When tears stop, a revolution begins… That’s how Rajkumar Santoshi would like to describe his latest flick LAJJA.

“LAJJA carries with it a responsibility. For, it is not just a film, but a film that says the truth. And saying the truth has seldom been easy,” Santoshi says.

LAJJA stars some of the best names in the business. “None of the characters or situations depicted in this film are imaginary or fictional. They are echoes of what is happening all around us in our so-called civilised society,” adds Santoshi.

A brief character sketch of the principal characters of LAJJA.

Rekha is Ramdulari, who depicts anguish.
She has committed a social crime! Being a Dalit woman, she has dared to educate her son. She has also cared to make her village women self-sufficient. At every stage, she has to face the wrath of the feudal system. But she combats it with valour. This progressive woman, in death, becomes a victim of the most regressive and darkest side of humanity.

Madhuri Dixit is Janki, who depicts fire.
She is the uncrowned queen of her very own world. She dares to live by her own unconventional rules. In fact, that makes her one of a kind. The glass of alcohol in her hand and an unborn child in her unwed existence do not add as much fire to her as does her refusal to suffer injustice. But for this, she finds herself at the feet of a conventional and unforgiving society.

Manisha Koirala is Vaidehi, who depicts pain.
Vaidehi’s marriage spells the story of sensitivity and innocence coming together with callousness and selfishness. For her patience and understanding, she is rewarded with torment and trauma. She decides to run away from it all and thus a significant journey begins. But she finds that she is not the only one. In fact, the horror has only begun. The film is seen through her agonised eyes.

Mahima Chaudhary is Maithili, who depicts rebellion.
She is a bride-to-be. Bedecked in finery, ornaments and a bridal veil. However, her veil unveils the price that the helpless and disadvantaged father of the bride has to pay. Demands and humiliation come his way. The daughter in her takes it all, until the woman in her takes over… and she rebels.

Jackie Shroff is Raghu, who depicts wrath.
He is Vaidehi’s husband. As pleasures of life seek prominence, the marriage vows lose their significance. To get what he wants, he will go to any extent. Now, Vaidehi has something he desperately wants. And if she is on the run, he is on a mission. He’s an upper class man, with the lowest of morals!

Anil Kapoor is Raghu, who depicts strength.
He is a petty thief. Despite having a heart of gold, he still endeavours to steal hearts. The law can never find him, but a person in need always can… Such is his strength. His sharp observation and wry humour make one almost glad that he is on the other side of the law and society.

Ajay Devgan is Bulwa, who depicts hope.
Every time severe atrocity has governed, a saviour has emerged. Bulwa is the messiah of the less fortunate. His bullets shield the innocent. He is their only hope. And hope never dies…

Danny Denzongpa is Gajendra Babu, who depicts torment.
He is a powerful man who has everything, except a conscience. A village head, he considers it his prerogative to make his own rules ­ rules which no one is allowed to break. And if that does happen, then he is hell revisited.

Gulshan Grover is Virendra Babu, who depicts terror.
This younger brother of Gajendra Babu is his partner in crime. He revels in the injustice spread by his brother and in fact becomes terror personified. He unleashes inhuman fury at the snap of a finger, targeting life itself.