Chakra(1981)
Chakra is a 1981 Hindi drama film directed by Rabindra Dharmaraj. It stars Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda. The film follows Amma, a mother who flees her village with her son after her husband kills a moneylender. They settle in a Mumbai slum, where Amma takes on lovers to survive. Her son Benwa idolizes a petty criminal named Lukka. The story depicts the brutal cycle of poverty, crime, and police violence. The film won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno International Film Festival. Smita Patil won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance. It was Dharmaraj's only feature film before his death in 1981. The film is available on YouTube.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- ZEE5, Amazon Prime Video, Ultra Play, Airtel Xstream Play, YouTube
- Theatrical Release
- 19 March 1981
- Director
- Rabindra Dharmaraj
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 20m
- Rating
- 7.5/10
Storyline
A mother and her son escape to Mumbai's slums after a tragedy. She takes on lovers to survive, while her son falls into a life of crime. The police, poverty, and violence close in on them. Can they break free from the vicious circle?
“The circle of poverty never ends.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Chakra
Cast reunions in this film: Naseeruddin Shah & Om Puri (21 films together), Naseeruddin Shah & Smita Patil (12 films together), Om Puri & Kulbhushan Kharbanda (11 films together), Om Puri & Smita Patil (9 films together), Rohini Hattangadi & Naseeruddin Shah (8 films together), and Rohini Hattangadi & Smita Patil (7 films together).
Trivia
- The film was based on a Marathi novel called 'Chakra' by Jaywant Dalvi, who also wrote the screenplay.
- It was the only feature film directed by Rabindra Dharmaraj, who died shortly after its release.
- The movie was India's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 54th Academy Awards.
- Smita Patil, who played Amma, was pregnant during filming, which was worked into her character's storyline.
- The film's realistic depiction of Mumbai slums led to it being shot extensively on location in Dharavi.
- It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi in 1981.
- Composer Hridaynath Mangeshkar, brother of Lata Mangeshkar, provided the film's music, which was noted for its sparse, folk-inspired score.