While Prakash Jha’s Damul (1985) had generated much buzz in the art house circles, it didn’t secure a theatrical release. Which, of course, didn’t stop him from hosting its ‘premiere’, at his own home, with Deepti Naval, his (then) wife, and friends. 

Everyone was obviously in praise of this fine film on feudalism, that astutely explains migration of farm labour at the time in Bihar. After his friends left, Jha asked his house help, who had equally dressed up for the occasion, what she felt about Damul. She said, “Acchi thi. Par agli bar banana, toh film banana (Was good, but make a proper film, next time)!”