Anpadh

Shambu is a wealthy man who believes that accumulating wealth is more important than education. Because of this mindset, Lajjo remains illiterate and unable to perform basic household chores. As a result, she grows up naive and dependent on others.

Shambu arranges Lajjo's marriage to Deepak, a young man from a rich family. Lajjo is devastated to learn that Deepak is highly educated and values knowledge over tradition. When she confesses her illiteracy to the family, they react with disappointment, and her married life becomes difficult as she is mistreated by Deepak, his parents, and Kishore.

Deepak catches Lajjo asking a servant to write a letter to Shambu and discovers her lie about her in-laws' kindness. He is deeply moved by her innocence and apologizes for what happened. He promises to teach her to read and write so she can stand on her own.

The couple is overjoyed when Lajjo becomes pregnant. During a heated dispute between Shambu and Deepak's father, Thakur Mahendranath, Lajjo defends Shambu, condemning his harsh stance. Enraged, Shambu storms away.

Deepak resolves to bring Shambu back, but on the way, his car crashes into a tree. He is rushed to hospital and dies shortly after. The loss devastates Lajjo and Deepak's family.

After Deepak's death, Mahendranath and his wife blame Lajjo for the tragedy and expel her from their house. She returns to her own home, only to find it locked and abandoned. Later, she learns that Shambu has fled the area after allegedly murdering a zamindar.

Destitute and wandering, Lajjo meets Basanti, who welcomes her into Basanti's home. Basanti helps her through childbirth, and Lajjo gives birth to a daughter named Kiran. Lajjo then learns sewing, cooking, and other skills, eventually securing a job and beginning to provide for her daughter's education.

Years pass and Lajjo grows older while Kiran becomes studious and ambitious. At Kiran's graduation, Mahendranath attends as a guest and is impressed by her capabilities. He offers Kiran a job, unaware that she is his granddaughter.

Kishore, now grown and reckless, kidnaps Kiran. Lajjo chases the car in which she has been abducted, and an aged and poor Shambu finds Lajjo and recognizes her.

With Shambu's help, Lajjo rescues Kiran and Kishore is shot using Shambu's pistol. Shambu takes the blame for the murder. In court, Lajjo recognizes Shambu, and she confesses the crime; Shambu is sentenced to five years in prison.

The siblings share an emotional goodbye as Mahendranath apologizes for mistreating Lajjo and Shambu apologizes for not educating her. Shambu promises to return someday. He also advises Lajjo to sell the old mine and start a school for girls.

Years later, Lajjo fulfills her brother's advice by starting a school for girls. Kiran, now happily married to her lover, helps run the school alongside her mother. The film ends with Lajjo dedicating herself to girls' education.