One of the best films by one of India's greatest filmmakers - a multi-layered, subtly political and beautiful drama about the silent struggle of a woman in a society that would rather see her shut up.

Subrata, a young bank clerk, struggles to support his huge family on a meager salary. He cherishes his belief that “a woman's only place is that between with her cooking pots. So he is shocked when his wife Arati (Madhabi Mukherjee, Ray's regular actress) takes a job just when he risks losing his.

The whole family dynamic is turned upside down just at a time when India, just independent, is also going through a major change. This masterpiece is Satyajit Ray's first film set entirely in his hometown of Kolkata.