[1] Both the novel and the movie derive their title from an ancient myth associated with the churning of the ocean, in which Vishnu had been less than fair in his dispensation to the Asuras, supposedly the progenitors of latter-day Dalits.

The movie portrays the plight and problems of Dalit farmers in Punjab and their conflict with the upper caste landlords.

The landlord has sold his plots to an industry that has demolished the house of one of the villagers who refuses to vacate it.

The elderly farmer's son is a rickshaw puller in the nearby town.

It won the Special Jury Award and the $50,000 Black Pearl trophy at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival.