White Rainbow Hindi Movie
'Shwet'-White Rainbow directed by Dharan Mandrayar, nephew of late Sivaji Ganesan is a shocking revelation on the plight of the widows in Vrindavanm, which is euphemistically termed a haven for them.
The protagonist Priya Giri (Sonali Kulkarni) loses her husband in an accident. The sudden shock results in her miscarriage and when her in-laws whisper 'Vrindavan,' she leaves home on her own to find out more about this much talked place.
Vrindavan better known as the city of widows is where widows are literally dumped by their families. With no financial support or family ties for emotional strength, these women eke out a living that is sub-human. Many find themselves exploited sexually and for no better choice, they continue to endure their life of misery.
At Vrindavan, Priya meets Roop Mai, (Amardeep Jha) who has been abandoned by her children. In fact all the widows here are called 'Mai' meaning mother but unfortunately its meaning seems to have been lost.
Roop Mai says to Priya, ''We have Gangai Mai, Jamuna Mai and Dharthi Mai but when it comes to a woman, the word Mai becomes an irony.''
While most of the widows literally sing for their supper, Roop Mai retains her self-pride and refuses to take help from the ashrams. And some like Deepti, (Amrutha Subhash) a teenaged widow are forced into prostitution by Pramod Panda of the ashram.
Gradually a bond grows between Priya and Roop Mai and Priya takes it upon herself to better the plight of the widows. Deepti joins hands with them and so does Mala, (Shameem Sheikh) another of their ilk, disfigured though by her mother-in-law.
Priya's dream is to build a haven for these women where their creative skills could be put to better use for a living.
As a first step Priya gets them to apply for the widow pension they were entitled to from the government. The scene where the three women walk out of the office with their cheques is poignant.
An old building is acquired which in time gets transformed into a medical clinic for widows. The women assist Dr. Vikram, who has volunteered into the project after hearing about Priya from a common friend. Four women from different backgrounds yet bound by a common stigma seem to have found a new meaning in life.
Their joy is short lived when Mala becomes pregnant. She is carrying the child of the Pandit in whose house she was working. Tragedy occurs when she bleeds to death.
Deepti is unable to break herself free from the clutches of Pramod panda who forces her into prostitution. Not one to give up, Priya rescues her and brings Deepti home. That night Roop Mai passes away in her sleep.
The story though ends on a positive note without being predictable.
Sonali Kulkarni as Priya has done a good job. In many instances her acting shows maturity. The 'Dil Chahta Hai' girl has proved her versatility once again. Amardeep Jha as Roop Mai is the pillar of strength in the story. She eggs Priya with words of advice and when Priya holds herself guilty for Mala's death, Roop Mai's words provide succor. It is a mother-daughter kind of relationship the duo share.
Amrutha Subhash as young Deepti is telling, especially in her expressions when she stands helpless and resigned to her fate. Sometimes young and bubbly at other times scared and scarred. She is a promising actress to look out for. Shameem Sheikh in the role of the quiet Mala plays her part with sensitivity. An unusual theme has been tackled well and the new faces gave the story more credibility.
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