''Balika Badhu'' is a 1967 Bengali film, starring

Moushumi Chatterjee Moushumi Chatterjee is an Indian actress known for her work in Hindi and Bengali cinema. She was one of the highest-paid actresses in Hindi films during the 1970s. She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2019; she was previously a member of ...

as the

title character The title character in a narrative work is one who is named or referred to in the title of the work. In a performed work such as a play or film, the performer who plays the title character is said to have the title role of the piëce. The title o ...

. It was directed by Tarun Majumdar. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Bimal Kar. The film was remade in Hindi in 1976, which was also directed by Majumdar.

Plot

The movie is about child marriage, a custom that was prevalent amongst various Indian societies. Set during

British Raj The British Raj ( ; from Hindustani language, Hindustani , 'reign', 'rule' or 'government') was the colonial rule of the British The Crown, Crown on the Indian subcontinent, * * lasting from 1858 to 1947. * * It is also called Crown rule ...

in India, the movie tells the story of a village schoolboy Amal, who is married to a younger girl named Rajni. Left together for a few days, as a part of the ritual of childhood marriage, the two develop friendship and love. Rajni must soon return to her parents’ house, while Amal continues with his studies at home with Masterji, an elderly teacher. His life is enlivened occasionally when Rajni is permitted to visit. Though Rajni's next visit is scheduled for

Durga Puja Durga Puja (ISO 15919, ISO: , ), also known as Durgotsava or Shaaradotsava, is an annual festival originating in the Indian subcontinent which pays homage to the Hinduism, Hindu goddess Durga, and is also celebrated because of Durga's victo ...

, she fails to make it. Instead, she arrives during

Vijayadashami Vijayadashami (), more commonly known as Dassahra in Hindi, and also known as Dashāhra or Dashain in Bhojpuri, Maithili and Nepali, is a major Hindu festival celebrated every year at the end of Durga Puja and Navaratri, Navarahtri. It is ob ...

, to stay for a couple of nights, before going on a proposed, long pilgrimage with her family. However, the British Police arrest Masterji for being a "freedom fighter", harboring and training fugitives, and making explosives. How this incident affects Amal and Rajni forms the rest of the story.

Cast

as Rajani *

Partho Mukherjee Partho Mukherjee (; ) was an Indian actor who worked in Bengali cinema mainly as supporting actor. He worked in movies like Dhanyee Meye, Agnishwar, Amar Prithivi, Bagh Bondi Khela. He was particularly known for his boy-next-door looks. He wor ...

as Amal * Juin Banerjee as Chandraa; Amal's sister * Anup Kumar as a sharat, Chandraa's husband; Amal's brother-in-law *

Satya Bandyopadhyay Satya Bandyopadhyay (1925 – 28 July 1997) was an Indian actor, known for his work in Bengali cinema and theatre. He acted in over 300 movies, in numerous plays and performed frequently on the radio. Early life He was born at Kolkata in ...

as Shashadhar Sinha; Amal's father *

Anubha Gupta Anubha Gupta (27 December 1929 – 14 January 1972) was an Indian Bengalis, Bengali actress and singer who is known for her work in Cinema of West Bengal, Bengali cinema. She received the Best Actress in Supporting Role Award at the 26th Annual ...

* Santosh Bandyopadhyay as Amal's home tutor *

Prasad Mukherjee 200px, ''Naivedya'' offered to Sri Maya Chandrodaya Mandir in Mayapur, India">Mayapur.html" ;"title="Sri Maya Chandrodaya Mandir, Mayapur">Sri Maya Chandrodaya Mandir in Mayapur">Sri Maya Chandrodaya Mandir, Mayapur">Sri Maya Chandrodaya Mandi ...

Ruma Guha Thakurta Ruma Guha Thakurta (21 November 1934 – 3 June 2019) was an Indian actress and singer primarily associated with Bengali language films. She founded Calcutta Youth Choir in 1958. Early life Ruma Guha Thakurta was born as Ruma Ghosh on 3 No ...

Bankim Ghosh Bankim Ghosh (22 October 1922 — 3 June 1992) was a veteran actor of Bengali film and theatre personality. Early life Ghosh was born in 1922 in Kolkata, British India. He passed Matriculate examination from Oriental Seminary and B.Com. from ...

Rabi Ghosh Robi Ghosh (; 24 November 1931 – 4 February 1997) was an Indian actor known for his work in Cinema of West Bengal, Bengali cinema. He is known for his comic appeal, though his versatile acting talent brought him success in various kinds ...

as a special appearance in the song "Suk Bole Keno Shari" *

Sandhya Roy Sandhya Roy is an Indian actress and politician. One of the most successful actresses of Bengali cinema, she reigned as a leading actress for approximately 30 years. She has received numerous awards including four BFJA Awards and a Filmfare A ...

as a special appearance in the song "Suk Bole Keno Shari" *

Soumitra Chatterjee Soumitra Chatterjee (also spelt as Chattopadhyay; ; 19 January 193515 November 2020) was an Indian film actor, play-director, playwright, writer, thespian and poet. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors in the histor ...

as voice of adult Amal

Track listing

Awards

Filmfare Awards East Filmfare Awards East were the annual awards segment of the annual Filmfare Awards, presented by The Times Group to honour the artistic and cinematic excellence in Bengali, Assamese and Odia. The first installment of the awards were held for ...

in 1967.

References

External links

* 1967 films Bengali-language Indian films Films directed by Tarun Majumdar Films scored by Hemant Kumar Child marriage in India Bengali films remade in other languages 1960s Bengali-language films Films based on works by Bimal Kar {{1960s-Bengali-film-stub