Dharavi (1991)

In the heart of Dharavi, the world's largest slum, where the echo of dreams often drowns in the cacophony of survival, lives Rajkaran. A taxi driver by trade, he is caught in a relentless struggle against the chains of impoverishment, paying off his taxi in small, gruelling installments. His family - his wife Kumud and their son - reside in a cramped tenement where even basic amenities like water and electricity are luxuries, accessible only through a tangled web of illegal transactions. Despite these adversities, Rajkaran dreams of a brighter future. His eyes gleam with aspirations of owning his taxi and venturing into his own business of dyeing clothes. A glimmer of hope emerges as he, along with three others, manage to secure the necessary land and building for his venture. Things begin to look up for Rajkaran, his dreams seemingly on the brink of realization. His mother, Amma, even comes to live with them, adding to the joy. However, life in Dharavi is unpredictable, and the shadow of despair soon looms over Rajkaran's dreams. The building for his business is declared illegal by the Bombay Municipal Corporation and is razed to the ground. Unable to protect his investment, his taxi is repossessed, and his business partners abandon him. Tragedy strikes further when his mother discovers that his wife has returned to her ex-husband, Shankar. In his desperation, Rajkaran turns to crime, robbing a passenger, only to end up in jail. Emerging from his incarceration thanks to a corrupt system and false witnesses, he finds himself back where he started - homeless, penniless, and alone. With his life in ruins, Rajkaran must now confront the harsh realities of his existence and decide what he must do to shape his future in the unforgiving labyrinth of Dharavi.

Dharavi is a crime movie featuring Shabana Azmi and directed by Sudhir Mishra.

Dharavi is currently streaming on Mubi.