At a time when women-centric meant Dream Girl brand of roles, wherein the heroine was either a impish rogue or damsel-in-distress, Shyam Benegal introduced us to the multiple dimensions of his unconventional heroine's persona.
Adapted from the memoirs of Marathi actress Hansa Wadkar - Sangtye Aika, Bhumika chronicles the poignant story of a woman's exploitation and realisations through a series of bad relationships via several flashbacks and the running parallels of her roles on screen and off it during pre and post independence India.
Under Benegal's keen artistry, skilful screenplay and visual panache, the ever-talented set of Amol Palekar, Naseeruddin Shah, Amrish Puri and Anant Nag communicate overwhelming greyness of the characters they place.
But only an actress of Smita Patil's calibre could have conveyed the astonishing unpredictability and touching gullibility of her Usha/Urvashi.
Patil's sterling act in the film earned her a deserving National Award for Best Actress.
Also Read: Discovering Shyam Benegal
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