MIRANDA HOUSE

UNIVERSITY OF DELHI

SOCIOLOGY CONTINOUS ASSESMENT

SEMESTER – III

NAME: TISHYA RAVI JATHLEY (2022/1245)

ALIYA NAUSHAD (2022/ 86 )

COURSE: B.A PROGRAM

TOPIC OF ASSESMENT: MOVIE REVIEW HIGHLIGHTING

THE CONCEPT GIVEN BY ONE OF THE KEY SOCIOLOGICAL
THINKERS
MOVIE REVIEW ON ‘DO BIGHA ZAMIN’IN A
SOCIOLOGICAL ASPECT

OBJECTIVE : To understand the movie ‘Do bigha zamin’, a cult classic of the
1950s through the lens of Marx’s philosophy and his concept of division of
class on economic basis.
ABOUT THE MOVIE: The movie is based on Rabindranath Tagore's Bengali
poem "Dui Bigha Jomi", the film stars Balraj Sahni, Nirupa Roy in lead roles and
was released in 1953 . Known for its socialist theme, it is considered an
important film in the early parallel cinema of India, and a trend setter.’ Do
Bigha Zamin’ (1953) is a sociologically rich cinematic masterpiece that delves
into the socio-economic fabric of post-independence rural India. Directed by
Bimal Roy, the film serves as a poignant commentary on the agrarian crisis and
the plight of farmers during a period of significant societal transition.
The story revolves around a poor farmer named Shambu, played by Balraj
Sahni, who faces economic hardship and the threat of losing his ancestral two
acres of land due to mounting debts. To repay the debt, Shambu is forced to
migrate to the city of Calcutta (now Kolkata) in search of work.
In Calcutta, Shambu encounters the harsh realities of urban life, including
exploitation by the wealthy and the struggle for survival. The film portrays the
socio-economic divide and the challenges faced by rural migrants in an
industrialized city. Shambu takes up various odd jobs, including rickshaw
pulling, to earn enough money to save his land.
The narrative unfolds as Shambu faces numerous obstacles, but his
determination and resilience drive him to persevere. The film captures the
essence of the human spirit against adversity and serves as a powerful
commentary on socio-economic disparities in post-independence India.
"Do Bigha Zamin" is known for its realistic portrayal of social issues and earned
critical acclaim for its storytelling, performances, and social commentary. It
remains a significant milestone in Indian cinema and is regarded as one of the
classics of the parallel cinema movement.
A moderate commercial success, it was awarded the All India Certificate of
Merit for Best Feature Film, it became the first film to win the Filmfare Best
Movie Award and the first Indian film to win the International Prize at the
Cannes Film Festival, after Neecha Nagar (1946), which won the Palme d'Or
(Grand Prize). It was also won the Social Progress Award at the Karlovy Vary
International Film Festival.
SOCIOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE FILM : Marxist theory, characterized
by its focus on the conflict between social classes and the influence of
economic factors on society, finds resonance in the film Do Bigha Zamin. The
symbolization of the proletariat's battle against the bourgeoisie is
demonstrated through the gradual transition of Shambhu from being a farmer
to a rickshaw driver, as well as the exploitation faced by the peasantry at the
hands of moneylenders. The movie underscores the impact of economic
aspects on the destinies of the individuals, thus strengthening the Marxist
notion that the means of production have an effect on societal connections.
The Film suggests that your economic status can shape your life and
opportunities which means the economy is base and organisation like
education, government are superstructures.
The urban environment is a reflection of the larger socio-economic landscape.
Shambu's encounters as a rickshaw driver acquaint him with the harsh truths
of urban destitution, as the film approaches and scrutinizes the socio
economic disparities that endure in post-colonial India.
The Marxist theory, on the significance of alienation is strongly evident when
Shambu confronts the dehumanizing aspect of his job and highlights the
disconnection between the worker and the outcome of their work,
emphasizing the loss of connection. Shambu experiences alienation when he
loses his land and enters the city. It's like being separated from what he used
to do on his farm, a crucial idea for Marx. The city, portrayed as a bustling
place, becomes a site where Shambu feels exploited, contrasting with the calm
village life. So this is kind of alienation related to the estrangement of things,
as Shambu was not able to feel connected with the service he was associated
with in the city as he was able to do as a farmer, Self estrangement as he
started disassociating with himself when he went to the city and entered a
more capitalist society and Estrangement of man from man as people in
Calcutta were not very friendly with him and were not talking to him in the
first place, let alone helping him and his son.

The movie also explores the impact of industrialization on a traditional

agricultural community. The contrast between the agricultural backdrop and
the urban surroundings showcases the paradox between the values of
tradition and the advancements of modernity. Marxist theory, characterized by
its historical materialism, provides valuable understanding of how economic
transformations can disrupt established social structures and reshape the
dynamics of production.
While Do Bigha Zamin provides a potent sociological analysis, it also presents a
subtle perspective- "Human activity encompasses a wide range of actions
conducted by individuals and groups”. It refers to the various behaviours,
tasks, and pursuits undertaken by humans in their daily lives.
Shambu's resolute commitment to safeguarding his country and loved ones,
even in the face of systemic forces that oppose him, confronts the
deterministic perspectives found within certain interpretations of Marxist
theory. This intricate depiction implies that individuals have the ability to
demonstrate independence and defiance even when confronted with
oppressive systems.
Hence, this movie strings the right cords of societal theory as explained by
Marx in his work.