Bhavni Bhavai: Ketan Mehta's 1981 film on caste remains starkly relevant

Ketan Mehta's 1981 film Bhavni Bhavai continues to resonate as a searing examination of caste-based discrimination in Gujarat. The film's unflinching portrayal of social hierarchies and oppression has lost none of its urgency, serving as a stark reminder of persistent inequalities in the state.

As contemporary India grapples with questions of social justice and equity, the film's themes underscore how far Gujarat—and the nation—still needs to travel in addressing deeply entrenched caste divisions and their human cost.