Dahan

Dahan

Year: 1998

Runtime: 145 mins

Language: Bengali, Bangla

Director: Rituparno Ghosh

Drama

Newlywed Romita is attacked on her way home by five men. The only person who steps forward is her teacher Jhinuk, who becomes a celebrated heroine appearing on front pages. However, as police and neighbors begin probing, both women face intimidation, while the perpetrators walk free thanks to corruption and entrenched male dominance.

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Timeline & Setting – Dahan (1998)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dahan (1998). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary

The events take place in modern-day India, reflecting current social norms, media influence, and the legal process. The narrative engages with present-day police, courts, and public discourse surrounding violence against women. It emphasizes the pressures of family reputation and societal judgments in a contemporary setting.

Location

Kolkata, West Bengal, India

The story unfolds in an Indian urban milieu, with scenes centered around family homes, bustling streets, and a courtroom atmosphere. Kolkata’s social fabric—its traditions, gender expectations, and the public press—serves as the backdrop for the confrontation between private trauma and public judgment. The open road incident and the legal battle highlight the everyday realities faced by women in contemporary Indian society.

🏙️ City life 🇮🇳 Indian setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:14

Main Characters – Dahan (1998)

Meet the key characters of Dahan (1998), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Romita Chaudhury - Rituparna Sengupta

A newlywed wife who endures assault on the open road and later faces pressure from conservative in-laws after a rape by her husband. She grapples with public perception, familial duty, and the desire to rebuild her life—potentially abroad—while weighing the cost of pursuing justice. Her resilience grows as she documents changes in her status and navigates a difficult legal landscape.

💪 Brave 🧭 Determined 🧵 Family-first

Palash Chaudhury (Polash Chaudhury) - Abhishek Chatterjee

Romita's husband, whose anger and a moment of violence propel the central crisis. He embodies the male fragility and aggression that trigger the assault, and the response to his actions reveals the social consequences of domestic abuse. His behavior drives the conflict in the courtroom and within the family.

💢 Aggressive 💔 Abuser 🏠 Husband

Srobona Sarkar (Jhinuk) - Indrani Haldar

A schoolteacher who becomes the film’s moral anchor, stepping forward to assist Romita and pursue justice. She faces threats and social pushback but remains steadfast in her commitment to punishment of the criminals. Her courage leads to public recognition as a heroine, even as she contends with the limits of the system.

🛡️ Protector 🤝 Ally 🧭 Moral compass

Jhinuk's Fiancé - Sanjib Dasgupta

The fiancé whose family exerts pressure and offers incentives to influence the case, illustrating the broader social dynamics at play. He represents the tension between personal relationships and the imperative to stand by a victim. His stance reflects the difficulty of upholding integrity in the face of external pressure.

💑 Partner 🧭 Family pressure

Romita's Father - Subhendu Chatterjee

A patriarch whose traditionalism and concern for family reputation complicate Romita's pursuit of justice. He embodies the inertia of conservative values that resist change and discourage challenging the status quo.

👨‍👧‍👦 Traditionalist 🧱 Family duty

Romita's Father-in-Law - Dibya Bhattacharya

Another in-law figure who participates in the social pressure surrounding the case. His stance reflects the broader familial dynamics that influence Romita’s decisions and the course of the trial.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 In-law authority 🧱 Social pressure

Mamata Shankar - Romita's Sister-in-Law

A supporter within the in-law circle who offers emotional or practical aid, illustrating how solidarity from relatives can challenge entrenched norms. Her presence provides a counterbalance to punitive expectations.

🫶 Supportive 🤝 Family ally

Gang Leader - Rabi Ranjan Moitra

One of the antagonists who exerts intimidation and manipulation to influence outcomes. His actions reveal the criminal underbelly that preys on vulnerable women and undermines justice.

🕴️ Criminal 🗡️ Threat

Jhinuk's Mother - Shakuntala Barua

A maternal figure whose concern for safety and reputation shapes the family’s responses to the violence and legal process. She represents the protective instincts and cultural expectations surrounding motherhood.

👩‍👧 Protective 🛡️ Maternal

Jhinuk's Grandmother - Suchitra Mitra

The elder in the family who embodies tradition and resilience. Her presence underscores the intergenerational perspectives on gender, honor, and justice.

👵 Elderly wisdom 🧭 Generational perspective

Prostitute - Chandni

A minor character connected to the film’s broader social milieu, illustrating the darker realities of urban life and the complexities of marginalized voices within the society depicted.

🕊️ Marginalized 🌗 Social realism

Government Lawyer - Nirmal Kumar Chakrabarti

The legal representative in the case, whose role highlights the formalities and pressures of the judicial system. The lawyer’s presence marks the procedural aspect of seeking justice for the victims.

⚖️ Legal role 🗂️ Courtroom

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:14

Major Themes – Dahan (1998)

Explore the central themes of Dahan (1998), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Gender Justice

The film centers on violence against women and the struggle to seek justice within a system that often tilts in favor of preserving reputation. It examines how victims navigate coercion, threats, and blame while trying to secure accountability. The courtroom arc exposes the gaps between intent and outcome, challenging viewers to question fairness in gendered legal battles.

🤝 Female Solidarity

Romita and Jhinuk embody different responses to violence, yet both embody resilience. Their parallel journeys—one through personal endurance and the other through active pursuit of justice—reveal the strength found in female solidarity. The narrative emphasizes mutual support, courage, and the resolve to move forward despite setbacks.

💔 Trauma

The characters carry emotional scars from assault, betrayal, and social judgment. The film portrays how trauma shapes decisions, fuels fear, and motivates perseverance. It also shows the long shadow of violence on personal relationships and future hopes.

🧱 Social Pressure

Conservative family expectations and the threat of social shaming pressurize victims to withdraw from cases. The in-laws’ influence, compromised police support, and economic incentives illustrate how society incentives silence and complicity. The film highlights how communal norms can obstruct justice and sustain abuse.

🏛️ Justice System

Despite courageous efforts, the criminals are released, underscoring gaps in legal processes and accountability. The case exposes the tension between public outcry and procedural outcomes. It critiques how gender biases and systemic inertia can hinder victims seeking redress.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:14

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Narrative Summary

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Movies about Trauma and Resilience like Dahan

Methodical explorations of survival and the long, painful road after trauma.For viewers who appreciated Dahan's deep dive into the aftermath of assault, this list collects similar movies about trauma and resilience. These films share a steady pacing and heavy emotional weight, focusing on the long-term psychological impact on survivors and their difficult journey forward.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern centers on a life-altering traumatic incident, after which the story meticulously charts the emotional fallout. It explores the protagonist's internal struggle, the often-insensitive reactions of their community, and the arduous path toward some form of resilience or acceptance, without offering easy solutions or quick healing.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their sober, unflinching examination of trauma. They share a similar vibe: a steady, deliberate pacing that mirrors the slow process of healing; a dark, somber tone that refuses to look away from pain; and a high intensity born from the raw, emotional subject matter.

Unlock the Full Story of Dahan

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Dahan Summary

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Dahan Summary

Dahan Timeline

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Dahan Timeline

Dahan Spoiler-Free Summary

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Dahan Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Dahan

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