Hari Bhari (2000) is a work of art by Shyam Benegal. Well made and handled with care and sensitivity - but still packing a punch with its message. The main theme of the movie revolved around a woman's womb (hence the title Hari Bhari, a common phrase used to mean 'Fertile' or 'Fertility') It's main theme shows the treatment of women, their ability to reproduce, and their worth as (sorry for the crudeness) 'baby making machines' for men so that they can carry on their family name. It shows how they are blamed for not being able to conceive boys, how they are expected to risk their health by not being allowed to have a hysterectomy, how they are expected to have one child after another within the tender years of their marriage, and how they cannot risk having young girls roaming about without getting married in case they mistakenly fall pregnant and shame the family. It revolves around how vulnerable and at risk she can be just because she has a womb, and how used she can be just because she has a womb to produce children. This scene sums up the movie for me - at the end of the movie you realise the message Shyam Benegal is trying to convey - that we can change the image that men and many countries still hold of women. That the future generations can be saved from this fixed image of 'baby making machines'. In this scene you see 3 generations; Amma (Sikri), her daughter Ghazala (Azmi) and her daughter Salma (Sachdev). You see how generation after generation, the image of the woman still has that stereotype in India, and all three generations of this family are suffering. This movie was absolutely amazing and I would definately recommend it. All the actors were sensational and not one was over acting or trying too hard. One of the many reasons why I love Shabana Azmi's work - her subtlety and poise. - Pooja - (gif by me)