INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

DIGITAL ASSIGNMENT -1

-REINA BINU
23BBH1070
-“Sairat isn't merely a milestone in Indian cinema; it's a film that proves every
story and voice matters”
ABSTRACT
Today, regressive social rules have far more influence over love and self-choice
marriages. Not even a few strong politicians or intelligent parents have the courage
to publicly call for an end to the "social killings" of youth and caste-based
marriage. The system and society manipulate a lot of young people who are bound
by the harsh and restrictive laws of marriage and love.
Even in the most rural Indian village, contemporary technology has made its way
to the shoreline. In the movie Sairat, three friends who live in the countryside are
first-year college students seen using the internet to look up information about
Archie on Facebook. On the one hand, contemporary technology has engulfed the
villages, but on the other, the effects of the long-standing caste system are still very
much in place.

INTRODUCTION
The Marathi film Sairat, directed by Nagaraj Manjule, which debuted on April 29,
2016, was chosen for the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. It tells the free-
spirited tale of a couple whose love is unable to overcome social hierarchy.
Archie (Achana Patil) is the daughter of a prominent village politician. She drives
a large gypsy when she first appears in the film, a bullet when she attends college,
and a tractor as well. Her manly driving style has enthralled both college students
and the villagers. The audacious and stunning Archie, who comes from a higher
caste, enrolls in first year of graduation and immediately falls in love with Parshya
(Prashant Kale), a lower caste fisherman who already has feelings for her. With the
encouragement of his two pals, Salim and Pradeep Bansode, also known as
Langda, he writes her a love letter. When Mangya, Archie's cousin, confronts and
threatens Parshya while he is at college, Archie steps in to save him and tells her
cousin to avoid Prashya. Compared to Parshya, who seems frightened, she is
strong, brazen, and her superiority complex is evident in every movement.
A cursory look at the occurrences can assist viewers understand the movie's point
of view, as there are several in the film that highlight caste inequality.
The treatment of the teachers by members of the upper caste is seen in a scene in
the movie. Prince is the brother of Archie and the politician and landowner Patil's
son. He attends Archie's lesson despite not even being a student. He engages in
disruptive behavior in class by using his phone throughout the English lecturer's
presentation. Prince strikes the lecturer on the face when he tries to restrict him.
When they get home, Archie chastises her brother for this despicable behavior, but
Patil, their father, finds it endearing.
It was forbidden for upper caste members to drink water from lower caste
members' homes. This tradition has been practiced for decades. It is still prevalent
in communities even though it has at least lessened in urban areas. The film
contains instances of it. When Archie goes to Parshya's house, she wants water,
and his mother and sister stare at her face in disbelief, wondering how a girl from a
higher caste can drink their water. There isn't a spoken conversation in this context,
but the director's talent allowed him to make the discriminatory notification based
on the expressions. The director has deftly and delicately shed light on the ignorant
habits that are prevalent in India and the mindless obedience to them.
When Archie, a free bird in captivity, is forced to wear a saree and cover her head
in order to display herself in a desired code before the people came for nuptials, we
feel pity for her and patriarchal constraints are placed upon her. Archie is a
disobedient girl, but she gives in to the circumstances for a while. She is not
prepared to submit to the socially prescribed roles that are expected of girls. She
leaves her residence and heads to Parshya's.
Parshya's two devoted pals run with them as they flee the village. According to the
villagers, Parshya has been urged to run with Patil's daughter. Parshya and his two
companions are falsely accused of kidnapping and raping Archie, leading to their
imprisonment there. Archie runs to the police station after learning of her father's
corrupt behavior and shreds the signature paper, which has led to false accusations
against Parshya and his companions. She pulls them out. However, this episode
demonstrates how upper caste individuals can abuse the law.
The law, which is viewed as being equal for everyone, is also demonstrated as a
tool utilized by those in higher castes for their own gain, and it demonstrates how
these individuals victimize those in lower castes. Although victims are thought to
be protected by police stations, what would happen if the police teamed up with
influential politicians? In order to preserve their virginity and family name, the
upper class is willing to commit crimes in order to harass the lower class.
 When Archie and Parshya arrive in Hyderabad, an unknown location, the plot
changes. They must overcome numerous obstacles in order to settle there.
However, since they moved to the city, they are no longer subject to caste
prejudice. However, the question of surviving to exist becomes increasingly
important. Through tenacity and diligence, they manage to secure employment in a
company. Akash, their son, is born to them after their courtship.

One day while playing with her son Akash ,her brother and three other guys arrive
at her house . Once inside, she gives them water and asks about everyone in her
family. Parshya returns home to find his brother-in-law and several other village
men lounging pleasantly in the house, gazing at their photo album. Now that their
families have accepted their relationship, Archie is overjoyed and gives Parshya an
embrace, telling her that everything will be alright in their lives. She's making
Poha, an Indian snack, for the men and her brother Prince. When Akash returns
home in the meantime, he unlocks the door, goes into the kitchen, and discovers
his parents covered in blood.
Everyone who watches the film is spellbound by its conclusion. He also falls silent
and ruminates deeply about the cause of such a severe disaster. The murderers'
hatred for Archie and Parshya has burned so brightly in their hearts that it hasn't
even melted seeing the baby's pictures.

ANALYSIS
Scholars, social activists, and politicians have repeatedly engaged in discourse and
discussion surrounding Ambedkar's conception of India. In a nutshell, it's the
concept of a caste-, class-, and gender-neutral society that fosters the conditions
necessary for every person to be able to practice their fundamental rights, including
the freedom to love and be loved by anyone. However, Manjule's use of detail
interestingly and successfully conveys Ambedkar's vision of India. A fair-skinned
actor plays the lower-caste Parsha, a dusky female plays the upper-caste Archi, and
a short, dark actor plays another upper-caste male character. These are examples of
casting decisions that subvert the particular caste-based color standards deeply
embedded in Indian culture. There is a common saying, mostly heard in North
India, that goes, "One should never trust a white-skinned Dalit or a black-skinned
Brahmin." This shows how common and naturalized the practice of class
identification based on skin color is in Indian culture.
Sairat subverts the stereotypes of traditional gender roles that are prevalent in
Marathi and Bollywood films, where the heroine is ultimately saved by the hero
despite her helplessness. The film explored a woman's ability to rebel in a
relationship in order to keep her love. It has completely upended the stereotypical
view of women in mainstream film, particularly in the Brahminical Marathi film
industry.

CONCLUSION
India's abhorrent caste system is the cause of the catastrophe "Sairat." Manjule's
film "Sairat," according to reviewers, is a love story with caste prejudice as a
backdrop. The filmmaker Manjule has delicately addressed this delicate aspect of
society.Although he hasn't told a novel tale, he is undoubtedly skilled at turning the
commonplace into the remarkable. The viewers' hearts were captured by the
lifelike projection, which also caused them to consider caste inequality and its
consequences. The achievement of the filmmaker and actors in accomplishing the
intended effect is reflected in the movie's strong social message.