Review of Rudaali

Rudaali (1993)
10/10
A Tale of Dried Tears
13 March 2005
Rudaali is one of the haunting movie that comes from remote villages in Rajasthan. Shanichari is a beautiful girl born in lower cast and her life is full of sufferings because of lower cast, poor finances, lost parents, drunken husband, mischievous son. In her old age, she has become like a stone which doesn't complain and doesn't weep. Even a sharp eye drop that brings artificial tears in the eyes of a Rudaali (a rented mourner) cannot bring tears in her eyes. Her mother (A old professional Rudalli) lives with her for couple of days but doesn't tell her that she is her mom. She suggests her to become a fellow Rudaali with her. But the problem is that Shanichari can't weep.

After Shanichari's mom dies and she comes to know that she was her mother, Shanichari's tears come back to her eyes after long years and she becomes a famous Rudaali taking over her mother's profession.

The movie along with sadness of Shanichari's life also contains a story of platonic love between village landlord and Shanichari. The movie also ridicules the practice of renting mourners by rich class in the village who are so bad that they even rent mourner for show at the time of their deaths.

The movie also has 8 haunting melodies in Hindi. Best ever songs.
17 out of 21 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed