They Call Me Chamar 1979
In Loksen Lalvani's stark 1979 short film *They Call Me Chamar*, the viewer is transported to the sun-baked villages of north India, where caste divides run as deep as the sacred Ganges.
Director: Loksen Lalvani
Frequently Asked Questions
What is They Call Me Chamar (1979) about?
The film follows Ram Dayal Dixit, a Brahmin who willingly lives as a Dalit in a village 30 km from Varanasi. After marrying a Harijan woman, he faces violent backlash from upper-caste Hindus, yet refuses to abandon his beliefs. The story becomes a piercing look at the brutal realities of caste oppression in rural India.
Who directed They Call Me Chamar?
They Call Me Chamar was directed by Loksen Lalvani, a filmmaker known for socially conscious cinema that challenges entrenched norms.
Who stars in They Call Me Chamar?
Cast details are not listed for this 1979 short; however, the narrative centers on Ram Dayal Dixit as the central figure.
Is They Call Me Chamar (1979) worth watching?
While unrated on IMDb and just 16 minutes long, the film offers a powerful glimpse into caste-based struggles rarely seen in mainstream cinema. Its historical and cultural significance makes it worth seeking out for fans of Indian social realism.
How long is They Call Me Chamar?
They Call Me Chamar runs for 16 minutes.
About They Call Me Chamar (1979) — A brahmin's defiance exposes India's hidden caste walls
In Loksen Lalvani's stark 1979 short film *They Call Me Chamar*, the viewer is transported to the sun-baked villages of north India, where caste divides run as deep as the sacred Ganges. Ram Dayal Dixit, a Brahmin who chooses to live among the Harijans and marries a Dalit woman, becomes an outcast in the very community that once revered him. His defiance is not born of arrogance but of quiet conviction, turning a personal stand into a searing commentary on a society still shackled by birthright hierarchy.
This 16-minute cinematic essay captures a moment of raw moral courage amid the dust and decay of rural tradition. Shot through with quiet intensity, the film strips away political rhetoric to reveal the human cost of caste, making it a poignant entry in India's parallel cinema movement of the 1970s—one that lingers long after the credits roll.