Watch Kajarya

Kajarya is a 2013 Indian drama film directed by Madhureeta Anand. The movie stars Meenu Hooda, Ridhima Sud, Kuldeep Ruhil. The film examines the disturbing practice of female infanticide in several parts of rural India. The story follows Meena, a young journalist from Delhi, who enters a remote village in the Indian state of Haryana to investigate the ritualistic killing of newborn baby girls.

The movie takes place in a small village, where Kajarya, a middle-aged woman is believed to possess supernatural powers. The villagers bring their babies to her to seek blessings, hoping that their child will be healthy and prosper. However, Kajarya's true intentions are far from benevolent- she uses these occasions to select newborn baby girls, which she later kills by drowning them in the nearby pond. She believes that this will save the village from drought and other calamities.

Meena, the protagonist of the movie, is a young and ambitious journalist, who is fascinated by the rural-urban dichotomy. She aims to showcase the plight of rural women in her documentary film, but her initial attempts are met with hostility and resistance from the villagers, who are wary of outsiders. Meena finds an unlikely ally in a young girl named Kajarya, who is pregnant with a child and is looking for a way out of her dark and miserable existence.

The movie explores several themes, including patriarchy, superstition, and casteism, that are prevalent in rural India. The lives of women in rural India are harshly dictated, and they are limited to domestic chores and child-rearing. Kajarya portrays the harsh reality of women who are often coerced into killing their newborn daughters due to a deep-seated patriarchal mindset. The film shows how the act of female infanticide, a long-standing tradition in many parts of India, is both encouraged and stigmatized by society.

The cinematography is spectacular, and the director does an excellent job of showcasing the rural landscape, evoking empathy with the audience towards the protagonists' plight. The film's music beautifully complements the visuals and enhances the emotional resonance of the scenes. Performances by the entire cast are commended, with the notable performance being that of Meenu Hooda, who portrays the role of Meena, precisely showcasing the character's curiosity and apprehension towards the unfamiliar culture.

The movie has a dark and eerie tone that underlines the sense of foreboding and malice that pervades the village. The audience is constantly treated to visuals of the omnipresent barn owl that is the harbinger of Kajarya's arrival, reinforcing the sinister aura of the film. The climax of the movie is unexpected and unsettling, urging the viewers to reflect on the atrocities committed in the name of tradition and culture.

In conclusion, Kajarya is a powerful and penetrating film that sheds light on a significant problem that is prevalent in rural India. The movie offers an unapologetic portrayal of the darkness that pervades the lives of women, highlighting the consequences of forcing gender stereotypes and the need to break the shackles of inequality. The film is an essential watch for anyone who cares about gender equality and rural empowerment. It challenges the viewers to reflect on the questions that it raises, and the impact of this movie will resonate with the viewers to awaken the greater good in them.

Kajarya is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.