Wikipedia
Jogwa - The Awakening is a National Film Award-winning 2009 Marathi film directed by Rajiv Patil and produced under iDream Productions & Screenplay by Sanjay Krishnaji Patil. It stars Uupendra Limaye and Mukta Barve in the lead roles while Priya Berde, Vinay Apte, Sharvani Pillai and Kishor Kadam essay supporting roles.
The film received five awards at the national film awards for 2008. National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues, National Film Award for Best Actor for Uupendra Limaye, National Film Award for Best Music Direction for Ajay Atul, National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Hariharan for song "Jeev Rangla" and National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Shreya Ghoshal for the same song.
The base of the movie is about the DEVDASI tradition in southern Maharashtra & Karnataka . Devdasis are people who have to sacrifice their whole life in devotion & service of god.It contains strong romantic elements, that explores the life of a rural people from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra who are the devotees of Goddess Yellamma, known as "Jogtin" (female) and "Jogta" (male); are treated as slaves viewed with a mixture of semi-respect. Rajiv Patil's substitution of hysterics for nuanced drama means the pic probably has a greater chance of getting its worthy message across to locals rather than fest auds, though Subcontinental sidebars may be roused by the fascinating subject.
Jogwa actually means alms given to a person, usually known as a Jogta or a Jogtin. They are forced by the society to give up everything and serve God. A jogta has to give up the fact of being a man and suppress all his desires. A jogtin is expected to give up herself, she cannot get married, have children or have a life of her own.
This tradition was followed in the rural areas in the ancient times and like any tradition was flexible enough for those in power to misuse it. It is known to be still followed in some villages in Karnataka. Jogwa is a love story between jogta played by Uupendra Limaye and jogtin played by Mukta Barve. The story is adapted and based on three novels - Chaundak and Bhandar Bhog by Dr Rajan Gavas and Darshan by Charuta Sagar.
A heart wrenching tale that exposes the hypocrisies and exploitations of an oppressed society harrowed by archaic traditions and plagued by superstitions in the heart of rural India, Jogwa is a poignant tale of one woman’s inspiring journey to break free from the shackles of discrimination, sexual oppression and servitude and find true happiness.
On the centenary of Indian cinema in April 2013, Forbes included Uupendra Limaye's performance in the film on its list, "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".