The Awakening (2009)

Genres - Drama  |   Run Time - 92 min.  |   Countries - India  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Mark Deming

Two people trapped by the ignorance and fear of others find strength in one another in this drama from filmmaker Rajiv Patil. Suli (Mukta Barve) is a bright young woman living in a small village in rural India. When Suli's hair becomes thick and matted, some superstitious townspeople cite an old wives tale that it's a omen of evil, and Suli is forced to become a jogtin, an acolyte of the goddess Yellamma who is required to serve others at their request, often in the form of sexual favors. As Suli struggles to adjust to the humiliation of her new life, she meets Tayappa (Upendra Limaye), a man who was similarly bullied into serving Yellamma after he developed a urinary condition. For Tayappa, the humiliation is even worse -- he's made to wear women's clothes and have sex with other men as part of his penance. Suli and Tayappa strike up a friendship that grows into love as they struggle to maintain their dignity and find a way out of the life others have thrust upon them. Jogwa (aka The Awakening) also stars Kishor Kadam and Vinay Apte.