Umbartha(1982)
Umbartha is a 1982 Indian drama film directed and co-produced by Jabbar Patel. The film stars Smita Patil as Sulabha Mahajan and Girish Karnad as her husband Subhash. It tells the story of a married woman who leaves her traditional home to become the superintendent of a women's reformatory. She faces opposition from her family and corruption within the system. The film is based on the Marathi novel 'Beghar' by Shanta Nisal. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi in 1982. Smita Patil won the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress for her performance. The film is considered a landmark of Indian parallel cinema for its honest portrayal of a woman's struggle for identity. It was released on August 6, 1982.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- YouTube
- Theatrical Release
- 20 July 1982
- Director
- Jabbar Patel
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 31m 0
Storyline
Sulabha Mahajan is a woman trapped in her comfortable home. She dreams of doing something meaningful. She gets a job running a women's reformatory in a remote town. Her husband and mother-in-law object. But she leaves anyway. At the reformatory, she fights corruption and abuse. But the system is against her. A tragedy forces her to return home. There, she faces a betrayal that changes everything.
“She stepped out to find herself.”
Film Details
Where to Watch
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Umbartha
Cast reunions in this film: Girish Karnad & Smita Patil (3 films together).