Saudagar (1973 film)

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Saudagar (1973 film)

Saudagar is a Hindi drama movie from 1973, directed by Sudhendu Roy and inspired by the Bengali story Ras by Narendranath Mitra. It stars Nutan as Mahzubeen and Amitabh Bachchan as Moti, with Padma Khanna as Phoolbanu. The cast also includes Trilok Kapoor, Murad, Leela Mishra, Dev Kishan, Jugnu, and V. Gopal. The film was produced by Tarachand Barjatya of Rajshri Productions. It released on 14 September 1973, runs 131 minutes, and is in Hindi.

Plot
Moti is a famous trader of gur (a sweet, thick date-juice syrup) in Sultanganj. He falls in love with Phoolbanu during the gur season. Phoolbanu’s father asks for a bride price (mehar), which Moti cannot pay. Majubee, a widow who works with Moti, makes gur that everyone loves. To avoid paying mehar, Moti plans to marry Majubee. Majubee accepts, unaware of his real motive. After the season, Moti earns enough to pay the mehar and marries Phoolbanu. He also borrows and spends to live a luxurious life.

Meanwhile, Majubee receives a proposal from a honest fish trader, who wants to marry her and look after his children. Majubee leaves for another village. Phoolbanu struggles with gur-making, and Moti’s sales fall. One day Phoolbanu leaves to bathe, and Moti finds the gur burnt. He beats Phoolbanu, but later his father-in-law comes to reconcile, and they resume living together.

Things get worse when Moti discovers he has no plant sap for gur. Phoolbanu leaves for her father’s home. On the way, she sees Moti going to Majubee’s house and realizes he is seeking help there. Moti finally understands his mistakes. He goes to Majubee with two cans of date-nectar and asks her to make gur to sell. Majubee is initially angry but forgives him, and she and Phoolbanu meet quietly, realizing they both care for him. The two women cry and embrace, showing forgiveness and reconciliation among them.

Music
The film’s music was composed by Ravindra Jain, who also wrote the lyrics. He created several memorable songs for Saudagar.

Reception
Saudagar did not do well at the box office, but it was chosen as India’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 46th Academy Awards, though it did not receive a nomination.