A scene from Jetuka Pator Dore. Telegraph picture

Guwahati, Aug. 19: A woman’s fight against corrupt practices and her struggle to secure the rights of her fellow villagers is the heart of the National Award-winning film, Jetuka Pator Dore, which was released today in 17 theatres across the state.

The movie, depicting the life of poor farmers and fishermen of an interior village of Assam, received the best feature film award at the 58th National Film Awards, 2010.

It is based on a novel written by Syed Abdul Malik.

The movie premiered here yesterday and producer Noorul Sultan said one was also held at the Smriti Gopal Hall in Jorhat today for the people of Upper Assam.

Shot at Dergaon in Golaghat district — the novel’s original backdrop, the film features Kapil Borah, Raag Ainitam, Bishnu Khargharia, Arun Hazarika and Aimee Barua in lead roles. Mayur Sumon, Porinandhi, Poljit Goswami and Arindam Sarma Kashyap play roles of key child characters.

Set against the backdrop of an interior backward village of the state during the seventies, the 90-minute feature tells the story of Radha, a young woman from a so-called lower caste community who fights against corruption and for the rights of her community.

Radha, an orphan, grows up with the family of her maternal uncle. Another orphan, Rajat, also lives with them as domestic help and grows up together with Radha.

After matriculation, she takes admission in a local college and given her talent and intelligence, soon becomes popular among students and teachers.

Radha gets involved in village affairs and influences Rajat to think and act logically.

They soon join a mission to destroy country liquor dens and also question the actions of Jamuna Hazarika, a villager contractor, in running licensed liquor outlets.

They also expose the wrongdoings of Hazarika and his son while constructing a bund.

When monsoon arrives, the bund constructed by Hazarika proves to be too weak to save the village and the entire area is flooded.

The story moves on, portraying Radha in her struggle to secure the rights of her fellow villagers.

“The movie conveys the message that one has to fight for survival. Radha’s spirited fight for betterment of society, in the face of adversities, makes her appealing,” Anupama Chakraborty, a spectator, said.