Party

Govind Nihalani's 1984 Indian film takes place at a party in Bombay. Figures from the worlds of art and cinema gather to honour a writer. The film stays almost entirely inside the one house. The talk begins in praise and turns to gossip; an absent poet is mentioned again and again, and that name leads the guests to question their own positions. It is adapted from a stage play and the origin shows. Rohini Hattangadi and Vijaya Mehta appear. The narrative argues directly about the political responsibility of the artist. Who it's for: those who like Indian parallel cinema and dialogue-driven films. Who it's not for: viewers expecting visual storytelling; the film is talk from beginning to end.