Mrityudand(1997)
Mrityudand is a 1997 Hindi drama film directed and produced by Prakash Jha. The cast includes Madhuri Dixit, Shabana Azmi, Ayub Khan, Om Puri, and Mohan Joshi. Set in the village of Bilaspur, Bihar, the story follows Ketki, a young wife whose husband becomes abusive after falling under the influence of a corrupt contractor. The film depicts the women's struggle against domestic violence and systemic oppression. It was praised for its realistic portrayal of rural social issues and strong performances. Mrityudand won three Screen Awards, including Best Actress for Madhuri Dixit. The film was released on 11 July 1997 and was declared tax-free in Mumbai theatres.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Prime Video
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 1997
- Director
- Prakash Jha
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 34m
- Rating
- 5.3/10
Storyline
Ketki is a loving wife in a small village. Her husband Vinay gets drawn into the world of a powerful bully named Tirpat Singh. Vinay becomes abusive and alcoholic. Ketki must find the courage to stand up against her husband and the entire corrupt system. She joins other women to fight for their freedom.
“Silence is death. Courage is life.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Mrityudand
Cast reunions in this film: Om Puri & Shabana Azmi (6 films together), Om Puri & Harish Patel (4 films together), Om Puri & Mohan Agashe (4 films together), Om Puri & Mohan Joshi (3 films together), Shilpa Shirodkar & Madhuri Dixit (2 films together), and Shilpa Shirodkar & Mohan Agashe (2 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title 'Mrityudand' translates to 'Death Sentence' in English, reflecting its themes of justice.
- It was one of Madhuri Dixit's first films where she played a strong, socially conscious lead role.
- Director Prakash Jha is known for political dramas, but this was an early mainstream commercial attempt.
- The movie was shot on location in Bihar, capturing rural settings authentically.
- Shabana Azmi and Om Puri, known for parallel cinema, joined the cast to support its social message.
- It underperformed at the box office initially but later gained a cult following for its feminist themes.
- The story was inspired by real-life women's movements against corruption in rural India.