Agami Kal (1983)

Evocative and provocative, this socially relevant drama delves into the struggles of many women in patriarchal India, where they are stigmatised and exploited all the way, through the twists and turns in the life of Sumita, who is a beautiful young woman from a middle-class background. She gets married to Subinay Roy, a man chosen by her parents to be her life partner.

However, all her dreams of a blissful married life turn into a nightmare when she finds out that her husband is having an illicit affair with her sister-in-law. They subject her to immense physical and emotional torture, until, unable to take it any longer, she returns home to her parents.

To add to her woes, her father suddenly passes away leaving her family with no income and in dire financial straits. Burdened with the responsibility of caring for her mother and her mentally challenged elder brother, Sumita attempts to find a job, but is unsuccessful. Desperate for survival, she finds herself with no other choice than to become a sex worker.

During her desperate search for work, Sumita meets and falls in love with Sarbajit Mitra, who is also unemployed. How will Sarbajit react when he comes to know of Sumita's true profession? Is there any hope for Sumita to regain respect in society? How will her love story with Sarbajit pan out?