Ashutosh Rana Movies

In India, "Hijras" are eunuchs, or transgendered people who resemble men but have the sexual characteristics of both genders. While hijras are widely regarded bearers of good luck and are often asked to bless weddings and newborn children, they are also often discriminated against and often live on the outskirts of society. The drama Shabnam Mousi was inspired by the true story of one hijra who overcame prejudice to launch a successful career in politics. Shabnam (Ashutosh Rana) was born to a wealthy and privileged family, but when a band of eunuchs came to bless him not long after he was born, they discovered he too was a hijra, and the infant was sent to live with others of his kind. Shabnam still has the love and support of his family, but not all the other hijras are so lucky, and one of the members of the group (Vishwajeet Padhan) kills Shabnam's brother in a fit of rage. Shabnam is blamed for the crime, and goes underground, relocating to a town where he comes to the rescue of a woman being sexually assaulted by a group of men. Shabnam's heroic act makes him a minor celebrity in the village, and he decides to use his new recognition to help drive a corrupt politician (Govind Namdeo) from office in an upcoming election. But will Shabnam's new life in politics raise questions about his old life as a fugitive? ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Annarth follows brothers Jimmy (Sunil Shetty) and Raghav (Ashutosh Rana), the elder of the two, who has recently killed a member of his own gang in secret. Thinking that Bandya (Vinod Kambli) was murdered by their rival gang, Jimmy (Shetty) rushes to take revenge. It doesn't take long for a full-blown gang war to erupt, and Jimmy, along with his friend Iqbal Danger (Sanjay Dutt), becomes caught in the crosshairs. The film was directed by Ravi Dewan and also features Tinnu Anand, Preeti Jhangiani, and Johnny Lever. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Bored and stifled with her life in the U.S., Anjali dreams of a life in India, with visions of the Devi Maa Durga temple, and of warrior men riding on horseback. She and her mother go to a pandit to inquire about the nature of her visions, and Anjali is told that these images are from a past life, and that she must travel to India to settle the matter. The only problem is that Anjali's father will only permit her to make the trip if she marries the man he has chosen for her. Refusing to lay her fate in his hands, she runs away and takes up with a gang of car thieves, so her journey into her previous life can begin. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi