''Log Kya Kahenge'' () is a 1982 Indian Hindi-language film produced and directed by B. R. Ishara. It stars

Shabana Azmi Shabana Azmi (born 18 September 1950) is an Indian actress of Hindi film, television and theatre. One of India's most acclaimed actresses, Azmi is known for her portrayals of distinctive, often unconventional female characters across several ge ...

Shatrughan Sinha Shatrughan Prasad Sinha (born 9 December 1945) is an Indian actor and politician. He is a Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Asansol (Lok Sabha constituency), Asansol constituency as a member of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). Earlier he ...

and

Sanjeev Kumar Sanjeev Kumar (born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala; 9 July 1938 – 6 November 1985) was an Indian actor. He is well remembered for his versatility and genuine portrayal of his characters. He acted in genres ranging from romantic dramas to thriller ...

in pivotal roles and also features

Navin Nischol Navin Nischol (18 March 1946 – 19 March 2011) was an Indian actor. He made his debut with the Hindi film ''Sawan Bhadon'' in 1970. In 1996 he worked in Pyar Zindagi Hai along with Rita Bhaduri and Raj Mohammed. The film was shot in Hyderabad. ...

. The title of the film, "Log Kya Kahenge", is documented as a common stigma facing women in Indian society who challenge pre-arranged marriages and are expected to behave in a certain manner. The film deals with themes of murder and adultery.

Plot

Roma is forced into a pre-arranged marriage with a widower. She comes to detest her husband and his son and the life that has been enforced upon her. She begins an affair with another man. One day her stepson discovers her with the other man and she kills him to prevent him from telling her husband. Ultimately she also kills her husband as her mental health declines and she becomes insane.

Cast

as Dr. Jeevan *

as Gopal *

as Ram Sinha *

as Roma *

Aruna Irani Aruna Irani (born 3 May 1946) is an Indian actress, who has acted in over 500 films throughout Hindi, Kannada, Marathi and Gujarati cinema, playing mostly supporting and character roles. She has won two Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Act ...

as Sadhna

Themes and reception

The name "Log Kya Kahenge" (What will People Think) stems from a common Indian yardstick and social stigma against women who may challenge social norms of marriage and other expected forms of behaviour, a "stress-inducing" expectation surrounding women and arranged marriages. One author said "In our sheltered Indian middle class homes, for every woman there is an unconsciously used Indian yardstick called, 'log kya kahenge'." The film was not amongst the blockbusters of 1982 and neither is it regarded today as a classic of Hindi cinema, remaining largely forgotten. However, the film draws upon the concept of women and challenging society and is therefore remarkable for the social situation of the era. The film gained some notoriety for the scene in which

throttles her husband's son to prevent him from informing her husband of her affair with another man, and shocked viewers in India. Shabana herself said light-heartedly of the scene, "I remember seeing that completely evil look on my face ... and I was shocked by it. Was I capable of such evil?" The ''

Hindustan Times ''Hindustan Times'' is an Indian English-language daily newspaper based in Delhi. It is the flagship publication of HT Media, an entity controlled by the KK Birla family, and is owned by Shobhana Bhartia. It was founded by Sunder Singh Lyall ...

'' cited the scene amongst Hindi cinema's best-known and best-loved mother-oriented "moments of magic on the screen". "The Women of South Asian Descent Collective" highlights the theme of divine justice in the film, saying, "In Log Kya Kahenge, the heroine takes the ultimate step in asserting her right to choose her spouse: she murders the husband forced on her. Consequently, she is punished not only by the law of the land but by divine justice – she becomes insane."

Soundtrack

Music to the film was scored by Kalyanji-Anandji.

References

External links

*{{IMDb title, id=0230465 1980s Hindi-language films 1983 films Arranged marriage in fiction Films scored by Kalyanji Anandji Films about women in India Films directed by B. R. Ishara