Astitva (2000) User Reviews

An interesting moral melodrama with a fantastic lead performance by Tabu

[Peter_Young · 7/10 · 2 March 2022]

Okay, very simple - after years of marriage, a man finds out his wife cheated on him and that the boy he raised and considered his son is not his biological child. The film addresses gender inequality with stress on the unbearable double standard with which the sins of men and women are treated by the hypocrite male-dominated society. In this regard, this film's standpoint is quite refreshing, but then, not enough. Firstly, the film makes great efforts to emphasise how wrong it was on the wife's part specifically because she is a woman. And then a big leap is taken to almost legitimize adultery. One must remember, the husband's regressive views notwithstanding, the wife's actions are purely unacceptable. That she has made a mistake in a moment of weakness and decided to hide it is understandable, but that she had a son from this extramarital affair and kept it a secret for decades from her unsuspecting husband - much less so. But then the balance is there and it's well thought out.

I thoroughly enjoyed Mahesh Manjrekar's Astitva. There is conflict here, a great moral one, and the viewers must have conflicting views when confronted by the story and its well-formed foundation. I liked the fact that the film didn't turn the husband into a complete antagonist in order to convey its feminist message. There are some glitches here and there, mostly technical, in terms of dubbing and sound, but the film works. It is simple and realistic and works as both a human story and a psychological, suspenseful drama. Astitva greatly benefits from Tabu's presence and her extraordinarily brave performance for that time. She is highly nuanced and believable, and her monologue by the end of the film is brilliant, in terms of both writing and dialogue and especially in view of her acting and conviction in it. Sachin Khedekar is effective, and so is Mohnish Bahl. It is the appearance of Namrata Shirodkar which is a bit of a stretch, but the film is still concluded well, and kudos to Tabu anyway.

An interesting take on a social issue that has really needs addressing

[manzoorulhassan · 7/10 · 13 November 2001]

The male dominance in the indo-pak sub-continental society, even today, and it's affects really needs more addressing.

How/where do you draw the line? Where is the balance? Being a modern, educated woman doesn't necessarily have to mean a career woman.

Astitva chose to take the more direct stand of siding with the female movement. What it did not address is the group of female who are in the middle. The females who are capable of being independent, but are more interested in family and home.

The biggest flaw of the movie was putting both Sri and Aniket (Aditi's son) in the same boat. But I guess they wanted to deal with one simple issue and keep the plot simple.

The best part of the movie (as far as the making goes) - it was exactly as long as it had to be.

One of the best films by Manjerekar as a director

[silvan-desouza · 8/10 · 5 November 2014]

Mahesh Manjerekar started his career with NIDAAN though VAASTAV released before and became a huge hit, ASTITVA was his 3rd film and won him laurels, he was the next big thing as a director though after this film his career went downhill and later he started acting. Astitva is a superb film, it defies stereotype It shows a mirror to the society where male chauvinistic man reside, it speaks on infidelity but this time it's done by a women. The film is handled superbly by Mahesh Manjerekar, several scenes are treated superbly, like the relationship between Sachin and Tabu also Mohinish-Tabu affair is well handled, the climax does seem a bit abrupt but it's superbly handled

Direction is awesome Music is decent, Chal Chal is the best song and suitably placed, rest are mostly in background

Sachin Khedekar is superb in his role and evokes hatred efficiently, Tabu is simply outstanding in a role only she could portray After MAACHIS, HU TU TU this film also helped her catapult to the list of best actresses. Mohinish Behl is effective in a brief role, Namrata Shirodkar is superb in a small role, Ravindra Mankani as the friend Ravi(voice dubbed by Manjerekar) is good in his part, Smita Jaykar is good too in her role Sunil Barve as Aniket is okay,rest are okay

a remarkable insight into gender discrimination prevailing in our society......

[SumanShakya · 6/10 · 12 August 2014]

Even though we feel we have entered a new age, still gender discrimination is seen our family and society. A man can have affairs outside the home, but when the woman commits the same mistake, the things don't hold the same despite the numerous sacrifices she would have made for her family. The film very remarkably raises this issue. I won't say the film heads for a very concrete answer by the end, but still the drama scorches the screen through its issue. Tabbu and Sachin Kedekar are remarkable in their roles. Through the portrayal of the modern society, the film depicts the situations haven't changed in course of time. The film reminded me of Akhir Kyon, released in 1985, in which Smita Patil played the role of a women, who makes her way, after her husband abandons her. The film very effectively portrayed the strength, passion, and patience of womanhood, which comes in "Astitva" too. Only the small disappointments were its slow pace, lack of twists, and the inadequate answers it goes for.

Rating: 2 stars out of 4

Excellent handling of women's sexuality issues

[wendelin-1 · 9/10 · 15 August 2006]

When "Astitva" was released in India it struck a chord with the country's stay-at-home wives and mothers. In Aditi, these women saw themselves being brave enough to demand equality in marital relations, owning up to and even being proud of their needs and desires. "Astitva" is an important movie for its subject matter if nothing else.

Fortunately, director Mahesh Manjrekar handles his material with a masterful touch, neither understating key aspects of the story (which are so little discussed in Indian society that they deserve to be shouted out loud) nor letting it slide into obvious melodrama. The cast is perfect: Tabu, in particular, is excellent as Aditi, and Sachin Khedekar comes into his own as Shreekant Pandit.

The plot is simple: Aditi is a neglected housewife (her new husband travels out of town a LOT) who begins to take music lessons to keep herself busy. A mutual attraction springs up between the lonely Aditi and the attractive young teacher, Malhar Kamath, and their relationship becomes an intimate one. Soon, Aditi conceives a child that she strongly suspects is Malhar's and not her husband's, but she says nothing. Aditi and her husband leave their secluded rural home and head for the city to raise their son.

The child grows up, and is about to be married. As both sets of parents prepare for the wedding, Aditi receives a letter from a lawyer telling her that Malhar Kamath has died and left her his estate. Malhar's actions raise questions in Shreekant's mind. He checks his journals from three decades ago, figures out that his son is not his own, and has a meltdown.

Shreekant's easy rejection of their thirty-year marriage wakes Aditi up to all the injustices she has suffered from Shreekant. In an emotional climax, she accuses Shreekant of neglecting her sexual needs while fulfilling his own - often against her wishes - all through the marriage. In the end, she leaves him to finally begin making herself a priority in her life, as opposed to spending the rest of her life serving his needs.

The movie crossed the line into triteness once or twice, especially when Shreekant was revealed to have had many affairs during their marriage and also when Aditi's son rejects her as his mother (huh???). One star off for that. Otherwise, the movie is excellent, as close to perfect as you can get in a Bollywood movie handling an issue as sensitive as this.

one sided handling of the issue

[murali83 · 7/10 · 26 May 2005]

The movie might have been fine in many aspects, but some very big flaws. I mean OK, you talk of male dominance in the Indian society and stuff, but this does not mean that a woman is justified in having a married life when her husband does not even know that his son is not his own. It was very wrong on tabu's husband to have vented all his anger on her when he came to know of the truth, but this does not give her a point to get away. She started her married life with a lie. Her husband has every right to know that his son is not his own blood.

very one sided ending. The movie shows nicely the male dominance in the Indian society but also shows that when a problem erupts, everyone supports the feminine gender in India.

It's not just a movie

[mnagargoje · 10/10 · 15 December 2019]

Every family should seat together and watch this film.

2000 era is just awesome

[dkgupta493 · 10/10 · 27 July 2021]

The soundtrack the lighting affect are allthe awesome. Movie was good on social issue but I can't digest this that if man is doing all hard to earn bread and butter for their family then women should cheat she should also respect him. Sachin was also very much in love with tabbu she can't say he don't love. But hiding truth was not fair at all.

Wonderful..

[pawarshivaji-01226 · 9/10 · 20 July 2020]

Wonderfully directed with great actors acted. Must watch movie..

Highly inflammable and provocative, in a devilishly negative light!

[ginu_tg-1 · 1/10 · 13 January 2010]

It is considered fashion to highlight every social evil as a result of patriarchy and male dominance, however moronic this illogical 'logic' may be. However within the story and theme of the film, there is no grey area and the woman who should be called the film's antagonist, is the ''villain of the story''. Under no circumstances can what she did be justified. Sexuality of women is just hype in this case and has nothing to do with the actuality. It is betrayal of the ultimate sort. The man ended up spending his resources and time in the wasteful raising of another man's offspring. To top it all, the most feeble of arguments raised by the 3 'liberated' female characters in the climax is pathetic. A woman's sexual needs are no excuse for her to commit adultery and continually betray her husband and worse, there are no other children. So in essence his life has been wasted. In some societies where justice still prevails, such situations result in the execution of the unjust.

Great Direction by Mahesh Manjrekar!!!

[shaikhirshad-41223 · 8/10 · 31 December 2023]

A Unique and tragic love story with emotions and tragic situations.

Direction of Mahesh Manjrekar is brilliant the way he present the storyline with his unique character arc is unique to watch. Specially the emotions that were shown in the film is truly touches your heart and you can easily got connected with the characters till the end of the film.

Screenplay is good movie doesn't feel bored though it has less characters and a short story but still it feels great to watch and feel for it. Music & Bgm is good with powerful dialogues at the end is definitely make the film top with rest of the films.

TABU is one of the best actress in Hindi film industry. Brilliant performance by her the story revolves around her character but still outstanding performance by her.

Rest of the cast also perform well and suited with their characters.

A must watch film with great direction, story, acting performances and emotional aspects.....

Hindi version of "Bridges of Madison County"

[vinod-2 · 1/10 · 13 February 2001]

Bridges of madison county is a better made version of this story. I felt the ending of this movie was not handled sensitively as they did in the original English movie. This movie is very indianised, if you are a very sensitive person who cries in a movie when hero dies in the end you'll love this movie, On the other hand if you are a fighter in life and think crying is for wimps you may not like the ending.But on the whole it's pretty good subject is well handled for indian conditions. Tabu was good as a caring wife and mother. Everybody acted well.