Marital unions in India are commonly depicted as vibrant, lavish festivities where families unite to uphold customs. Yet, for numerous women, the journey of an arranged marriage can be profoundly unsettling, driven by societal pressures and patriarchal norms. The Marathi-language film Sthal: A Match
Marriages in India are often portrayed as joyful, grand celebrations, with families coming together to honor traditions. However, for many women, the process of arranged marriage can be a deeply distressing experience, rooted in societal pressures and patriarchal expectations. The Marathi-language film Sthal: A Match
is situated in the rural areas of Maharashtra, Sthal
narrates the tale of Savita, a young woman eager to seek higher education and develop a career. Yet, her ambitions are eclipsed by her father’s constant endeavors to find her a spouse. Daulatrao Wandhare, a cotton farmer facing hardships, is resolute in arranging a suitable marriage for his daughter while dealing with the struggles of his trade. For Daulatrao, an advantageous marriage proposal is as crucial as obtaining a just value for his harvests.
helmed by Jayant Digambar Somalkar, the movie is notable for its authentic depiction of arranged marriage customs and the emotional burden they impose on women. In contrast to Bollywood’s glittering portrayal of matrimonial ceremonies, Sthal
emphasizes the degradation and objectification faced by many women. Its realism is amplified by a cast of debut actors, all selected from the very village where the film was made. Nandini Chikte, portraying Savita, gives a compelling performance that has garnered her numerous awards.
begins with a gripping scene in 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 actuality, the scenario is markedly different. Clad in a sari and perched on a small stool, Savita sits with her gaze downcast, enduring a flood of inquiries from the potential groom’s family. They question her about her name, education, interests, and even her readiness to work on a farm. After the interrogation, the men retreat outside to deliberate on her physical attributes. Remarks about her complexion and stature expose the superficial metrics by which she is evaluated. In spite of her qualifications and dreams, Savita is diminished to an object of examination, her value assessed by capricious criteria.
This scene recurs multiple times in the film, emphasizing the monotonous cycle of the matchmaking journey. Savita’s parents admit that she has faced rejection four or five times already. Each refusal amplifies the family’s frustration and hopelessness, as they contend with societal pressure to find a match for their daughter. For Savita, the ordeal is both humiliating and anger-inducing. Her insistence on completing her education and building a career before marriage is dismissed as impractical within her traditional community.
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
, Daulatrao is shown putting his land up for sale to gather funds for his daughter’s marriage, even though farming is his only source of income. This reflects a harsh reality where families often incur massive debts to secure a marriage, only to face the risk of dowry-related violence later.
from his personal background. With two sisters and numerous cousins, he observed the matchmaking rituals closely. As a child, he didn’t question these practices, but his perspective shifted as an adult. The moment of change occurred in 2016, when he attended a meeting between a male cousin and a potential bride. Seeing the young woman seated and being questioned about her looks and background made him uneasy. “The focus on her height and skin tone felt dehumanizing,” Somalkar reflected. Motivated by his fiancée, who is now his wife, he chose to delve into this topic through his film.
The film’s candid depiction of arranged marriage practices has garnered it widespread praise. Nonetheless, Sthal
is not the inaugural Indian film to address this theme. Over time, both Bollywood and regional cinema have created various narratives about arranged marriages. The well-known Netflix show Indian Matchmaking
explores the matchmaking process as well, but it centers on affluent, urban families where women tend to have relatively more autonomy.
Somalkar asserts that his film provides a more realistic viewpoint. “The reality for the majority of Indians differs significantly from mainstream media portrayals,” he stated. “For families in rural or low-income areas, securing a match for their daughters often seems daunting. Marriage is perceived as a means to uphold the family’s honor, prompting parents to make considerable sacrifices to meet this societal duty.”
aims to shed light on the challenges encountered by women such as Savita, Sthal
urges audiences to rethink entrenched customs. It scrutinizes the objectification of women under the guise of matrimony and the societal pressures that place marriage above educational and career aspirations.
challenges viewers to reconsider deeply ingrained traditions. It questions the objectification of women in the name of marriage and the societal pressures that prioritize marriage over education and career aspirations.
delivers a powerful narrative and genuine performances, Sthal
Through its poignant storytelling and authentic performances, Sthal
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.
