Behind the Beautiful Forevers

In September 2008 Asha is firmly in control of Annawadi. When the Corporator visits, she is given a seat at his side. Reveling in her newfound power, Asha stops making excuses to her family about her nighttime visits to men; she has earned the right to behave as she pleases.

Although Fatima died nearly two months before, her death is still discussed in Annawadi. Other women, perhaps inspired by Fatima, pour kerosene on themselves and threaten to light a match. Manju and her friend Meena, who is forbidden by her family from venturing outside the house except for visits to the toilet, discuss different methods of suicide during their nightly bathroom talks. Manju is depressed about her mother’s visits to men and overwhelmed with studying for her exams. Vijay, the college student she is interested in, tells her that she can be his bride in another lifetime—not this one.

Asha has arranged for a band and deejay for Navratri, a festival of nine nights of dance. It will be Meena’s last Navratri before her upcoming arranged marriage and relocation to a Tamil Nadu village. Like Manju, Meena is not excited about the idea of marriage or living in a small village with strict rules for women and separate castes.