Govind Namdeo 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, All Movie Guide

In this Hindi language drama, a wealthy writer named Akash finds himself in a slump after his novel slumps, so he sets out for a small village where he can concentrate on his next project. Before he gets to his destination, however, his jeep breaks down, stranding him in a small town so out of date that even the phones don't work. At first, Akash spends most of his time trying to impress the locals with his big-time connections, but before long, he finds himself involved in the community project to build a road, as sparks begin to fly between him and a lovely girl who just happens to be the village mukhiya's daughter. Could this be a new beginning for Akash, or will the true intentions of his journey come back to haunt him? ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide

Based on a true story that sent shock waves through India in 1992, this drama concerns Sanwari (Nandita Das), a lower-caste woman with a husband, Sohan (Raghuvir Yadav), and two children, who is raising her family in a rural village. While it's generally Sanwari's nature to mind her own business and take care of her family, when she sees a neighbor woman being mistreated by an man from the city's upper caste, Sanwari is outraged and speaks out in public about the incident. Shobha (Deepti Naval), a social worker, is impressed by Sanwari's conviction and hires her as an assistant as the Indian government begins implementing a program to give greater rights and protection to Indian women. While she's timid at first, Sanwari soon comes to value her work as a feminist activist, but as she becomes more outspoken against sexism and abuse of caste position, she earns the enmity of many powerful men in the community. First Sanwari and her family are shunned by the local leaders, and then a group of men from the town's leadership take their revenge by subjecting Sanwari first to a savage beating and then to a gang rape. Sanwari, Shobha, and Sohan refuse to be intimidated or silenced, and when the local leadership refuses to bring Sanwari's attackers to justice, they bring the crime to the attention of the national media, leading people across the country to demand justice for Sanwari -- and for women all over India. Bawandar was directed and co-scripted by Jagmohan, an Indian filmmaker who has made a number of films in the United States under the name Jag Mundhra. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide