Amrapali (2002)

Amrapali is set in ancient Vaishali. It tells the story of the sudden transformation of a beautiful, innocent girl, Amrapali, into a mature adult. Abandoned by her parents, Amrapali was found as an infant under a mango tree by Mahanaman. He took her to a village on the outskirts of Vaishali, where she grew up and fell in love with a man named Harsh. Out of curiosity, she visits Vaishali to see the Phalguni Utsav organised every seven years to crown the new Janpath Kalyani of Vaishali. This title is given every seven years to the most beautiful and talented woman of the kingdom, who may then entertain the men of her choice. Amrapali's visit to the utsav changes the course of her life. In a dramatic turn of events, she gets drunk and joins the group of beauties contending to become Janpath Kalyani. Later she works for the uplift of women and wages a battle to end the practice of Janpath Kalyani. In the process, she loses her beloved as well as her freedom, and embraces Buddhism.