Chingaari (2006)

In the village of Rangpur, District of Badlapur, India, lives Narainda, who has been the Postmaster for the past 35 years. He has patiently awaited the arrival of an assistant so that he can consider retiring. His assistant arrives in the form of Chandan Mishra. Narainda teaches him to deliver mail, take a rupee for reading mail aloud--and avoid much contact with the prostitutes of Lal Batti. But the women of Lal Batti--Phulwa, Gulabo, Bijli, Padmavati, and Basanti and her young daughter Titli--are drawn to Chandan, and he becomes a frequent visitor there. The local High Priest Bhuvan Panda, who also visits Basanti late at night to satisfy his sexual lust, does not appreciate Chandan's frequent visits, especially after he finds out that Chandan is educated and very outspoken. Then a mysterious admirer of Basanti starts sending her love letters and even proposes marriage. When Bhuvan finds out, he forbids anyone to go to Lal Batti, as in his mind there are only three kinds of women: 1. Devi (Goddesses), 2. Mother who provides a heir for the family; and 3. Prostitutes. He forbids anyone to marry any prostitute. With patrons being intimidated by Bhuvan's instructions, no one dares go near Lal Batti, causing considerable anxiety and financial worries for the women there. The entire village waits in dread as the deadline approaches for Basanti's lover to materialize and marry her. Who is this mysterious admirer, and why does he want to marry a prostitute and go against the wishes of the all-powerful and deadly Bhuvan Panda?