Earth (1998)
Deepa Mehta's haunting portrait of love and loss set against the catastrophic violence of India's 1947 Partition.
Earth - Movie Information
- Original Title: 1947: Earth
- Release Year: 1998
- Directed by: Deepa Mehta
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance, History
- Runtime: 1h 41m
- Original Language: Hindi
- Spoken Languages: English, Hindi
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 16, 1998 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: अर्थ (IN)
- Production Companies: Cracking the Earth Films, Goldwyn Films
- Production Countries: Canada, India
Earth - Plot
It's 1947 and the borderlines between India and Pakistan are being drawn. A young girl bears witnesses to tragedy as her ayah is caught between the love of two men and the rising tide of political and religious violence.
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Earth - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Deepa Mehta
Main Cast
- Aamir Khan
- Nandita Das
- Rahul Khanna
- Maia Sethna
- Kitu Gidwani
- Arif Zakaria
- Eric Peterson
- Kulbhushan Kharbanda
- Pavan Malhotra
- Sunil Mehra
Writers
- Deepa Mehta
Producers
- Deepa Mehta
- Anne Masson
Earth - FAQs
Is Earth (1998) based on a true story?
Earth is based on Bapsi Sidhwa's 1991 novel Cracking India (also published as Ice-Candy Man), which draws on the author's own childhood memories of living in Lahore during the 1947 Partition. While fictional, the story is deeply rooted in the real historical trauma of that period.
What is Earth (1998) about?
Set in 1947 Lahore, Earth follows young Lenny Sethna, a Parsee girl who watches her beloved ayah Shanta become the center of a love triangle amid the catastrophic violence of India's Partition. The film explores how political and religious upheaval tears apart friendships, communities, and lives.
Who are the main actors in Earth?
Earth stars Aamir Khan as Dil Navaz (Ice-Candy Man), Nandita Das as Shanta the ayah, Rahul Khanna as Hassan, and Maia Sethna as young Lenny. The supporting cast includes Kitu Gidwani, Arif Zakaria, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, and Pavan Malhotra.
What does the ending of Earth mean?
The film's ending is a devastating indictment of betrayal and communal violence. Lenny, manipulated into revealing Shanta's hiding place, watches helplessly as the woman she loves is taken away by a mob. The conclusion underscores how innocent lives are consumed by the madness of Partition, leaving Lenny — and the audience — with irreversible guilt and grief.
Where can I stream Earth (1998)?
Earth (1998) is available to stream for free on Hoopla. Check your regional availability for additional viewing options.
Who directed Earth and what is the film's significance?
Earth was written and directed by Deepa Mehta, the Canadian-Indian filmmaker known for her Elements Trilogy. Earth is the second installment of that trilogy, preceded by Fire (1996) and followed by Water (2005). The film is celebrated for its unflinching portrayal of the human cost of the 1947 Partition of India.
Did Earth (1998) win any awards?
Earth received significant critical recognition, earning Deepa Mehta a Genie Award nomination and garnering praise for A.R. Rahman's evocative score and Giles Nuttgens's cinematography. The film was Canada's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and is widely regarded as one of the finest films about the Partition.
How long is Earth (1998)?
Earth has a runtime of 101 minutes (1 hour and 41 minutes). The film was released in the United States on September 16, 1998.
More About Earth
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