Naukar Ki Kameez(1999)
Naukar Ki Kameez (The Servant's Shirt) is a 1999 Hindi drama film directed by Mani Kaul. It stars Samir Ahmed as Santu, a low-level clerk, with Anu Joseph as his wife. The story follows Santu, who is forced to perform household chores at his officer's house every morning before reporting to his government office job. Set in a small Indian town, the film examines the subtle and overt power dynamics between the upper class and the lower class. It won three awards for its direction and adaptation. The film premiered in India on September 30, 1999.
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 1999
- Director
- Mani Kaul
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 1h 44m
- Rating
- 4.1/10
Storyline
Santu is a young clerk in a small-town government office. Every morning, his boss forces him to come to his house and do chores. Santu wants to be treated with dignity, but everyone around him sees him as a servant. He must find a way to survive without losing himself.
“The shirt you wear defines you.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Trivia
- The film was shot on 16mm film to give it a raw, documentary-like feel.
- It was based on a short story by the famous Hindi writer Phanishwar Nath Renu.
- Mani Kaul used non-professional actors from rural areas for many roles.
- The title translates to 'The Servant's Shirt' and symbolizes social inequality.
- It premiered at the International Film Festival of India but had a limited theatrical release.
- The film's sparse dialogue relies heavily on visual storytelling and ambient sounds.
- Mani Kaul was known for his avant-garde style, which made this film less mainstream.