Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women

'Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women' is one of the most disturbing Hindi films. It presents several taboo issues and graphic images such as: A graphic image of child being drowned in milk (female infanticide), gang-rape, serial rape, a Hindu priest engaging in a homosexual affair, incest, polygamous marriage, human slaughter, bestiality and frontal nudity. I'm surprised that it didn't create much controversy considering the subject matter. Actually, I wish it did because then more people would have watched it. It has a relevant message, especially to those who oppose having female infants and women's rights.

It's one of the bravest pieces of Indian cinema indeed but I wonder what director Manish Jha's intentions were were. Probably he wanted to get his message through to those many who see their daughters as burdens. Nevertheless, he tells his story well and a majority of audience will stay in shock long after the end credits have rolled. It doesn't leave a good taste but it shouldn't. Many people seem to criticize the film for being regressive but that is a ridiculous statement. In a country where even some of the biggest celebrities and leaders express their preference for a male child, one can only wonder how people who look up to them feel.

Tulip Joshi gives a restrained heartbreaking performance. The audience really empathizes with her character's agony and it really requires a fine actress to play such a difficult part and a newcomer like Joshi does a superb job. The rest of the cast is adequate.

'Matrubhoomi' is thought provoking and requires a lot of courage from the audience but it is an important film that should be seen. Kudos to Manish Jha and his crew for taking such a risk. One of the bravest pieces of recent Indian cinema.

A very shocking drama set in a near-future rural village in India, where due to peoples desire for a son has dis-balanced the area's sex ratio and subsequently the female population has totally perished. Movie begins with the shocking scene of a father killing a new born female child by drowning her in a tank filled with milk and praying to grant him a son next year. This very first scene explains how desperate are the village people for son, and its a customary rule there to ignore(murder) a female child at all cost. After this scene the rest of the movie depicts the aftermath of such wicked trend, and which is the issue of this movie.

I prefer not say more, you better find out yourself. However I should warn you, there are some scene/moments in the film which are quite intense for some viewers.

Rating 8/10.

Manish has definitely brought about a revolution in Story telling in India. With Matrubhoomi not only has he challenged the very fabric of Indian Movie making but also the residing fear in Indians to accept and admit their own apathy towards their own wisdom and creed.

Indian cinema has long been manifested, rather infected with a megalomania of movie making thus fooling the audience into illusions of happiness and so called feel-good-factor. On the contrary, here is a movie that is brilliantly directed to not only present the an imagination perfectly, but also telling the story absolutely pertinent to fathomable future.

Truly this cinema not only shows the harsh realities of female infanticide but also displays a sublime love and purity of womanhood to her kind. It also blends the cruelty of men responsible for female infanticide with a sympathy that veneers their characters due to lack of adulthood.

Manish Jha has successfully entered the shock art cinema and guys believe me we have our own , Desi version directors like Gasper Noe, Quintin Tarintino or Bernardo Bertolucci. A perfect recipe!!!!!!!

First of all let us ponder as to why we let this type of cinematic creations pass off without minimal considerations...why?? Its really a shame that in the ensuing cinematic race where only 'super star, sex and commercial profit' hold command, these type of 'sensitive, real' cinematic creations lag far behind in terms of due recognition (at least in sense of viewership response). In fact, I had the opportunity to watch the movie only a month ago.. 11 years after its release and certainly there would be many who are still deprived of the opportunity to watch this movie. Well, in due appreciation to the unconventionally superb cinematic treatment of a sensitive social issue, I would recommend everyone interested in viewing real cinema to have a shot at "Matrubhoomi: A Nation without Women" and enrich themselves with a sublime experience. It has no doubt turned "Bandit Queen" upside down!! Just go for it..

I saw this movie 3 years ago on Motovun film festival in Croatia. This movie is cut in my memory and believe me you won't forget this movie this easy.

This movie was competition Amnesty International movie award for movies which theme was human rights and encourage protection of human rights.

According to recent UNESCO report, in population of India in some 50 million women short,due to gender discrimination. The film is set in future, village of Matrubhoomi, where due to rampant female infanticide( killing of all female babies), women are practically extinct.

Story is about a father and his five sons are frustrated because they are not able to find a bride.When A family priest finds a beautiful girl in faraway village.Her father is happy to sell her.She is taken to Matrubi,where she is married to the five brothers,all five of whom,including father, exercise their conjugal rights in turn.

Movie is one of the saddest movie I ever saw.It's so brutal,so real and very shocking.I highly recommend this movie.