Aarohan (1982), directed by Shyam Benegal, is a powerful portrayal of the exploitative zamindari system, delivered with unflinching honesty. Starring Victor Banerjee and Om Puri as the lead characters, with Dipti Bhatt as Hari's wife, the film is set against the backdrop of the turbulent 1960s. It tells the poignant story of a poor farmer's suffering under a cruel and manipulative landlord, while also exploring the rising tide of Naxalism during that period. Written by Shama Zaidi and with cinematography by Govind Nihalani, Arohan vividly critiques the deep inequities of the zamindari system and the human toll of social injustice. As one of the key figures in the Parallel Cinema movement, Shyam Benegal was instrumental in shaping the New India Cinema. He earned numerous accolades for his body of work, including 18 National Film Awards, a Filmfare Award, and a Nandi Award. In 2005, he was honored with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest cinema honor. Earlier, in 1976, he received the Padma Shri, followed by the Padma Bhushan in 1991 for his contribution to Indian cinema. His quartet of films—Ankur (1973), Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976), and Bhumika (1977)—is widely credited with defining the success of New India Cinema in the 1970s and early 1980s. Arohan remains a politically charged and socially relevant film, exploring the complexities of India's caste system and class struggles. It won the 1982 National Film Award for Best Actor (Om Puri) and Best Feature Film in Hindi, further cementing Shyam Benegal's reputation as one of India's finest filmmakers.