Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women (2005)

Interesting facts

Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women is a 2003 Indian dystopian tragedy film written and directed by Manish Jha. The film examines the impact of female feticide and female infanticide on the gender balance and consequently the stability and attitudes of society. Its storyline bears some resemblance to real-life instances of gender imbalance and economics resulting in fraternal polyandry and bride buying in some parts of India. It depicts a future in an Indian village populated exclusively by males due to female infanticide over the years.

Development and production

Director Manish Jha's debut short film, A Very Very Silent Film (2001), had previously won the Jury Prize for the Best Short Film at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002. He got the idea of Matrubhoomi upon reading, in a news magazine, about a village in Gujarat without women.

Having grown up in Bihar, he said he was aware of the practice of female infanticide and wanted to write a script about a future village if the practice continued. As women became extinct, the film allowed him to bring to light issues like polyandry, bride buying and rape.

Matrubhoomi's lead actress Tulip Joshi had refused the film after the first reading, but eventually decided to take it up. Later, she added, "But I'm glad I took it up finally, even though there was a point when I felt disgusted."

The film was shot on a tight budget of Rs. 2 crore, in Renai, a remote village in Harda district of Madhya Pradesh in 29 days. The cast included actors from Delhi theatre circuit, Sushant Singh, Aditya Shrivastav, Piyush Mishra and Deepak Bandhu.

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