Watch Adhikar - Bengali

Adhikar is an intense Bengali drama film directed by Narayan Ghosh and released in the year 1986. The film features Soumitra Chatterjee and Sanghamitra Banerjee in lead roles, and notable supporting characters are played by Sumitra Mukherjee, Dilip Roy, and Biplab Chatterjee. The story revolves around a young and idealistic lawyer, Amar Mitra (played by Soumitra Chatterjee), who is driven to fight for the rights of the poor and oppressed. He is married to a journalist, Shobha (played by Sanghamitra Banerjee), who shares his passion for social justice. Together, they represent the voice of the people who are ignored and exploited by the powerful and corrupt.

The film opens with a glimpse of the squalor and deprivation that characterizes the slums of Kolkata. It is here that Amar and Shobha first encounter the destitute and uneducated masses who are barely surviving on the fringes of society. Despite the odds against them, Amar and Shobha are determined to make a difference in the lives of these people. They are deeply committed to the idea that justice and equality are not just abstract concepts but practical realities that must be fought for.

Over the course of the film, we see Amar taking on various cases that highlight the social and economic inequalities that exist in society. He battles corrupt politicians, powerful businessmen, and unscrupulous landlords who are all bent on maintaining the status quo. In one case, he takes on the cause of a group of poor farmers who have been exploited by a wealthy businessman. In another, he represents a group of workers who have been cheated out of their wages by their employer. Through these cases, the film shows how the law can be a tool for justice and how it can be used to empower the marginalized.

The film also explores the personal lives of Amar and Shobha. They are both driven by a sense of idealism, but their methods and priorities differ. Shobha is more pragmatic and sees the importance of compromise and strategic thinking. Amar, on the other hand, is a purist who sees the law as a moral imperative and refuses to make any compromises. Their conflicting approaches create tension in their marriage and threaten to undermine their shared goals.

The film builds up to a dramatic climax where Amar takes on his most challenging case yet - that of a young girl who has been raped and murdered. He is up against a corrupt police force and a judicial system that is biased against the poor. The case becomes a test of Amar's integrity and his commitment to justice. It also tests his marriage to Shobha, who begins to question his single-minded focus on the law.

Adhikar is a powerful commentary on the state of justice and democracy in India. It presents a searing critique of the exploitation and oppression that define the lives of the poor and marginalized. The film is also a tribute to the enduring human spirit that refuses to be weighed down by the forces of inequality and injustice. The performances by Soumitra Chatterjee and Sanghamitra Banerjee are outstanding, bringing alive the complex characters of Amar and Shobha. The film is a must-watch for anyone interested in social justice and the role of law in promoting a just and equitable society.

In conclusion, Adhikar is a classic Bengali film that remains relevant today. It embodies the spirit of resistance and the quest for justice that defines the best of Indian cinema.