Watch Anahat

Anahat is a 2003 Indian drama film directed by Amol Palekar, starring Sonali Bendre, Anant Nag, and Deepti Naval in lead roles. The film tells the story of four generations of women in a Maharashtrian Brahmin family in different eras of Indian history. The movie begins with the story of Kaveri (Sonali bendre), a contemporary woman who is very successful in her professional life but not as lucky in her personal life. She is married to a man who does not appreciate her and they do not have a child in their marriage. She becomes curious about her family's history and it leads her to explore the lives of the women who came before her.

Through a series of flashbacks, the movie explores three other women in the family, starting with Kaveri's great-grandmother. The first story is about the great-grandmother's arranged marriage to a much older man when she is just a child. She grows up to be a strong, independent woman, but she struggles with her emotions and the restrictions that her society puts on her. She eventually falls in love with her husband's young nephew, but when her affair is discovered, she is forced to leave her family and live on her own.

The second story is about Kaveri’s grandmother who is the central character of the movie. She is also married in an arranged marriage, but she and her husband, who is a freedom fighter, have a strong and loving relationship. But when her husband is arrested and sentenced to life in prison for his political activities, she is left to raise their children alone. In desperation, she turns to her childhood friend and love, but he is unable to provide her with the support she needs. She eventually becomes a strong and capable woman, but her heart remains broken.

The third story is about Kaveri’s mother, a free-spirited woman who rebels against her mother's strict Brahminical traditions and falls in love with a musician who has different values. She marries him and moves to a new city, but her husband is unable to provide her with stability and security. When she discovers that he has been cheating on her, she leaves him and returns to her family, but she is unable to escape from the judgments and prejudices of her society.

As Kaveri delves deeper into her family's history, she learns about the struggles and triumphs of the women who came before her. She finds solace in their resilience and strength, and she decides to break free from the expectations of her society and follow her own path.

The movie Anahat deals with the complex issues of tradition, patriarchy, and female identity in Indian society. It presents a multi-generational story of women who are forced to confront their own limitations and the restrictions imposed on them by their society, yet they find ways to survive and thrive. The film is beautifully shot and directed, with excellent performances by the entire cast, especially Deepti Naval, who delivers a compelling portrayal of Kaveri's grandmother. The music and songs of the movie are soulful and capture the essence of Marathi culture.

In conclusion, Anahat is a must-watch movie for those who love historical dramas and also for those who want to understand the complexities of Indian society and the struggles of its women. It offers a rare glimpse into the lives of women from different eras and how they have navigated the challenges of their times. The movie leaves a lasting impact on the viewer and raises important questions about identity and freedom.