The Crisis
Things go completely out of control one night soon after as a small-time thief, accused of stealing a small radio, is brought into custody. Anant is very drunk, angry and frustrated. He delivers a shocking and brutal beating to the thief — while continuing to drink — accusing him of "stealing the legitimate Rights of Others" {trans.: "Doosron ka haq churata hai, sala!"}.
Not surprisingly, the thief succumbs. The fallout leaves Anant suspended and facing charges of excessive force. Anant tries to invoke Desai again, but Haider Ali backs off, saying the situation has become too hot for most anyone. Haider Ali suggests, somewhat reluctantly, that perhaps the newly elected Rama Shetty can help.
After several days of deliberation, Anant decides to visit Rama Shetty in his betting den.
Rama Shetty receives Anant cordially, and invites him into his inner sanctum alone — possibly aware that this righteous cop is finally on his knees before him. He agrees to help him only if Anant, in return, joins forces with him. Anant breaks out of his 'impotent' torpor and, infuriated, in a stunning and violent move, strangles Rama Shetty there and then.
The film ends with Anant turning himself in.
| Theme poem Ardh Satya by Dilip Chitre (Hindi) | English translation |
|---|---|
| Chakravyuh mein ghusne se pehle, | Before entering the circle of deceit, |
| kaun tha main aur kaisa tha, | who I was, and what I was, |
| yeh mujhe yaad hi na rahega. | I would not remember. |
| Chakravyuh mein ghusne ke baad, | After entering the circle of deceit, |
| mere aur chakravyuh ke beech, | (there was) between me and the circle, |
| sirf ek jaanleva nikat’ta thi, | only a deathly intimacy |
| iska mujhe pata hi na chalega. | that I never realised. |
| Chakravyuh se nikalne ke baad, | After leaving the circle of deceit, |
| main mukt ho jaoon bhale hi, | even if I am set free, |
| phir bhi chakravyuh ki rachna mein | the design of the circle of deceit, |
| farq hi na padega. | will hardly be different. |
| Marun ya maarun, | Whether I kill, or die, |
| maara jaoon ya jaan se maardun. | Am killed, or kill (the other) |
| iska faisla kabhi na ho paayega. | these questions will never be decided. |
| Soya hua aadmi jab | When a sleeping man |
| neend se uthkar chalna shuru karta hai, | awakes and steps forth, |
| tab sapnon ka sansar use, | then the world of dreams |
| dobara dikh hi na paayega. | may never be seen again (by him). |
| Us roshni mein jo nirnay ki roshni hai | In that, the light of Decision, |
| sab kuchh s’maan hoga kya? | will everything be level ? |
| Ek palde mein napunsakta, | On one tray (of a balance) is Impotence, |
| ek palde mein paurush, | and on the other is Manhood, |
| aur theek taraazu ke kaante par | and exactly at the needle point, |
| ardh satya. | a half-truth. |
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