Sarvasakshi


Sarvasakshi is a 1978 Marathi film directed by Ramdas Phutane with Smita Patil, Anjali Paigankar and Jairam Hardikar in the lead roles. The black-and-white film was a debut feature of Phutane, a former journalist, art teacher, poet and actor, inaugurating New Indian Cinema productions in Marathi. The film deals with the theme of superstitions of the old India colliding with the medical advancements of the modern world.

Plot

Ravi, a progressive schoolteacher in a small village helps fight an epidemic by getting his students inoculated. He incurs the wrath of local witchdoctor in the process. The witchdoctor gets his chance when Rekha, the pregnant wife of Ravi comes to him after the death of their child. He demands a human sacrifice. While Rekha later dies in childbirth, Ravi is accused of superstitious activity and is ostracized by the villagers. He is, eventually cleared, however.

Cast