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.
sheds light on this lesser-seen side of Indian weddings, offering an unfiltered look at the indignities faced by women and their families during the matchmaking process.
Set against the backdrop of rural Maharashtra, Sthal
, helmed by Jayant Digambar Somalkar, distinguishes itself with its candid portrayal of arranged marriage practices and the emotional impact on women. In contrast to Bollywood’s glitzy depiction of nuptials, Sthal
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.
begins with an introduction that sets the stage for Sthal
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.
In truth, the situation is markedly different. Savita, adorned in a sari and seated on a low stool with her gaze downcast, endures a flood of inquiries from the potential groom’s family. They quiz her on her personal details, education, pastimes, and even her openness to farm work. After the interrogation, the men leave to deliberate over her physical looks. Remarks about her complexion and stature expose the superficial metrics by which she is appraised. Despite her abilities and dreams, Savita is diminished to a subject of examination, her value assessed by random criteria.
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.”
In an interview, Nandini Chikte described how emotionally taxing it was to portray Savita’s journey. “Even though I was acting, I felt the anger and humiliation on behalf of Savita,” she said. “It was disheartening to see how little consideration was given to her dreams, while the prospective groom was never subjected to the same scrutiny.”
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.
The film’s candid depiction of arranged marriage practices has garnered it widespread praise. Nonetheless, Sthal
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
is not the first Indian film to tackle this subject. Over the years, Bollywood and regional cinema have produced numerous stories about arranged marriages. The popular Netflix series Indian Matchmaking
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.”
aims to shed 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 significant discussions. “One film can’t transform society immediately, but it can begin a conversation,” he remarked. “I want audiences to reflect on how these customs affect women and their families. It’s time to shift away from viewing marriage as the pinnacle achievement for a young woman.”
With its compelling narrative and genuine performances, Sthal
Through its poignant storytelling and authentic performances, Sthal
Though progress might be gradual, movies 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.
