indian cinema heritage foundation

Maa Bahen Aur Biwee (1973)

  • Release Date1973
  • GenreDrama
  • FormatColour
  • LanguageHindi
  • Run Time134 mins
  • Length3665.14 meters
  • Gauge35 mm
  • Censor RatingU
  • Censor Certificate NumberU-73597-MUM
  • Certificate Date09/10/1973
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Ever since the days of Eve women have played vital roles, all of which is a part of history to-day. Man has known women only as a dormant creation, a delicate subordinate companion for his masculine cravings. "Maa Bahen Aur Biwee" unfolds emotional drama in which the many facets of womanhood rise to the occasion of each time when challenged, proving that the contribution of women is no less important in the synthesis of a new society.

Mala and Birju are a young couple full of joy and immediately in love. Abdul and Rehana have close family ties with Birju and Mala. Afaq their only child suffers from want of attention from Abdul.

Although Mala and Birju seem so compatible by the deep bonds of mutual love and respects, there is an under current threat arising out of their diverse values in life.

Birju being the gay cavalier type wants his wife to be abreast with the latest fashion in dress, hair style and cosmetics. His masculine ego seeks a feminine charmer, a delicate darling to balance his robustness.

Mala's values are different. To her beauty is internal and external beauty is only transient.

Abdul helps Birju to become the bodyguard to a young lady married to a wealthy old man. But she finds in Birju the man of her dreams.

The scheming village marwari has an evil eye on Mala and he engages a photographer who brings out fake photographs of Mala in a close embrace with herself by employing a professional trick.

At midnight the wealthy young lady is found in Birju's room by her husband. Birju fled post haste as the husband brandished a gun.

In Birju's next adventure he saves a club owner from sure death after putting up a valiant fight with a group of gangsters. Birju and Abdul are then employed by the grateful club owner.

The evil designs of the wealthy village marwari wreck Birju's life and thinking, he begins to hate Mala and thus womanhood.

Abdul is evasive and irresponsible to the constant pleadings of his wife Rehana even when the child's health is falling and she has no resources to get him adequate medical attention.

Now engaged in a war with womanhood, Birju ruthlessly removes Rita the cabaret dancer from the club. His new flame is Lily and her very first dance captivates Birju's heart. He wants to marry her.

Does Birju only want to cheat Lily or are his intentions honourable? However, Lily is kidnapped by the gangsters.

Bereft of any sympathy for woman it is strange to see Birju run the risk of his life to save Lily from the clutches of a group of gangsters. It is difficult to reconcile - Abdul loves Rehana but neglects lovely little Afaq.

Why did Birju run the risk of his life for Lily?
What happened to Mala?

[From the official press booklet]

Cast

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