The film is horrible viewing and yet inspiring that one woman could survive through such events in such a society. The subject matter must have been very difficult to act through but she is without a flaw in the lead - the only problem being the slightly sympathetic edge towards her acts of revenge that the film gives. Seema Biswas is excellent as Phoolan Devi, she convinces throughout the film. All characters no matter how repugnant or noble are played as totally believable - for many you see both sides of their characters. The film should have a more even tone across all these actions. Many of those killed by Phoolan's gang had not done anything to her and were "innocent". Where the film is weak is the depiction of the two sets of violence - violence against Phoolan is shown as horrible and unforgivable as it should be, however her acts of retaliation are filmed with a more artistic camera and you get the feeling that we are meant to take it that these acts of violence are less horrible because they are revenge attacks. It's sad that worldwide women are treated as second-class citizens, often subject to this type of terrible abuse as a matter of daily life - even sadder that many religions are interpreted to allow it. This is still very hard to sit and watch be it the abuse by her husband at 11 or the gang rape of adulthood. This focus allows the viewer to see the pain that is inflicted by the abuse. Scenes of abuse are tactfully portrayed with the focus on Phoolan's face rather than the act itself. The film follows from rise (if you can call it that) from abused child to Bandit Queen. The film is a fascinating account of the life of Phoolan Devi who was assassinated in September 2001.
She is partially liberated by Vikram Mallah (Nirmal Pandey), one of the bandits she is taken in by and eventually rises to lead the group, extracting vicious revenge on upper-cast men in repayment for what they had done to her. Phoolan Devi (played by Seema Biswas) is sold into marriage at 11 and is repeatedly abused from then onwards because she is a woman.
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