The Film: Lajja
Cast: Manisha Koirala, Madhuri Dixit, Mahima Chaudhry, Rekha, Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgan, Jackie Shroff, and Urmila Matondkar (Song Appearence)
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
Producer: Rajkumar Santoshi
Music: Anu Malik
Lyrics: Sameer

Synopsis:
In a time where modern society in India concentrates on the unjust treatment towards women, a movie is made to validate how women have been treated in the past and are treated equally as bad in the present. Produced and directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, Lajja is a movie that promises to demonstrate just that. The movie also has a favorable female cast that includes Rekha, Madhuri Dixit, Manisha Koirala, Sonali Bendre, Urmila Mantodkar, Ritu Shivpuri, and Mahima Chaudhary. It co-stars Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, and Ajay Devgan.

The movie is about four women who have been mistreated badly by different types of men.

The film narrates the story of four women who have either been tormented or exploited by men for their selfish gains. It begins from the opulent city of New York and ends at a remote village in Uttar Pradesh.

Rekha is Ramdulari, She is a feminist and her goal is to change women’s role in society, she has cared to make her village women self-sufficient.

Madhuri Dixit is Janki, a dazzling actress and dancer. She is about to get married to Manish (Sammer Soni), as she is pregnant with his child. Tinu Anand has a problem with their relationship and breaks them up. She decide to solve the problems by drinking but the glass of alcohol in her hand and an unborn child in her unwed existence do not add as much fire to her as does her refusal to suffer injustice.

Manisha Koirala is Vaidehi married to Raghu (Jackie Shroff), JAckie in the movie cheats her and she tries to run away and from here her journey begins.She finds that she is not the only one going through all this unjust treatment and so here the story goes.

Mahima Chaudhary is Maithili, The girl who Been Pressurised to get married. The wedding does not actually happen because of the dowry falling short.

The story starts of in the U.S.A with Vaidehi (Manisha Koirala) married to Raghu (Jackie Shroff), who is very affluent and influential man. The police in both US and India have a strong dislike for him and fear him. He is also a man who does not mind cheating on his wife and getting into affairs with other women. Vaidehi finds out about one of these women (Ritu Shivpuri), and like any normal wife objects to the whole thing. Raghu, who has never had anyone tell him what to do, reacts visciously. After this, Raghu meets with an unfortunate accident that leaves him unable to have children. He realizes that he needs a child and seeks to get Vaidehi back as she is pregnant. Still, he really isn’t interested in her, only her child. Raghu sends two cronies after her.

While on the run she runs into wedding, Here the focus of the movie shifts. The girl who is getting married is Maithili (Mahima Chaudhary) who is being pressurised into getting married. The wedding does not actually happen because of the dowry falling short. Vaidehi (Manisha) tries to run away but Raju (Anil Kapoor) finds her. Somehow she finds her way to Raju’s village and ends up in the care of Purushottam (Tinu Anand).

The first half of the movie is lengthy and lacks the intense moments. But the second half brings in Madhuri Dixit, Ajay Devgan and Rekha's wonderful performances, due to which the graph of the movie moves up.

Janki (Madhuri Dixit), a dazzling actress and dancer. She is about to get married to Manish (Sammer Soni), as she is pregnant with his child. Purushottam has a problem with their relationship and breaks them up. Vaidehi and Janki decide to solve their problems by drinking. One day Purushottam beats up Janki badly and also finds out about Raghu through an ad he saw in the newspapers and gets in contact with him. Purushottam’s wife helps her escape when Raghu comes after her. On her train journey to nowhere in particular, she comes across thieves and ends up in a small village where she meets Ramdulari (Rekha).

Ramdulari(Rekha) is a feminist and her goal is to change women’s role in society.

As in every village, this village has its own villans; Gajendra Babu (Danny Dengzonpa) and Mahendra Babu (Gulshan Grover). They are bent on controlling the village. The story goes on as Ramdulari’s son and Gajendra’s daughter fall in love with each other and run away with Vaidehi, and Gajendra Babu ends up killing Ramdulari. Now the fugitives are helped out by Bulwa (Ajay Devgan), a dacoit who is against Gajendra Babu and ends up killing his brother. The ending is as dramatic as it is suspenseful.

Santoshi has contributed to a lot to the film along with the wonderful performances. The scenes like Madhuri facing the miscarriage on the street was mind blowing, Ajay Devgan's introduction and his conflict with Danny in the end of the movie. Rekha's rape scene was executed brilliantly.

Everyone has given brilliant performances in this movie, especially Manisha Koirala. This movie should put her back on top with the rest of the big names. Madhuri has also given a brilliant performance. The rest of the actresses are mostly special appearances. The director left no stones unturned as the script was incredible and the choreography was beautiful. Ajay Devgan performed the best of the actors, Jackie Shroff was good in a villainous role. The music by Anu Malik is also good, especially the item songs by Urmila “Aaye, Aa Jaaye”, Sonali “Mujhe Saajan Ke Ghar”, and “Badi Mukhkil Baba Badi Mushkil” by Madhuri and Manisha. With such a star cast this movie can do no wrong. The audience will definitely appreciate the amount of time and work that has gone into this film.

Overall, LAJJA is a Focused and Purposeful film with a lot of commercial aspects in it. The best part is that the Indian masses will be able to identify with the goings-on. An enviable star cast, a talented director and an excellent second half are amongst its strong points.