Watch Rivaaz

Rivaaz is a Hindi drama film directed by Ashok Nanda, which explores the realities of female infanticide in rural India. The film stars Deepti Naval, Vijay Raaz, and Meghna Naidu in lead roles. The storyline of Rivaaz begins with the birth of a girl child in a small village in North India. However, her parents are unhappy with the birth of a girl child, as in their community, having a boy is considered more valuable. The practice of female infanticide is not new to the village, as most families prefer to dispose of their girl child to avoid shame and dishonor. The villagers justify their heinous acts under various cultural and religious beliefs, which reflect the deep-seated patriarchy of the society.

The film's protagonist, Rameshwar (Vijay Raaz), is a social worker who works towards educating the villagers about the importance of girl child and the ill-effects of female infanticide. He meets a woman, Indu (Deepti Naval), and her daughter Ritu, who run a small tea shop in the village. Indu's husband committed suicide after their son was stillborn, leaving them alone in the world. However, Indu decides to raise Ritu as a strong and independent woman, unlike most families in the village, who fear the birth of a girl child.

As the film progresses, Rameshwar falls in love with Indu, and their relationship becomes a symbol of hope for the villagers. Rameshwar's efforts to eradicate female infanticide bear fruit when the villagers begin to realize that daughters can be just as valuable as sons. However, their success is short-lived as a powerful community leader and his son manipulate the villagers into believing that the birth of a girl child is a curse.

The film's climax revolves around the community's decision to dispose of a newborn girl child, even after Indu and Rameshwar's efforts. It depicts the devastating consequences of blindly following customs and traditions that harm innocent lives.

Rivaaz is a thought-provoking film that sheds light on a pressing issue that continues to plague Indian society. It highlights the significance of empowering women and educating the masses to eradicate centuries-old practices of patriarchy and discrimination. The performances of the lead actors, especially Deepti Naval and Vijay Raaz, are noteworthy, and they have skillfully portrayed their characters' emotions and struggles.

In conclusion, Rivaaz is a powerful film that addresses a sensitive subject with sincerity and authenticity. It's a story that needs to be told, and the film deserves appreciation for tackling this issue head-on.