Uttara

Uttara is the stylised reaction of Buddhadeb Dasgupta to the outbursts of religious fundamentalism and intolerance in both East and West. In addition, the film is an intriguing ode to the millions of people in developing countries who are not taken seriously because they are illiterate, politically naive and superstitious, but distinguish themselves through their capacity to love and suffer. The film was largely shot around dawn and dusk.Two friends, pointsman Balaram and railway guard Nimai, live by a remote level crossing in the countryside of Bengal. They spend their free time with their one great passion: wrestling one another. Nearby, there also lives a priest who spends his time doing charitable work for the local inhabitants whom he has converted to Christianity. Their peaceful existence is disrupted when Balaram goes to the neighbouring village to be with his dying mother. There he is married off to the charming Uttara and brings her back to the village with him. The beauty and innocence of the girl awakens the jealousy of Nimai. Uttara becomes the stake in the increasingly aggressive wrestling matches between the two men. At the same time, three Hindu extremists arrive in the village, determined to drive out the priest they so detest. While Balaram and Nimai fight for Uttara, the extremists sow death and destruction.