A Relook at the Film, 'Aurat'

A 1967 film telling the story of a humble Indian woman.

Directed and produced by S.S. Balan and S.S Vasan, Aurat is a Hindi remake of the Tamil film Chitthi.

The film, through its protagonist Parvati, has painted a self-sacrificing woman, who made it possible for those around her to arrive at their better and realized self.

While the projection of a house-holder woman, as this film does, may have limited appeal in the contemporary scenario, nevertheless films are reflective of the circumstances, aspirations and larger public morality of its time. In such a case films become an interesting window into thought processes of people of different times and decades.

AuratUltra Media & Entertainment

Parvati (played by Padmini) is the eldest of the eight siblings and sole breadwinner for the family. 

AuratUltra Media & Entertainment

By doing menial household jobs she not only struggles to feed her family, but she is also striving to manage resources for her brother to study medicine.

She sees her brother’s possibility to be a doctor as a gateway out of their poverty. Poverty which entails responsibility of six younger sisters including a mute sister.

AuratUltra Media & Entertainment

Parvati is in love with Anand (played by Feroz Khan). Anand is hoping to earn a large sum of money by winning an ongoing trial of a certain monetary dispute. Anand assures Parvati about supporting and sustaining Parvati’s family on winning the disputed money.

AuratUltra Media & Entertainment

In parallel, Manoharlal (played by Pran), an old man, with six children from his late wife, is seeking to marry again.

AuratUltra Media & Entertainment

On a given day, Parvati faces the challenge of not being able to arrange money for her brother’s college fees. She feels dismayed and dejected because of this situation.

AuratUltra Media & Entertainment

Struck with Parvati’s beauty, Manoharlal sends a marriage proposal to Parvati’s home.

AuratUltra Media & Entertainment

Faced with the difficult situation of paying her brother’ fees, Parvati accepts the marriage proposal on the condition that Manoharlal would bear the expenses of her brother's study and also provide for Parvati’ family sustenance.

AuratUltra Media & Entertainment

Manoharlal’s mother, sister and his brother (who is a taxi driver) are shocked and unhappy about Manoharlal’s second marriage. They suspect that the bride would be a mean, selfish woman who would be unfair and rude to everyone, particularly to the children.

AuratUltra Media & Entertainment

But to their delight, they find Parvati to be a diligent, humble and a caring woman.

AuratUltra Media & Entertainment

Despite Parvati's sincere service to Manoharlal’ family, Manoharlal is upset with Parvati for not making intimate association with him.

AuratUltra Media & Entertainment

He wants Parvati to not remain a mere house-holder, instead he wants her to join him in fancy, slick, upscale parties.

AuratUltra Media & Entertainment

One day, Manoharlal catches Parvati’s brother Suresh (played by Rajesh Khanna) with his sister Asha having a warm loving interaction. Scandalized to see them together, Manoharlal decides to stop supporting Suresh education and Parvati’s family.

AuratUltra Media & Entertainment

With the help of Manoharlal’s sensitive brother, Suresh manages to complete his education to become a doctor and thereby becomes eligible to marry Manoharlal’s sister Asha.

AuratUltra Media & Entertainment

At the end, Manoharlal feels repentant and ashamed for his doing and happily allows Suresh to be with his sister, Asha.

Credits: Story

Story and curation: Abhishek Kukreja

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Explore more
Related theme
Hindi Cinema
Your ticket into the magical world of Indian cinema
View theme
Google apps