Bawandar

Amy and Ravi travel to Rajasthan five years after the gang-rape to investigate Sanwari's case. They learn of the brutal incident from a newspaper and begin to uncover what happened in the village. The encounter sets the frame for the retelling of Sanwari's story through testimony.

Sanwari and Sohan are a married couple from the Kumhar caste living in Dhabri. Sanwari makes pots while Sohan drives a rickshaw to support the family. Their everyday life is fragile under social oppression and economic strain.

Shobha Devi, a government social worker, notices Sanwari's courage against oppression. She recruits Sanwari as a Saathin, a grassroots worker for the Women's Development Project. This marks Sanwari's formal entry into anti-violence activism.

Sanwari begins educating village women about child marriage and women's oppression, challenging deep-rooted norms. Conservative elders and the Gurjar community push back against her activism. The campaign soon becomes a flashpoint in the village.

Five men from the Gurjar community spearhead a social and economic boycott against Sanwari and her family. Milk purchases stop and customers refuse to buy the pots she makes, crippling their livelihood. The boycott demonstrates the power of collective retaliation against dissenters.

During a confrontation over a child marriage, the five Gurjar men beat Sohan and gang-rape Sanwari. The crime exposes the brutal consequences of continuing patriarchal and caste-based oppression. The trauma reverberates through the family and the village.

Sanwari and Sohan attempt to file a First Information Report at the local police station, but the inspector refuses to lodge it without a medical report. The case exposes corruption and procedural obstacles within law enforcement. The family’s path to justice stalls at the outset.

The doctor declines to issue a medical report without a court order, explaining that rape cases require legal authorization. This bureaucratic obstruction delays vital evidence. The struggle highlights systemic barriers to accountability.

With Shobha's help, the couple secures a court order, allowing the medical examination to proceed. The intervention makes it possible to gather official evidence for the case. The legal breakthrough contrasts with ongoing social hostility.

A medical test is conducted in Jaipur two days after the incident, and the formal complaint is lodged thereafter. The distance to Jaipur underscores bureaucratic persistence and the need for credible documentation. This step draws national attention to the case.

The case receives national attention when a Delhi-based NGO leader intervenes on Sanwari's behalf. The Prime Minister's Office becomes involved and offers support from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. The official interest signals a shift in political will toward justice.

The alleged offenders are arrested and brought to trial, but face protection from the local MLA, Dhanraj Meena. A lawyer is hired to defend them, illustrating political influence in the judicial process. The trial becomes a battleground of power and accountability.

A Gurjar lawyer defends Sanwari but faces community pressure to favor the accused. The defense strategy exploits social loyalties, complicating the pursuit of justice. The courtroom becomes a stage for broader social conflict.

Judges handling the case are transferred multiple times, delaying the proceedings. Ultimately, the five accused walk free, with the verdict against Sanwari's demands for justice. The outcome underscores the perceived failures of the legal system.

The film closes with Deepti Naval's narration affirming Bhanwari Devi's refusal to give up the fight for justice. Sanwari's legacy as a rape activist endures as she helps other women recover and seek aid. The message ties the historical case to ongoing social reform.