Trishna

Set in modern India, the narrative moves between rural and metropolitan environments. The era features private wealth, hospitality houses, dance studios, and film-industry investments, reflecting current social and economic dynamics. The time frame underscores the negotiation of autonomy, gender norms, and power within a changing society.

The story unfolds across rural Rajasthan and the urban expanse of Mumbai. Rajasthan provides a traditional backdrop with family hotels and social hierarchies, while Mumbai exposes Trishna to wealth, glamour, and the pressures of contemporary dance and cinema. The contrast between these spaces highlights class tensions and the power dynamics at the center of the relationship.

👑 Power & Control

Jay wields wealth and social status to dominate Trishna, turning affection into possession. The dynamic plays out in both private moments and public spaces, with coercive behavior cloaked as romance in the abuser's eyes. The film examines how stark power imbalances distort consent and shape a victim’s choices.

🧭 Choice & Agency

Trishna grapples with limited options, torn between survival, love, and independence. Her pursuit of a dancing career is undermined by manipulation and financial dependence. The narrative traces the struggle to assert autonomy within a coercive relationship.

🪞 Society & Shame

Family reputation, class expectations, and gender norms frame Trishna's decisions and their consequences. Social judgment compounds personal trauma, revealing how communities police women's bodies and choices. The ending underscores the corrosive impact of stigma and oppression.