Ankur (The Seedling), directed by Shyam Benegal, is a depiction of rural India and some primitive social institutions. In feudal Andhra Pradesh (a South Indian province), Surya (Anant Nag) - the city educated son of a landlord - is forced by his father to man the fields. He is also married off to a minor girl, and as in most cases of child marriage, has to live alone, until his wife attains puberty. While staying in their village farmhouse, Surya gets physically attracted to one of his servants Lakshmi (Azmi) - the wife of a deaf and mute potter (Sadhu Meher).
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Much to the displeasure of the local priest, he breaks the caste barrier by having food made by her. But even as he tries to accost Lakshmi, she spurns his initial advances. However, when her husband disappears after being humiliated severely for a petty theft in the fields, Lakshmi succumbs to Surya's promises and has a physical relation with him. Meanwhile Surya's wife comes of age and arrives to stay with him. Surya keeps her in the dark about his affair, but realises that he has impregnated Lakshmi. To save his social reputation - and marriage - Surya refuses to acknowledge the child and asks Lakshmi to get an abortion. Things come to a boil, when the potter comes back home as suddenly as he had disappeared.
The review of this Movie prepared by Biswa
