Rihaee (1988)
A daring Hindi drama by Aruna Raje that confronts female desire, rural isolation, and social hypocrisy with rare candor.
Rihaee - Movie Information
- Original Title: Rihaee
- Release Year: 1988
- Directed by: Aruna Raje
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Original Language: Hindi
- Spoken Languages: Hindi
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 31, 1988 (India)
- Alternative Titles: Liberation (UK)
- Production Countries: India
Rihaee - Plot
A village is inhabited mainly by women whose husbands are in the cities earning a living. Taking advantage of the situation, a man who returns to his village succeeds in seducing most of the women.
Rihaee - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Aruna Raje
Main Cast
- Vinod Khanna
- Hema Malini
- Naseeruddin Shah
- Neena Gupta
- Reema Lagoo
- Ila Arun
- Mohan Agashe
Writers
- Aruna Raje
Rihaee - FAQs
What is Rihaee about?
Rihaee is set in a rural Indian village where most husbands have migrated to cities for work, leaving their wives behind. When a man returns to the village, he exploits the loneliness of these women, seducing many of them. The film examines desire, social hypocrisy, and the emotional lives of women left behind.
Who directed Rihaee?
Rihaee was directed by Aruna Raje, one of the pioneering female filmmakers in Indian cinema. She also wrote the screenplay and served as the film's editor, making Rihaee a deeply personal and singular artistic vision that challenged mainstream Bollywood conventions of its era.
Who are the main actors in Rihaee?
The film features a distinguished ensemble cast including Hema Malini, Vinod Khanna, and Naseeruddin Shah in prominent roles, alongside Neena Gupta, Reema Lagoo, Ila Arun, and Mohan Agashe. The combination of these acclaimed actors gave the film considerable dramatic weight and critical attention.
Was Rihaee controversial upon its release?
Yes, Rihaee was considered bold and controversial for its time. The film openly addressed female sexuality, loneliness, and desire in rural India — themes rarely explored with such frankness in mainstream Hindi cinema of the 1980s. Its unflinching portrayal of women's emotional and physical needs sparked significant debate.
When was Rihaee released?
Rihaee was released in India on August 31, 1988. The film was also distributed in the United Kingdom under the alternative title Liberation, reflecting its themes of freedom and emancipation from social and emotional constraints imposed on women in rural Indian society.
What genre is Rihaee?
Rihaee is a drama film. It belongs to the tradition of socially conscious Indian parallel cinema, focusing on the inner lives of rural women, themes of loneliness and desire, and a critique of patriarchal social structures that leave women isolated while their husbands migrate to urban centers for work.
What language is Rihaee in?
Rihaee is an Indian film made in the Hindi language. It was produced in India and is spoken entirely in Hindi, making it part of the broader Hindi-language parallel cinema movement of the 1980s that prioritized artistic and social storytelling over commercial entertainment.
What are similar movies to Rihaee?
Viewers who appreciate Rihaee may also enjoy Ghar Sansar (1986), Sunghursh (1968), The Shepherdess and the Seven Songs (2020), Joram (2023), and Haddi (2023). These films share thematic or stylistic connections with Rihaee, particularly in their exploration of rural Indian life, social tensions, and complex human relationships.
More About Rihaee
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