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Ek Raat (1942)

W Z Ahmed

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  • Release Date1942
  • FormatB-W
  • LanguageHindi
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NEENA, the girl round whom Dame fate had woven a web which became this story, was a motherless child.

We see her step-mother Sarla as a sly, scheming tyrant who has a daughter of her own named Shobha, the "Spoilt-child" of the family. Neena's father, Seth Lachmidas is a self-made man, very headstrong and having a secret craving for social eminence.

Young Rajinder, the son of his family doctor and Neena are extremely devoted to each other and it is this friendship that stirs up the devil in Shobha, for she wants the handsome Rajinder for herself.

Childhood blossoms into youth and now we see young Rajinder as a full- fledged medical man. He joins the army as a doctor all and before he can get Seth Lachmidas's consent to marry Neena he has to leave for the front. The step-mother avails of this opportunity to marry off Neena, with a view to remove her while Dr. Rajinder is away with his regiment, expressly to clear the way for her daughter whose affections are all along pinned on Rajinder.

We meet a new character in the person of Raja Bahadur Himmat Singh, a petty Jagirdar whose only pastime in life is wine, women and cards and he finds a very accommodating ally in his manager Chaturlal. It is not very diff1cult for Sarla to convince her husband that Neeena would make a very becoming Rani, and his grand-children would thus become members of nobility.

On the other hand, the Raja Bahadur is also in dire need of a large sum of money whereby he can continue his nefarious activities. He is so much pestered by his creditors that when Chaturlal broaches the subject of matrimony on him he takes it as a God-sent opportunity.

Thus unknown to Dr. Rajinder they have, between themselves, sealed the fate of Neena.

Enter another pawn on the chess board of life; that is Kanta; in reality Raja Bahadnr's mistress, but outwardly living in the house as his house-keeper. She frets and fumes when she comes to know about the marriage. But when the cunning Chaturlal tells her that Raja Bahadur can only be saved from going to prison by marrying Neena and getting a fat dowry and assures her that he would never look upon Neena as his wife, she reluctantly gives her assent to the match.

Neena's letter to Raj in informing him of the proposed match is intercepted by Shobha. Neena's appeal and entreaties to her father fall only upon deaf ears.

In his opinion it is a very suitable match, and what is more, he has given his word to Raja Bahadur Himmat Singh. How can he go back upon it?

Rajinder comes to know of the match through the papers and rushes to stop the mischief from being done. But nothing can influence Seth Lachmidas, who remains adamant. In hectic effort to avert the disaster, he appeals to the Rajabahadur as man to man and pleads with him not to ruin an innocent life. Raj Bahadur only makes fun of him. The 'marriage is only a night ahead. What can be done? Should they run away? But can Neena face the disgrace? Can she suffer her father to die of humiliation and shame?

In vain does Rajinder wait the whole night long and Neena does not come as expected. Why? I s the lure of being called the Raja Bahadur's wife greater than the profound love she has for Rajin?  The next day Neena is married to the Raja Bahadur.

In her new home Neena finds no peace. She is constantly humiliated. Dr. Rajinder resigns his army commission and comes back home a heart-broken man.

The Hajabahadur's infatuation for Kanta dies down and her constant nagging irritates him. Kanta's fall is very tragic. All favours withdrawn, she begins to get kicks and ultimately ordered to leave the house. All of Neena's money and jewallery has gradually gone to pay for Himmat Singh's gambling debts and drinking bouts. She is repeatedly ordered to bring more money from her father, and is cursed and beaten if, she brings less. Neena's patience has also reached its limit . Something snaps within her. She is leaning against the table on which stands a decanter of sparkling wine. She has some poison in her handbag. Just at that moment Rajinder enters. He sees Neena rushing out of the Rajabahadur's house and follows her. A servant of the Rajabahadur watches him going out of the main door.

The next morning the Rajabahadur and Kanta are both found dead. The police suspect Neena. Rajin very promptly gives himself up to the police, confessing to having himself mixed poison in the wine of the deceased. In the meantime Neena is fleeing away from home.

Her train is going at full speed. The wheels are beating time to Rajinder's name "Rajin-Rajin-Rajin-Rajin". As she sways in the open door, the wheels seem to call her. They seem to be saying "Hurry up" because for her the end of the world has come.

Rajiner is .tried for murder. Chaturlal alone can happily watch the knot tightening around the accused. Only he be satisfied while they are driving one nail after another in the man's coffin, because he has his own plans......

[From the official press booklet]

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