Curated for Pride Library, University of Western Ontorio, Canada
Copyright Sridhar Rangayan, 2009
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DISCLAIMER: All interpretations and readings is by the author. All the images and videos on this site have been used only for reference, collated from sources on the internet.
CREDITS
Title: Mandi
English Title: Brothel
Year: 1983
Language: Hindi
Genre: Feature / Arthouse
Director: Shyam Benegal
SYNOPSIS
For years an aging Rukminibai has been the Madame of a Bordello in a small town in Maharashtra, India. One day she gets the news that she now has a new landlord in Mr. Gupta, whose son, Sushil, is to marry shortly. Lead by City Councillor, Shantidevi, the people in this town demand that this bordello be moved elsewhere, preferably on the outskirts of the town, and they do succeed, compelling Rukmini to move with her women to their new location, which happens to be near the Dargah of Baba Karak Shah. Ironically, this attracts a lot of people, and the patronage to Rukmini's bordello increases. Then complications set in when Sushil refuses to marry his father's choice, child-like Malti, and wants to marry Zeenat - a prostitute who resides with Rukmini. Watch how events unfold against a bordello that is already moved once, and maybe again be re-located until such time Sushil gives up his love for Zeenat.
QUEER NOTES
As with all heads of the brothels, Madam of the brothel Rukminibai is also supposed to have a motherly relationship with her inmates. But she has a special affection for Zeenat, though their relationship is never spelt out. There is one particular scene which suggests lesbian overtones where Rukminibai spends the night with Zeenat on her bed, both locked in an embrace.
ACTOR/S IN QUEER ROLE
Shabana Azmi as Rukminidevi and Smita Patil as Zeenat (female bonding / homoeroticism)
LINKS
Imdb: www.imdb.com/title/tt0085896
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandi_(film)
queer portrayals in Indian films