This Indian movie Ardh Satya` is based on the short story named `Surya` written by D. A. Panvalkar. The screenplay was written by Vijay Tendulkar, who is a Marathi playwrit. He was also the screenplay writer of Nihalani`s previous film `Aakrosh`. This story is set at the backdrop of corruption and mafia invaded contemporary India. The protagonist here is a cop struggling both with evils around him and with his own evilness. This is considered as a landmark movie in the history of Indian cinema.

Synopsis of `Ardh Satya`
This Indian movie `Ardh Satya` is regarded as a masterpiece of Govind Nihalani`s creation. The film is an exploration of the mind and soul of an honest police officer, who finds himself amidst a corrupt police force. He is unable to fight or protect his viewpoint. He had entered the police force with a thought to serve the nation. But all have become ineffective due to this corruption. His girlfriend also becomes more courageous. The Indian movie Ardh Satya provided an insight into the growing police-politician-criminal nexus in the 70s and the 80s for the very first time.

The protagonist Anant Velankar played by Om Puri is a son of a violent policeman played by Amrish Puri and himself a police sub-inspector. During his duty to the nation he becomes desperate to arrest the gangster-politician Rama Shetty. But during the process Velankar is constantly frustrated by the mafia-politician nexus. Sadashiv Amrapurkar as Rama Shetty gives a convincing performance and Om Puri excels as the frustrated young man of the period. There was no songs and dance in the movie like other Bollywood movies. Once working in the city district, Anant learns about bribery it seems that Rama Shetty is a well-known political person known to be involved in a murder. Anant finds himself caught between the police violence and bribery on the one hand, and at the same time his desire to fulfill his duties to the letter was also there. In one moment, he is carried away by his furious nature against immorality during some interrogation and beats a prisoner so badly that the man dies. In this unavoidable sequence, Anant has to either face the consequences, or ask for help from the notorious Rama Shetty. This is a difficult decision when one`s action hangs in the balance. Velankar is confused but strongly deals with the situation.

Cast and Crew:
The excellent star cast of the Indian movie `Ardh Satya` includes Om Puri, Smita Patil, Amrish Puri, Naseeruddin Shah and Sadashiv Amrapurkar. The director of the movie is Govind Nihalani whereas it was produced by Manmohan Shetty and Pradeep Uppoor. The film is written by D.A. Palwalker, and screenplay was by Vijay Tendulkar. Music is given by Ajit Verman while cinematography was done by Govind Nihalani himself.

Awards:
The Indian movie, Ardh Satya, got lots of awards in the year 1983. It has got filmfare awards including best movie, best director, best supporting actor, best screenplay, and also best story. The main hero of the film Om Puri got National film award for best actor.