Vasantasena, a courtesan who dances at the King Palaka's court hides in Charudatta's house while running away from the amorous attentions of the king's brother-in-law. She falls in love with Charudatta, though he is married and penniless.
Production
Lush sets that ate the entire 1984 Bollywood budget
Acting
Rekha serving courtesan glamour with devastating vulnerability
Writing
Karnad adapting classic Sanskrit drama for chaotic modern sensibilities
Director
Girish Karnad
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Adapted from Sudraka's 5th-century Sanskrit play 'Mricchakatika,' one of India's oldest surviving dramas.
Shashi Kapoor produced this to fund serious cinema—he plays the buffoon villain with zero vanity.
IN
