This is a Hindi language film by noted director Shyam Benegal. This is one of the films of the art or parallel cinema genre which focused on real life issues rather than mere entertainment.
The film name literally means "ascent" or "rise". The film is about how poor land owners in Bengal were exploited by landlords despite having the law on their side. They were uneducated and unaware of their rights and many a time under the whims or muscle power of the landlords.
The film showcases the case of one family - that of Hari Mondol (superbly played by Om Puri who won a National Award for this). Unable to support a large family, he is led to right off his rights to the landlord when in the need of money for a marriage in the family. And ends up being exploited for that. In the midst of which, his extended family also has to go through various hardships. They migrate to Kolkata only to fall into the wrong hands and face further hardship after living off the initial lustre of the city life.
The film has a positive ending after this otherwise completely bleak view of Bengal's farmers. This made it worth the watch.
It doesn't escape one's notice that despite playing to the gallery in many commercial films, and being in high demand for them, Amrish Puri always made time to play roles in Shyam Benegal films. Hats off to the late veteran.
