Ardh Satya
Encyclopedia
Ardh Satya is a 1983 film directed by Govind Nihalani
, his second offering after another angst-ridden movie Aakrosh
(1980). The screenplay of both movies was by Vijay Tendulkar
, the noted Marathi playwright; this one was based on the short story, 'Surya', by D.A. Panvalkar, and featured dialogues by Vasant Dev.
In this acclaimed cop-drama, the protagonist, played by Om Puri
, is a policeman struggling with the evils around him and with his own frailties. The film also stars Amrish Puri
, Smita Patil
, Naseeruddin Shah
, and Sadashiv Amrapurkar
, and features a theme poem by the Marathi writer Dilip Chitre
.
Ardh Satya won many awards and went on to become a landmark film in Indian film history. It is still considered to be one of the best cop films made in India.
), a police officer, meets Jyotsna Gokhale (Smita Patil
), a lecturer in literature at a local college. Anant is a sub-inspector with Bombay police. They seem to hit it off despite some initial skirmishing about ideology, and the friendship blossoms into a relationship.
Anant brings diligence, enthusiasm and a definite idealism to his job. But the job is harsh. There is a deep nexus between the local mafia, the cops and the (corrupt) politicians. Honest himself, Anant falls among the lower rungs of the police hierarchy and has very limited scope of authority on the state of affairs in his area.
When Anant arrests three common thugs, he is asked to meet with their boss, Rama Shetty (Sadashiv Amrapurkar
), a don in the local mafia. Anant refuses all of Rama Shetty's attempts to get his men out or to entice Anant to join him. Shetty decides to watch over Anant.
Some time thereafter, a meek fellow from a local slum lodges a complaint about some ruffians who harass his wife. Anant finds them, locks them up, and administers a severe beating. As a fallout, the local MLA asks for Anant to be suspended.
Anant's boss, inspector Haider Ali, explains to a mystified Anant that the ruffians were the MLA's henchmen, providers of muscle during elections and political rallies. Anant is defiant with a clear conscience (he did nothing wrong) and ready to face a tribunal. Haider Ali explains that it will hardly get that far. Tribunals are either delayed indefinitely or are rigged (by corrupt politicians), and suspension during that time is a permanent black mark on one's record (for no other politician will be willing to deal with such a troublemaker).
Anant is initially baffled but goes along with Haider's plan to bring in Desai, a mediator or middle-man {see Satyajit Ray
movie of same name} with connections in New Delhi, the "Centre" or national seat of power. Desai invokes higher powers to quietly cover up the matter. Anant's morals are shaken by this incident: He had to use means barely legal to uphold his righteous actions upon criminals.
Anant reflects upon his childhood. His father (Amrish Puri
) retired as a Faujdar (constable) in the village police force. His father was a hard and violent man, quick to slap or beat his wife on the slightest pretext. Anant recalls looking on and being powerless to intervene. When Anant graduates college, he expresses his desire to pursue higher education but is forced into joining the police force.
Things get interesting when Anant finds one of Rama Shetty's goons, badly beaten, burnt and left to die. Anant brings the man into the hospital and takes his statement where he names Rama Shetty and others who inflicted this assault. Anant storms into Rama Shetty's rooms to arrest him. But Shetty is unfazed. He makes a simple phone call to a high ranking cop who immediately asks Anant to back off. Anant cites the context and the overwhelming evidence but is still ordered to step away. A consternated, resentful and hapless Anant leaves, feeling intensely humiliated.
Haider Ali explains yet again: Rama Shetty plans to run for city council in the upcoming municipal elections and simply cannot afford to let a petty matter distract his ambitions. Anant is horrified and enraged, and takes to drinking. His relationship with Jyotsna suffers. He is distraught when he is sent to provide security cover for Rama Shetty's campaign rallies.
He suffers another career setback when he leads an assault team to capture a dangerous daku (armed bandit) in the hills outside Mumbai
, and the credit for the arrest is ultimately handed to another officer. His relationship deteriorates further and he takes to drinking fairly heavily. When Jyotsna confronts him, he confides in her. He has always tried to do the right thing, but his well-intentioned actions always seem to be thwarted by the tentacles of corruption in the police force or the political strata. In the alcoholic trans a prisoner is killed by Velankar in the jail when he uses 'third degree' and now Velankar is not only likely to be arrested and jailed, but also has to lose his entire career. Finally he surrenders to Rama Shetty for political protection. Now, in the clutches of Rama Shetty Velankar has to obey his every order and humiliation. The dirty conditions put by Rama Shetty angers Velankar and he kills Rama Shetty and then surrenders voluntarily to the Police for any punishment.
Jyotsna tries to be supportive and suggests he consider another career. (She is motivated by recent news stories about police brutality and has decided that she will not marry a police officer.)
Govind Nihalani said in an interview on Indian TV after winning the National Award that the "moment" had actually occurred just before filming, during the rehearsal, where actor Om Puri broke down and started weeping openly while reciting this poem; Nihalani reached out a hand to comfort him and then withdrew it feeling that "his anguish was too monumental for a mere touch to provide any solace". He subsequently instructed Smita Patil to play the scene like this, giving her his futile gesture.
When faced with a moral or existential choice of such magnitude, man is essentially alone and another cannot partake of his anguish or lessen his burden. The movie suggests that Anant refuses to break out of his situation, choosing to stand and face his nothingness — to continue being an 'impotent' police officer, rather than give up his uniform and regain his manliness and self-efficacy.
Not surprisingly, the thief succumbs. The fallout leaves Anant suspended and facing charges of excessive force. Anant tries to invoke Desai again, but Haider Ali backs off, saying the situation has become too hot for most anyone. Haider Ali suggests, somewhat reluctantly, that perhaps the newly elected Rama Shetty can help.
After several days of deliberation, Anant decides to visit Rama Shetty in his betting den.
Rama Shetty receives Anant cordially, and invites him into his inner sanctum alone — possibly aware that this righteous cop is finally on his knees before him. He agrees to help him only if Anant, in return, joins forces with him. Anant breaks out of his 'impotent' torpor and, infuriated, in a stunning and violent move, strangles Rama Shetty there and then.
The film ends with Anant turning himself in.
Govind Nihalani
Govind Nihalani is an Indian director, cinematographer, and also a screenwriter and film producer. He has been directing Hindi films since the late seventies, and worked in the television medium.- Biography :...
, his second offering after another angst-ridden movie Aakrosh
Aakrosh (1980 film)
Aakrosh is a 1980 Hindi arthouse film directed by auteur Govind Nihalani and written by renowned Marathi playwright Vijay Tendulkar.The film starred Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Amrish Puri in lead roles and went to win 1980 National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and several Filmfare...
(1980). The screenplay of both movies was by Vijay Tendulkar
Vijay Tendulkar
Vijay Tendulkar was a leading Indian playwright, movie and television writer, literary essayist, political journalist, and social commentator primarily in Marāthi...
, the noted Marathi playwright; this one was based on the short story, 'Surya', by D.A. Panvalkar, and featured dialogues by Vasant Dev.
In this acclaimed cop-drama, the protagonist, played by Om Puri
Om Puri
Om Puri is an Indian actor who has appeared in both mainstream Indian films and art films. His credits also include appearances in British and American films. He has received an honorary OBE.-Early life:...
, is a policeman struggling with the evils around him and with his own frailties. The film also stars Amrish Puri
Amrish Puri
Amrish Singh Puri , ; 22 June 1932 – 12 January 2005 was an iconic theater and film actor from India, who was a key player in the Indian theater movement that picked up steam in the 1960s. He worked with notable playwrights of the time, such as Satyadev Dubey and Girish Karnad...
, Smita Patil
Smita Patil
Smita Patil was an Indian actress of film, television and theatre. Regarded among the finest stage and film actresses of her times, Patil appeared in over 75 Hindi and Marathi films in a career that spanned just over a decade. During her career, she received two National Film Awards and a...
, Naseeruddin Shah
Naseeruddin Shah
Naseeruddin Shah is an Indian / Bollywood film actor and director. He is considered to be one of the finest actors of Indian cinema. In 2003, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions towards Indian cinema.-Early life:...
, and Sadashiv Amrapurkar
Sadashiv Amrapurkar
Sadashiv Amrapurkar is a popular actor who is well known for his performances in Marathi and Hindi films in the 1980s and 90s.He received the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role in 1991 for Sadak — the first time the award was instituted...
, and features a theme poem by the Marathi writer Dilip Chitre
Dilip Chitre
Dilip Purushottam Chitre was one of the foremost Indian writers and critics to emerge in the post Independence India. Apart from being a very important bilingual writer, writing in Marathi and English, he was also a painter and filmmaker.-Biography:He was born in Baroda on 17 September 1938...
.
Ardh Satya won many awards and went on to become a landmark film in Indian film history. It is still considered to be one of the best cop films made in India.
Plot
The film opens at a party where Anant Welankar (Om PuriOm Puri
Om Puri is an Indian actor who has appeared in both mainstream Indian films and art films. His credits also include appearances in British and American films. He has received an honorary OBE.-Early life:...
), a police officer, meets Jyotsna Gokhale (Smita Patil
Smita Patil
Smita Patil was an Indian actress of film, television and theatre. Regarded among the finest stage and film actresses of her times, Patil appeared in over 75 Hindi and Marathi films in a career that spanned just over a decade. During her career, she received two National Film Awards and a...
), a lecturer in literature at a local college. Anant is a sub-inspector with Bombay police. They seem to hit it off despite some initial skirmishing about ideology, and the friendship blossoms into a relationship.
Anant brings diligence, enthusiasm and a definite idealism to his job. But the job is harsh. There is a deep nexus between the local mafia, the cops and the (corrupt) politicians. Honest himself, Anant falls among the lower rungs of the police hierarchy and has very limited scope of authority on the state of affairs in his area.
When Anant arrests three common thugs, he is asked to meet with their boss, Rama Shetty (Sadashiv Amrapurkar
Sadashiv Amrapurkar
Sadashiv Amrapurkar is a popular actor who is well known for his performances in Marathi and Hindi films in the 1980s and 90s.He received the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role in 1991 for Sadak — the first time the award was instituted...
), a don in the local mafia. Anant refuses all of Rama Shetty's attempts to get his men out or to entice Anant to join him. Shetty decides to watch over Anant.
Some time thereafter, a meek fellow from a local slum lodges a complaint about some ruffians who harass his wife. Anant finds them, locks them up, and administers a severe beating. As a fallout, the local MLA asks for Anant to be suspended.
Anant's boss, inspector Haider Ali, explains to a mystified Anant that the ruffians were the MLA's henchmen, providers of muscle during elections and political rallies. Anant is defiant with a clear conscience (he did nothing wrong) and ready to face a tribunal. Haider Ali explains that it will hardly get that far. Tribunals are either delayed indefinitely or are rigged (by corrupt politicians), and suspension during that time is a permanent black mark on one's record (for no other politician will be willing to deal with such a troublemaker).
Anant is initially baffled but goes along with Haider's plan to bring in Desai, a mediator or middle-man {see Satyajit Ray
Satyajit Ray
Satyajit Ray was an Indian Bengali filmmaker. He is regarded as one of the greatest auteurs of 20th century cinema. Ray was born in the city of Kolkata into a Bengali family prominent in the world of arts and literature...
movie of same name} with connections in New Delhi, the "Centre" or national seat of power. Desai invokes higher powers to quietly cover up the matter. Anant's morals are shaken by this incident: He had to use means barely legal to uphold his righteous actions upon criminals.
Anant reflects upon his childhood. His father (Amrish Puri
Amrish Puri
Amrish Singh Puri , ; 22 June 1932 – 12 January 2005 was an iconic theater and film actor from India, who was a key player in the Indian theater movement that picked up steam in the 1960s. He worked with notable playwrights of the time, such as Satyadev Dubey and Girish Karnad...
) retired as a Faujdar (constable) in the village police force. His father was a hard and violent man, quick to slap or beat his wife on the slightest pretext. Anant recalls looking on and being powerless to intervene. When Anant graduates college, he expresses his desire to pursue higher education but is forced into joining the police force.
Things get interesting when Anant finds one of Rama Shetty's goons, badly beaten, burnt and left to die. Anant brings the man into the hospital and takes his statement where he names Rama Shetty and others who inflicted this assault. Anant storms into Rama Shetty's rooms to arrest him. But Shetty is unfazed. He makes a simple phone call to a high ranking cop who immediately asks Anant to back off. Anant cites the context and the overwhelming evidence but is still ordered to step away. A consternated, resentful and hapless Anant leaves, feeling intensely humiliated.
Haider Ali explains yet again: Rama Shetty plans to run for city council in the upcoming municipal elections and simply cannot afford to let a petty matter distract his ambitions. Anant is horrified and enraged, and takes to drinking. His relationship with Jyotsna suffers. He is distraught when he is sent to provide security cover for Rama Shetty's campaign rallies.
He suffers another career setback when he leads an assault team to capture a dangerous daku (armed bandit) in the hills outside Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, and the credit for the arrest is ultimately handed to another officer. His relationship deteriorates further and he takes to drinking fairly heavily. When Jyotsna confronts him, he confides in her. He has always tried to do the right thing, but his well-intentioned actions always seem to be thwarted by the tentacles of corruption in the police force or the political strata. In the alcoholic trans a prisoner is killed by Velankar in the jail when he uses 'third degree' and now Velankar is not only likely to be arrested and jailed, but also has to lose his entire career. Finally he surrenders to Rama Shetty for political protection. Now, in the clutches of Rama Shetty Velankar has to obey his every order and humiliation. The dirty conditions put by Rama Shetty angers Velankar and he kills Rama Shetty and then surrenders voluntarily to the Police for any punishment.
Jyotsna tries to be supportive and suggests he consider another career. (She is motivated by recent news stories about police brutality and has decided that she will not marry a police officer.)
Cast
- Om PuriOm PuriOm Puri is an Indian actor who has appeared in both mainstream Indian films and art films. His credits also include appearances in British and American films. He has received an honorary OBE.-Early life:...
- Sub inspector Anant Velankar - Smita PatilSmita PatilSmita Patil was an Indian actress of film, television and theatre. Regarded among the finest stage and film actresses of her times, Patil appeared in over 75 Hindi and Marathi films in a career that spanned just over a decade. During her career, she received two National Film Awards and a...
- Jyotsna Gokhale - Amrish PuriAmrish PuriAmrish Singh Puri , ; 22 June 1932 – 12 January 2005 was an iconic theater and film actor from India, who was a key player in the Indian theater movement that picked up steam in the 1960s. He worked with notable playwrights of the time, such as Satyadev Dubey and Girish Karnad...
- Anant's Father - Naseeruddin ShahNaseeruddin ShahNaseeruddin Shah is an Indian / Bollywood film actor and director. He is considered to be one of the finest actors of Indian cinema. In 2003, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions towards Indian cinema.-Early life:...
- Mike Lobo - Sadashiv AmrapurkarSadashiv AmrapurkarSadashiv Amrapurkar is a popular actor who is well known for his performances in Marathi and Hindi films in the 1980s and 90s.He received the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role in 1991 for Sadak — the first time the award was instituted...
- Rama Shetty - Shafi InamdarShafi InamdarShafi Inamdar was an Indian actor. He started his film career with the film Vijeta and continued in Ardh Satya. He acted in a number of television serials including Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi. Shafi married actress Bhakti Barve. He died on 13 March 1996...
- Inspector Hyder Ali - Achyut Potdar - Inspector Patil
Awards
- 1983 Filmfare Best Movie AwardFilmfare Best Movie AwardThe Filmfare Best Film Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.The award was first given in 1954. Here is a list of the award winners and the nominees of the respective years...
- 1983 Filmfare Best Director AwardFilmfare Best Director AwardThe Filmfare Best Director Award is one of the main awards presented given by the annual Filmfare Awards to recognise directors working in the Hindi film Industry. It was first presented in 1954 in the inaugural year.-Superlatives:...
: Govind NihalaniGovind NihalaniGovind Nihalani is an Indian director, cinematographer, and also a screenwriter and film producer. He has been directing Hindi films since the late seventies, and worked in the television medium.- Biography :... - 1983 Filmfare Best Supporting Actor AwardFilmfare Best Supporting Actor AwardThe Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a male actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
: Sadashiv AmrapurkarSadashiv AmrapurkarSadashiv Amrapurkar is a popular actor who is well known for his performances in Marathi and Hindi films in the 1980s and 90s.He received the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role in 1991 for Sadak — the first time the award was instituted... - 1983 Filmfare Best Screenplay AwardFilmfare Best Screenplay AwardThe Filmfare Best Screenplay Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.-Superlatives:Most AwardsSalim-Javed - 3Basu Chatterjee - 2Mani Ratnam - 2Vijay Tendulkar - 2Rajkumar Hirani - 2...
: Vijay TendulkarVijay TendulkarVijay Tendulkar was a leading Indian playwright, movie and television writer, literary essayist, political journalist, and social commentator primarily in Marāthi... - 1983 Filmfare Best Story AwardFilmfare Best Story AwardThe Filmfare Award for Best Story is an given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a writer who wrote a film's story.-1950s:* 1955 Mukhram Sharma - Aulad...
: S.D. Panwalker - 1984 National Film Award for Best ActorNational Film Award for Best ActorThe National Film Award for Best Actor is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actor who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry.-Background:The Directorate of Film Festivals makes awards annually in several categories...
: Om PuriOm PuriOm Puri is an Indian actor who has appeared in both mainstream Indian films and art films. His credits also include appearances in British and American films. He has received an honorary OBE.-Early life:... - 1983: Karlovy Vary International Film FestivalKarlovy Vary International Film FestivalThe Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in July in Karlovy Vary , Czech Republic. The Karlovy Vary Festival gained worldwide recognition over the past years and has become one of Europe's major film events....
: Best Actor: Om PuriOm PuriOm Puri is an Indian actor who has appeared in both mainstream Indian films and art films. His credits also include appearances in British and American films. He has received an honorary OBE.-Early life:...
The existential crisis
In a pivotal scene, from which the movie derives its name, Jyotsna gives Anant a poem to read to him from a book that she is carrying, Ardh Satya {see below for transliteration). Anant begins to read the poem aloud; as the meaning sinks in, his smile vanishes; he continues reading in a more subdued and sombre tone. Filmed in a single long take, this is one of the finest moments world cinema has shown portraying the effect of art upon man in modern cinema (compare to Apres Nous). Later in the film, a cathartic moment occurs symbolizing the poem, where Anant breaks down crying. Jyotsna reaches out a hand to comfort him but then withdraws it without touching him, in one of the most poignant moments of cinema; it is as if she realised that he is "within this Chakravyuh, or Circle of Deceit" alone and needs to find his inner strength to break out.Govind Nihalani said in an interview on Indian TV after winning the National Award that the "moment" had actually occurred just before filming, during the rehearsal, where actor Om Puri broke down and started weeping openly while reciting this poem; Nihalani reached out a hand to comfort him and then withdrew it feeling that "his anguish was too monumental for a mere touch to provide any solace". He subsequently instructed Smita Patil to play the scene like this, giving her his futile gesture.
When faced with a moral or existential choice of such magnitude, man is essentially alone and another cannot partake of his anguish or lessen his burden. The movie suggests that Anant refuses to break out of his situation, choosing to stand and face his nothingness — to continue being an 'impotent' police officer, rather than give up his uniform and regain his manliness and self-efficacy.
The crisis
Things go completely out of control one night soon after as a small-time thief, accused of stealing a small radio, is brought into custody. Anant is very drunk, angry and frustrated. He delivers a shocking and brutal beating to the thief — while continuing to drink — accusing him of "stealing the legitimate Rights of Others" {trans.: "Doosron ka haq churata hai, sala!"}.Not surprisingly, the thief succumbs. The fallout leaves Anant suspended and facing charges of excessive force. Anant tries to invoke Desai again, but Haider Ali backs off, saying the situation has become too hot for most anyone. Haider Ali suggests, somewhat reluctantly, that perhaps the newly elected Rama Shetty can help.
After several days of deliberation, Anant decides to visit Rama Shetty in his betting den.
Rama Shetty receives Anant cordially, and invites him into his inner sanctum alone — possibly aware that this righteous cop is finally on his knees before him. He agrees to help him only if Anant, in return, joins forces with him. Anant breaks out of his 'impotent' torpor and, infuriated, in a stunning and violent move, strangles Rama Shetty there and then.
The film ends with Anant turning himself in.
| Theme poem Ardh Satya by Dilip Chitre (Hindi) | English translation |
|---|---|
| Chakravyuh mein ghusne se pehle, | Before entering the circle of deceit, |
| kaun tha main aur kaisa tha, | who I was, and what I was, |
| yeh mujhe yaad hi na rahega. | I would not remember. |
| Chakravyuh mein ghusne ke baad, | After entering the circle of deceit, |
| mere aur chakravyuh ke beech, | (there was) between me and the circle, |
| sirf ek jaanleva nikat’ta thi, | only a deathly intimacy |
| iska mujhe pata hi na chalega. | that I never realised. |
| Chakravyuh se nikalne ke baad, | After leaving the circle of deceit, |
| main mukt ho jaoon bhale hi, | even if I am set free, |
| phir bhi chakravyuh ki rachna mein | the design of the circle of deceit, |
| farq hi na padega. | will hardly be different. |
| Marun ya maarun, | Whether I kill, or die, |
| maara jaoon ya jaan se maardun. | Am killed, or kill (the other) |
| iska faisla kabhi na ho paayega. | these questions will never be decided. |
| Soya hua aadmi jab | When a sleeping man |
| neend se uthkar chalna shuru karta hai, | awakes and steps forth, |
| tab sapnon ka sansar use, | then the world of dreams |
| dobara dikh hi na paayega. | may never be seen again (by him). |
| Us roshni mein jo nirnay ki roshni hai | In that, the light of Decision, |
| sab kuchh s’maan hoga kya? | will everything be level ? |
| Ek palde mein napunsakta, | On one tray (of a balance) is Impotence, |
| ek palde mein paurush, | and on the other is Manhood, |
| aur theek taraazu ke kaante par | and exactly at the needle point, |
| ardh satya. | a half-truth. |