In this absorbing urban thriller, Dasgupta's devastating hyper-realism forces us to confront a searing examination of corruption and cynicism in contemporary society. The film, which was acclaimed by critics at the Venice Film Festival in 1982, tells of a young labor activist's attempts to forego his ideals and lead a conventional life following the murder of a comrade who knew too much about corruption in a steel company near Calcutta. As if to confound his own goal, he becomes engaged to the sister of his dead friend, who naively hopes to keep her brother's values alive. The two watch from the sidelines as an enterprising reporter for a local daily, in his attempt to unravel the mysterious death of the labor leader, becomes the keeper of the flame. However, in Dasgupta's tragic vision there are no heroes; all the players are pawns in the game of a brutal ruling class.