Parama (1985)
A landmark Bengali drama by Aparna Sen exploring one woman's awakening, desire, and search for identity beyond the walls of domesticity.
Parama - Movie Information
- Original Title: পরমা
- Release Year: 1985
- Directed by: Aparna Sen
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 2h 6m
- Original Language: Bengali
- Spoken Languages: Bengali, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 9, 1985 (India)
- Alternative Titles: The Ultimate Woman (IN)
- Production Companies: Usha Enterprises
- Production Countries: India
Parama - Plot
The journey of a woman from a mere homemaker to a woman seeking her self identity. This search for self identity is sparked off by a young bohemian photographer, with whom she falls in love while he photographs her for a magazine doing her daily chores.
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Parama - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Aparna Sen
Main Cast
- Rakhee Gulzar
- Dipankar Dey
- Anil Chatterjee
- Sandhya Rani
- Bharati Devi
- Chhanda Chatterjee
- Mahua Roy Chowdhury
- Chaiti Ghoshal
- Manash Mukherjee
- Arjun Guha-Thakurta
Writers
- Aparna Sen
Producers
- Nirmal Kumar
Parama - FAQs
What is Parama (1985) about?
Parama follows a middle-class Bengali housewife who begins questioning her identity after a free-spirited photographer documents her daily life for a magazine. Their relationship deepens into a love affair that forces her to confront the boundaries of her domestic existence and search for a sense of selfhood beyond her roles as wife and mother.
Who directed the film Parama?
Parama was written and directed by Aparna Sen, one of India's most celebrated filmmakers. Sen is known for her nuanced portrayals of women navigating social constraints, and Parama stands as one of her most acclaimed works, praised for its sensitive and unflinching examination of female desire and identity.
Who plays the lead role in Parama?
The lead role of Parama Chowdhury is played by Rakhee Gulzar, a highly respected actress in Indian cinema. The supporting cast includes Dipankar Dey as her husband Bhaskar, Anil Chatterjee as Dr. Dasgupta, and Aparna Sen herself in the role of Sheila, among others.
Where can you stream or watch Parama?
Streaming availability for Parama varies by region and platform. You can find up-to-date information on where to watch or rent the film by checking JustWatch, which aggregates current streaming, rental, and purchase options across all major platforms in your area.
Is Parama based on a true story?
Parama is not based on a specific true story. It is an original screenplay written by Aparna Sen. However, the film draws on the lived realities of many middle-class Indian women of the era, making its portrait of domestic confinement and suppressed desire feel deeply authentic and socially resonant.
What is the significance of the ending of Parama?
The ending of Parama is widely discussed for its ambiguity and emotional power. After her affair is exposed and she suffers a breakdown, Parama does not find a neat resolution. The conclusion resists both punishment and triumph, instead leaving her in a liminal state that reflects the unresolved tension between personal freedom and social expectation.
When was Parama released and in what language?
Parama was released on October 9, 1985, in India. The film is primarily in Bengali, with some English dialogue. It is also known by the alternative title The Ultimate Woman and is considered a landmark of Bengali parallel cinema from the 1980s.
Did Parama receive critical acclaim or win awards?
Parama received strong critical acclaim upon release and is regarded as one of Aparna Sen's finest achievements. The film earned recognition for its bold subject matter and Rakhee Gulzar's performance. It is frequently cited in discussions of feminist Indian cinema and remains a touchstone of the 1980s parallel film movement in India.
More About Parama
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