Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence(2001)
Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence is a 2001 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Kalpana Lajmi. The film stars Raveena Tandon as Durga, a lower-caste woman forced into a violent marriage with Sanjay Saikia, played by Sayaji Shinde. Sanjay Suri plays Sunil, the kind younger brother who becomes Durga's only friend. The story follows Durga's years of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of her wealthy, alcoholic husband. It depicts her struggle to protect her daughter Deepa from the same fate. The film is notable for Raveena Tandon's award-winning performance, which earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress. She performed the role without charging any fee. The film was produced by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) and released on 4 May 2001.
Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence (2001) OTT release date is not officially announced yet — GudVibe tracks its streaming availability daily.
Where to watch:Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 2001
- Director
- Kalpana Lajmi
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 10m
- Rating
- 4.4/10
Storyline
Durga, a poor woman from a lower caste, marries into the wealthy Saikia family. Her husband Sanjay is a violent alcoholic who abuses her daily. She finds comfort only in her brother-in-law Sunil. After years of torture, Sanjay kills Sunil. When Sanjay tries to force their 12-year-old daughter into marriage, Durga must find the courage to escape and build a new life.
“A story of silence, suffering, and strength.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
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Cast & Crew
Trivia
- The film was inspired by a real-life case of marital violence reported in the newspapers, which director Kalpana Lajmi felt compelled to adapt.
- Raveena Tandon won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance as Durga, a rare award for a mainstream actress in a hard-hitting drama.
- The movie's title 'Daman' translates to 'oppression' in Hindi, directly reflecting the central theme of the protagonist's suffering.
- It was shot extensively on location in Assam to authentically capture the setting of the wealthy tea-planter family.
- The film faced challenges getting a wide theatrical release because its dark subject matter was considered commercially risky.
- Sayaji Shinde, known for playing gentle roles, took on the antagonistic part of Sanjay to break from his usual image.
- Kalpana Lajmi dedicated the film to her mother, the classical singer Lalita Lajmi, highlighting the personal importance of the project.