Mahanagar

Arati’s decision to go to work creates a stir in her traditional family. The young woman would like to take the burden off her husband and become more independent in the process. She sticks to her decision, even though her family places obstacles in her way. In post-colonial India, which is battling with “Westernising”, there is no place for such an emancipated woman. Arati symbolizes social change – a theme that is still very much relevant today. Via camerawork that sticks close to the characters and thus creates a certain intimacy, we are able to accompany how Arati develops into a self-confident, self-determined woman, while Ray remains loyal to the style of his neorealist period.