Taking the viewer, into the cast and poverty-riddled Munger District of Bihar, Gautam lays a platform for a raw entry to the brutal hardships of rural India, in an emphatic fashion. Naurangia's spirited resistance to the atrocities of tyrants, taking-on, the challenges thrown by a heartless society, played brilliantly by Naseeruddin Shah; his spirited, silent but strong wife Rama; played equally brilliantly by Shabana Azmi, ably, for lack of a more appropriate term, by Hari Babu (Mohan Agashe) and his powerful Zameendar father, played by ever impressive Utpal Dutt, provide crushing impetus to the oppressed farmers and laborers seeking self-identity, under the able leadership of Mukhia, played ever brilliant Om Puri, under the guidance of Headmaster, mercilessly murdered when Hari Babu loses local election.
The plight of the down-trodden, given hope by the government, yet crushed by the local and state politicians, hits the viewer hard.
Appropriately, brilliant performances of leading stars, Naseer & Shabana, the powerful presentation of Gautam, are recognized at national and international levels.
