:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-2203071831-1ed4764f40ae44f985949718d7f5cd5b.jpg "https://www.investopedia.com/thmb/Vu1RIXpPvMuJPTG7Dx6ZSqroMUg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-2203071831-1ed4764f40ae44f985949718d7f5cd5b.jpg")
Unions in India are frequently depicted as festive and opulent gatherings, where families unite to celebrate customs. Nevertheless, for numerous women, the arranged marriage process may be a profoundly troubling ordeal, stemming from societal pressures and patriarchal norms. The Marathi-language film Sthal: A Match
reveals this often overlooked aspect of Indian matrimonial ceremonies, providing an unvarnished view of the hardships encountered by women and their families throughout the process of finding a suitable match.
takes place in the rural scenery of Maharashtra, Sthal
centers on Savita, a young woman who dreams of continuing her education and forging a career. Unfortunately, her ambitions are eclipsed by her father’s persistent quest to arrange her marriage. Daulatrao Wandhare, a cotton farmer facing financial difficulties, is resolute in his pursuit of a suitable husband for his daughter, all while contending with the struggles of his farming life. To Daulatrao, securing a favorable matrimonial alliance holds as much significance as obtaining a good price for his harvest.
follows the story of Savita, a young woman with dreams of pursuing higher education and building a career. However, her aspirations are overshadowed by her father’s relentless efforts to find her a husband. Daulatrao Wandhare, a struggling cotton farmer, is determined to secure a good match for his daughter while grappling with the challenges of his livelihood. For Daulatrao, a favorable marriage alliance is as important as getting a fair price for his crops.
highlights the degradation and dehumanization that numerous women experience. The film’s realism is bolstered by its ensemble of debut actors, all selected from the village where filming occurred. Nandini Chikte, portraying Savita, offers a compelling performance that has garnered her numerous awards.
focuses on the humiliation and objectification that many women endure. The film’s authenticity is further enhanced by its cast of first-time actors, all chosen from the same village where the movie was shot. Nandini Chikte, who plays Savita, delivers a powerful performance that has earned her multiple accolades.
establishes the mood for the narrative. In a dream-like scenario, Savita questions a potential suitor, humorously flipping conventional gender roles. Accompanied by her female family members, she observes the anxious young man awkwardly handling drinks. Yet, this amusing scene is fleeting, as Savita is suddenly awakened and informed to get ready for another round of men arriving to evaluate her as a prospective wife.
sets the tone for the story. In a dream sequence, Savita interviews a prospective groom in a lighthearted reversal of traditional gender roles. Alongside her female relatives, she watches as the nervous young man stumbles while serving drinks. However, this playful moment is short-lived, as Savita is abruptly woken up and told to prepare for yet another group of men coming to assess her suitability as a bride.
In reality, the dynamic is starkly different. Savita is dressed in a sari and seated on a small stool, her eyes lowered, as she faces a barrage of questions from the prospective groom’s family. They interrogate her about her name, education, hobbies, and even her willingness to work on a farm. Once the questioning ends, the men step outside to discuss her physical appearance. Comments about her skin tone and height reveal the shallow criteria by which she is judged. Despite her qualifications and aspirations, Savita is reduced to an object of scrutiny, her worth determined by arbitrary standards.
During an interview, Nandini Chikte shared how emotionally demanding it was to bring Savita’s story to life. «Even though I was acting, I genuinely experienced the anger and humiliation for Savita,» she expressed. «It was disheartening to witness how her ambitions were largely ignored, while the potential groom never faced the same level of evaluation.»
The movie also tackles the widespread problem of dowry, a practice still common in India even though it has been outlawed for more than sixty years. Dowry frequently imposes a heavy financial strain on the bride’s parents, who may go to great lengths to satisfy the groom’s family’s expectations. In Sthal
The film also addresses the pervasive issue of dowry, a practice that remains widespread in India despite being illegal for over six decades. Dowry often places a significant financial burden on the bride’s family, with parents going to extreme lengths to meet the demands of the groom’s family. In Sthal
from real-life experiences, Director Jayant Digambar Somalkar crafted Sthal
from his personal experiences. Raised alongside two sisters and numerous cousins, he directly observed the matchmaking rituals. He remembers witnessing these practices without questioning them as a youngster, but his perspective shifted in adulthood. The pivotal moment occurred in 2016, when he went with a male cousin to meet a potential bride. Seeing the young woman seated and responding to queries about her looks and background unsettled him. «The focus on her height and skin tone felt dehumanizing,» Somalkar noted. Motivated by his then-fiancée, now wife, he chose to delve into the topic through his films.
from his own life experiences. Growing up with two sisters and several cousins, he witnessed the matchmaking process firsthand. He recalls observing these rituals without questioning them as a child but began to see them differently as an adult. The turning point came in 2016, when he accompanied a male cousin to meet a prospective bride. Watching the young woman sit on a stool and answer questions about her appearance and background left him uncomfortable. “The discussion about her height and skin color felt dehumanizing,” Somalkar said. Encouraged by his fiancée, now his wife, he decided to explore the subject through his filmmaking.
is not the initial Indian film to address this topic. Throughout the years, both Bollywood and regional films have brought forth various narratives about arranged marriages. The widely watched Netflix series Indian Matchmaking
, for instance, explores the matchmaking process but predominantly centers on affluent, urban families where women typically have more autonomy.
Somalkar asserts that his film provides a more realistic viewpoint. «The everyday reality for many Indians differs greatly from mainstream media portrayals,» he stated. «For families in rural and low-income areas, the task of finding a suitor for their daughters often seems daunting. Marriage is perceived as a means to uphold the family’s honor, prompting parents to make significant sacrifices to meet this societal duty.»
By shedding light on the challenges encountered by women such as Savita, Sthal
urges viewers to rethink deeply rooted customs. It questions the dehumanization of women under the guise of marriage and the societal pressures that place marriage above educational and career goals.
Somalkar aspires for the film to initiate valuable discussions. «A single movie can’t transform society instantly, but it can ignite a conversation,» he remarked. «I want individuals to consider the effects of these traditions on women and their families. It’s time to shift from viewing marriage as the ultimate aim for a young woman.»
Somalkar hopes the film will spark meaningful conversations. “One film cannot change society overnight, but it can start a dialogue,” he said. “I want people to think about the impact of these practices on women and their families. It’s time to move away from treating marriage as the ultimate goal for a young woman.”
acts as a strong critique of societal norms that uphold gender inequality. It gives voice to women like Savita, whose stories frequently go unnoticed, and advocates for changing perspectives on marriage, education, and women’s autonomy in India.
suggest that, although change may be gradual, films such as Sthal
While change may be slow, films like Sthal
play an important role in challenging the status quo and inspiring audiences to imagine a more equitable future.
