indian cinema heritage foundation

Ladki (1953)

  • Release Date1953
  • GenreComedy
  • FormatB-W
  • LanguageHindi
  • Run Time160 min
  • Length15871 meters
  • Number of Reels17
  • Gauge35 mm
  • Censor RatingU
  • Censor Certificate Number8132-U
  • Certificate Date26/10/1953
  • Shooting LocationAVM Studios
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Pride and prejudice die hard. Motilal Babu of Bangalore has to learn it again when he becomes baffled in his opposition against the tyranny of the orthodox society and loses all hopes of giving his only daughter Kamini in marriage. Kamini, the product of intercaste marriage of her parents is ever so simple, sweet and innocent. Her dying mother's last desire was to give her in marriage to Sundar a distant relation of Motilal, living far away in Burma.

Kamini's loving and lovely friend is Rani. By nature and disposition Rani is just unlike her. She is modern in thought, outlook and beliefs and can neither stand nor accept the superiority of menfolk in anything. Full of high spirits, she is most admired in her college because of her versatile talents in games, dances and histrionics. Cupid starts playing tricks in their lives and arranges a chance meeting between Rani and Kamini and two friends Raja and Kishore, both students of the local Medical College. Impulsive Raja is blinded by love at first sight towards Kamini, and resolves not to marry any other girl than Kamini inspite of the fact that she was born of a low caste mother. Kishore also feels the same fondness growing in him for Rani. Raja's father Husur Das is a typical conservative and regards women as the root of all troubles on earth. He is quite happy with his pride and prejudice, happy in his village home faraway from Bangalore.

Through the efforts of Kishore, Raja and Kamini are secretly married just when Sundar returns from Burma and is shocked to know of Kamini's marriage. He leaves the place; Motilal goes in search of Sundar and loses his life in the sea. The news of Raja's marriage reaches Husur Das and enrages him. He manages to get back his son at the village home, and asks Raja to leave Kamini and again marry a girl of his own caste. Raja refuses and resents hoping at the same time that Kamini in person may be able to bring a change in the hearts of his parents.

He comes down to Banagalore at night to take Kamini home, and is shocked to find her in a gay and jovial mood with a stranger, who, he learns, is none other than Sundar Misunderstanding crops up and Raja turns back to his village home leaving Kamini behind. He agrees to remarry and his haughty father is all the more pleased and shows Raja the photo of the girl who is none other than Rani. Raja is amused for a moment but gives his final approval and consent to marriage with Rani. 

Kamini is mortally wounded by Raja's letter and attitude. Meanwhile, Rani comes to tell Kamini about her marriage and drags her to see the man who is to become her husband. The aggrieved Kamini is shocked, decides to sacrifice her own happiness and herself so that Raja may be happy. Her attempt at suicide is accidentally foiled by the timely appearance of Kishore.

Marriage preparations are in full swing. Kishore tries his best to stop Raja and bring about a reconciliation but is insulted by his friend. Kishore hurries to Rani and intimates her the full story. Rani decides and it is a hasty, quick decision.

In the marriage pandal, all are present and everything is ready. But what is Rani's decision? Is Kamini to be reconciled to her fate? And Kishore's last minute attempt is it to meet with no success? Will the age-old prejudice still triumph over sorrows and sentiments? The emotion-packed climax furnishes thrilling answers to these questions in this never-to-be-forgotten gripping motion-picture drama.

[From the official press booklet]

Cast

Crew

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