Inspired by true events. Scarecrow, tells the true story of a young woman who is attempting to escape from an abusive arranged marriage. After she is forced to stand trial for her efforts to flee, she is gang raped by the members of the village council. She is now serving a life sentence in India for killing her husband, who kept her bound and gagged while the raping occurred.—Anonymous
In an intimate look at the status of women in rural India, Bijuka tells the true story of Lalli and Painku, a young couple brought together by arranged marriage. Painku, rumored to be a grand lothario in his village, harbors a secret that undercuts their new union. Lallis life, one of indentured servitude and drudgery, isfurther made trying by Painkus coldness and lack of interest in her. As the first rains fall, Lalli is allowed to return home for a brief visit. While confiding in her family about her new life, Lalli lets slip that she and Painku had yet to consummate their union. In this, Lallis father believes he has found a loop hole that could justify an annulment. When Lalli fails to return to Painku, he implores the village Panchayat to intercede. During the meeting of the council, it is ordered that Lalli must provide physical proof of Painkus impotence by demonstrating the act before them. As soon as the Panchayat get the couple alone, they proceed to gang rape Lalli while Painku restrains her. After the assault, the members of the council proclaim that Lallis allegation of Painkus impotence was a lie and that she must return to her husband. In the dead of night, a beaten and shattered Lalli kills Painku with an axe. Having turned herself infor the murder, Lalli is now serving a life sentence in Rajasthan
