The Tale of the Life) is a 1980 Gujarati film directed by Ketan Mehta, starring Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Smita Patil, Mohan Gokhale, Benjamin Gilani.

On the advice of his prime minister (Benjamin Gilani), he decides to declare a war against the neighbouring state, as a distraction.

One of the bhangis, Malo Bhagat (Om Puri), finds the box and decides to raise 'Jeevo' with his wife, Dhuli (Dina Pathak), as his own.

Jeevo (Mohan Gokhale) grows up and falls in love with gypsy girl, Ujam (Smita Patil).

In the alternate ending, Ranglo doesn't arrive to tell the truth and sacrifice proceeds as planned, but there is still no water in the stepwell.

Unable to bear the shock of their son's death, Jeevo's mother dies and Malo curses the king and commits suicide in the stepwell.

Most of the actors, including Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Smita Patil agreed to work without any compensation Naseeruddin Shah initially declined the role, because of his previous experience of working with Ketan Mehta, when the latter directed Eugène Ionesco's play The Lesson for him.

Ketan Mehta persisted and Naseeruddin finally agreed to do it because of his liking for the film, though he was hesitant about playing the role of a "Bumbling Raja".

It is also dedicated to the inventor of the Bhavai, Asaita Thakar, who was a Brahmin outcast and lived among the lower caste communities.

The final sequence of the stepwell and sacrifice was filmed at the World Heritage Site, Rani ki vav in Patan, Gujarat.

It was considered path-breaking for dark humour and satire because most of films of the time were based on mythology and religious stories.

[7][8] The New York Times described it as "Enhanced by interesting costumes and incisive dialogue, the fable combines comedy and social commentary as it moves through its classic tale.

"[9] Variety called it "A delightful didactic fable with sharp Brechtian influences that works on practically all levels."