Darmiyaan(1997)
Darmiyaan: In Between is a 1997 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Kalpana Lajmi. The film stars Kirron Kher as Zeenat Begum, a famous Bollywood actress in the 1940s, with Arif Zakaria as her son Immi and Tabu as Chitra. The story follows Zeenat's struggle to hide Immi, who is a eunuch, from the public and the film industry. It explores themes of shame, identity, and maternal love against the backdrop of 1940s Bombay cinema. The film received critical praise for its bold subject matter and performances, particularly Kirron Kher's portrayal of a conflicted mother. It was nominated for two awards and remains a notable example of Indian parallel cinema. The film was produced by Pan Pictures and has a runtime of 128 minutes.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- YouTube
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 1997
- Director
- Kalpana Lajmi
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 8m
- Rating
- 4.4/10
Storyline
A famous Bollywood actress in the 1940s hides her son from the world because he is a eunuch. She fears society's judgment will destroy her career. But when a kind young woman discovers the secret, everything changes. The mother must choose between her fame and her child's freedom.
“A mother's love knows no bounds.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Darmiyaan
Cast reunions in this film: Santosh Sivan & Tabu (2 films together).
Trivia
- The film was originally titled 'Maa' but was changed to 'Darmiyaan' before release.
- It was one of the few mainstream Hindi films of its time to center on a eunuch character's life and family.
- Director Kalpana Lajmi was known for socially conscious films and was the niece of painter and filmmaker Bhupen Khakhar.
- The movie features veteran actor Shabana Azmi, but it did not achieve major commercial success upon release.
- The story spans several decades, reflecting changes in the Indian film industry and societal attitudes.
- It includes themes of motherhood and identity that were uncommon in Bollywood dramas of the 1990s.
- The film's soundtrack was composed by Bhupen Hazarika, a renowned musician from Assam.