Vanaja (2007)

81% of critics liked it
(27 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(1,755 ratings)

With the haunting adolescent drama Vanaja, Indian writer-director Rajnesh Domalpalli rewrites the oft-told tale of a young girl's journey into womanhood, by filtering its parameters through an indigenous Indian cultural lens and the concept of the caste system. The picture's title character is a… More With the haunting adolescent drama Vanaja, Indian writer-director Rajnesh Domalpalli rewrites the oft-told tale of a young girl's journey into womanhood, by filtering its parameters through an indigenous Indian cultural lens and the concept of the caste system. The picture's title character is a fifteen-year-old girl living and coming of age in a seaside village in India. Vanaja's heart longs to enter the household of Rama Devi, under whose tutelage she can master the South Indian narrative dance of kuchipudi - a ritual practiced by temple dancers and prostitutes. Rama Devi accepts Vanaja as a protege, but trouble brews when the matron's son, Shekhar (Karan Singh), enters the home and casts his eyes on the new pupil - trouble that threatens to rob Vanaja of her new position within Rama Devi's house and her honor in the eyes of the village, while forever stealing her innocence. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 51 min.
Directed By: Rajnesh Domalpalli
Written By: Rajnesh Domalpalli
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Oct 20, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Mar 28, 2008
Studio: Emerging Pictures

Critic Reviews

David Wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle
Bhukya delivers an entrancing and natural performance, deftly balancing both the wide-eyed childishness of a young girl with the dawning awareness of life's darker possibilities.
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
This is heart-wrenching Indian drama in the vein of Deepa Mehta's recent Water, again dealing with a young girl trying to find her self-worth in the midst of a repressive caste system and physical abuse.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
It's not easy to make a very sad movie that doesn't make you want to jump out a window when it's over. Vanaja pulls this off.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Vanaja, a beautiful and heart-touching film from India, represents a miracle of casting. Every role, including the challenging central role of a low-caste 14-year-old girl, is cast perfectly and played flawlessly.
Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader
Rajnesh Domalpalli made this poignant 2006 drama as his thesis film for a master's degree at Columbia University, yet its technique and development of character and theme are far more accomplished than those of most student films.
Sid Smith, Chicago Tribune
Vanaja, a film exploring the tensions of the caste system in contemporary rural India, boasts a compelling story on-screen and off.
Chris Kaltenbach, Baltimore Sun
A wondrous piece of filmmaking and a sensitive, engaging movie from a first-time filmmaker working on a shoestring budget with a cast of nonactors.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
[S]tunning both visually and emotionally, impressive as a first film and surely a harbinger of great things to come from Domalpalli...
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
There's loads of atmosphere and charm to this tale, but little that seems compelling or heartfelt to the drama, which in contrast feels sketchy and contrived, without a clear sense of character beyond conceptualized stick figures.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
There's loads of atmosphere and charm to this tale, but little that seems compelling or heartfelt to the drama, which in contrast feels sketchy and contrived, without a clear sense of character beyond conceptualized stick figures.
Louis Proyect, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Stunning portrait of caste oppression in South India, as well as the struggle of a young woman from the lower caste's to elevate herself through dance.
Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
[The film] shows, through Bhukya's heartbreaking performance, the difficulties faced by those trying to bust through the layers of class oppression.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
A large chunk of the film's success rests on the shoulders of its young star, Mamatha Bhukya.
Tom Keogh, Seattle Times
Vanaja is a timeless story of dignity maintained against all odds.
Sean Axmaker, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Blandly executed social drama of caste and social power.
Jason Ferguson, Orlando Weekly
Written and directed by Rajnesh Domalpalli as his graduate thesis at Columbia University, Vanaja is an engaging and shocking look at class, gender roles and sexuality in rural India.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

Many Bollywood films are obsessed with material dreams, often depicting how a lower caste/class girl can find romance and fortune within the security of the lighter-skinned wealthy castes. This superb production undoes such a stereotype. Material ambitions can only prove devastating… More
Many Bollywood films are obsessed with material dreams, often depicting how a lower caste/class girl can find romance and fortune within the security of the lighter-skinned wealthy castes. This superb production undoes such a stereotype. Material ambitions can only prove devastating to a dark-skinned 15 year-old adolescent who wishes to exceed her fate, although all long within her soul there remains, as well, a sense of grace. Vanaja is directed with restraint by Rajnesh Domalpalli. It is an illuminating Hindi film and a credit to the fine arts program at Columbia University, which sponsored this project.
Leo L

A heartrending story plot that centralizes on a young fifteen year old girl who dreams of becoming a dancer someday. In order to provide, and pay her father's debt, Vanaja works in the home of Rama Devi. It is there that she helps with the household chores, and takes dancing… More
A heartrending story plot that centralizes on a young fifteen year old girl who dreams of becoming a dancer someday. In order to provide, and pay her father's debt, Vanaja works in the home of Rama Devi. It is there that she helps with the household chores, and takes dancing lessons. Soon after, Rama Devi's son Shekhar returns. Headstrong and outspoken, Vanaja suffers a horrific deal that ultimately changes her life. Mamatha Bhukya, Urmila Dammannagari, Karan Singh, and Ramachandriah Marikanti stars. Worthy!