Daman is a movie dealing with domestic violence. Kalpana Lajmi, who previously directed strong women-centred movies such as Ek Pal, Rudaali and Darmiyaan, directs this feature. The movie follows the story of a poor lower-caste woman named Durga, from the first days of her marriage to her struggle to find peace for her and her grown daughter many years later. Durga was married into a wealthy family in the rural state of Assam. Her husband, a much older, cruel and merciless man, sees her as a burden, and during all the years of their marriage, he viciously abuses her, both physically and morally, intimidating her into total submission. It is after years of hell that Durga summons up the courage and runs away in order to save her daughter from her husband's decision to get her married to one of his friends. Durga sets on a new life, hoping to build a future for her daughter, but she herself knows that it's not long before her husband comes back to make her life miserable.
Daman is gritty, raw and very disturbing in its depiction of domestic abuse. The scenes showing the husband beating and torturing his wife are very painful to watch. Sadly enough, except for the character of Durga and her struggle to put an end to her long suffering, everything else in the film, including the portrayal of her daughter's romance and every other of its minor sub-plots, is poorly handled. Now let's put it straight, if Daman ever manages to work, it is for Raveena Tandon's superb acting. I was blown away by her powerful portrayal, which is replete with so much authenticity, intensity and terror. Just see the fear in her eyes, her nervous body language, and the astonishing depth with which she performs the most difficult of scenes; you will see a true bravura performance. It is almost impossible to believe she is the same actress who played so many useless roles in countless comedies and action films, showing that given the right role and director she can make wonders.
Except for Raveena Tandon, no one else exists in the movie, and sadly so. Raima Sen, playing her daughter, is not convincing enough and at some scenes she looks very unnatural. Shaan, one of the greatest singers in India today, is awful as her daughter's boyfriend. The only one who does a decent job where acting goes is Sayaji Shinde, who manages to be really hateful and scary as Durga's inhuman husband. Daman is not a great film, it has little entertainment and is for the most part too cruel and unsettling to be enjoyable. Yet, it is effectively made and it has a great performance from its leading lady, which makes it totally worthy and appreciable.
