The film uses the backdrop of India’s economic liberalization (which began in the early 90s). The influx of consumer goods created a new desire for affluence among the middle class. Mansi’s entry into prostitution is not driven solely by lust, but by a desire for the material comforts her husband’s meager salary cannot provide. This added a layer of social realism to the drama, making the character’s moral compromise relatable, if not justifiable, to the audience.
Basu Bhattacharya’s final film, Aastha: In the Prison of Spring (1997) The film uses the backdrop of India’s economic
Mansi finds herself "submerged into the abyss of guilt" as she leads a parallel life, eventually seeking redemption through a complex confession to her husband. Intellectual vs. Material: making the character’s moral compromise relatable