Mandi [translation: Market Place] is a 1983 Hindi movie directed by Shyam Benegal.
The film is a satirical comedy on politics and prostitution, and stars Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah and Smita Patil. Based on a classic Urdu short story Aanandi by Pakistani writer Ghulam Abbas, the film narrates the story of a brothel, situated in the heart of a city, an area that some politicians want for its prime locality.
The film won the 1984 National Film Award for Best Art Direction for Nitish Roy. It was selected Indian Panorama at Filmostav, Bombay 1984, and was invited to the Los Angeles Exposition [FILMEX], the Hong Kong International Film Festival 1984, and London Film Festival 1983 .
For years an aging Rukmini Bai [Shabana Azmi] has been the Madame of a brothel in Hyderabad, India. One day she gets the news that she now has a new landlord in Mr. Gupta [Kulbhushan Kharbanda], whose daughter is to marry the mayors son Sushil, 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 Rukminis bordello increases. Then complications set in when Sushil refuses to marry his fathers choice, child-like Malti, and wants to marry Zeenat [Smita Patil] - a prostitute, not entirely by choice and seeking for a better existence, who resides with Rukmini.
Sound track
The soundtrack features four songs, composed by Vanraj Bhatia, with original lyrics by Mir Taqi Mir, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Insha, Makhdoom Mohiuddin and Sarwar Danda.
*Chubbati Hai – Asha Bhosle
*Zabaane Badalti Hain – Asha Bhosle
*Shamsheer Bhari Na Maang Gazab – Preeti Sagar
*Ishq Ke Shole – Asha Bhosle
Source :
Mandi Wiki Page
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