What follows is a brutal depiction of Indian society’s obsession with physical appearance. Abandoned by her husband and humiliated by her in-laws, Anupama loses custody of her child and is thrown into a world of poverty and ostracism. The title Mahashweta refers to a stage actress who befriends Anupama, teaching her that independence and self-worth are more valuable than the fickle love of a man or the validation of society.
