Anuradha

Anuradha

Year: 1960

Runtime: 141 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Hrishikesh Mukherjee

DramaFamilyRomance

Anuradha, born to wealth, seems to have everything she wants, yet she marries the idealistic Dr. Nirmal Chowdhary, who devotes himself to serving the rural poor. As she experiences the hardships of his world, she confronts a profound choice between the comforts of her privileged life and the love and purpose she finds beside him.

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Timeline & Setting – Anuradha (1960)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Anuradha (1960). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Nandagaon, City

The story shifts between a distant, affluent urban setting and the rural village of Nandagaon where the doctor tends to the poor. Nandagaon is depicted as a hard-working, underserved village, highlighting the challenges of rural life. The city environment represents wealth and social expectations, while the village embodies service and hardship. These settings underscore the film's themes of class, duty, and personal sacrifice.

❄️ Rural village 🏙️ City life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:46

Main Characters – Anuradha (1960)

Meet the key characters of Anuradha (1960), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Anuradha Chowdhary (Leela Naidu)

A talented radio singer from a wealthy background who defies convention to marry for love. She demonstrates determination, warmth, and a willingness to sacrifice personal dreams for her family. Throughout the story she grapples with balancing her art, motherhood, and the realities of village life.

🎶 Music ❤️ Romance 🏠 Family duties

Dr. Nirmal Chowdhary (Balraj Sahni)

An idealistic doctor dedicated to serving the poor in a distant village. He embodies compassion and practicality, and he urges Anuradha to avoid hardship while remaining committed to his work. Ultimately, he concedes to Anuradha's wish to restart life in the city, showing both generosity and realism.

🏥 Medicine 💡 Idealism 🤝 Sacrifice

Deepak (Abhi Bhattacharya)

A London-returned suitor who wishes well for Anuradha and offers support and opportunity. He represents worldly options and societal expectations, acting as a catalyst for the couple's difficult choices. His presence pushes Anuradha to confront what she truly wants from life.

🌍 Social expectations 💑 Love 🕊️ Redemption

Zamindar (Asit Sen)

Anuradha's father, a wealthy landowner who desires control over his daughter's marriage to preserve family status. He embodies tradition and the pressure of social hierarchies, and his later reconciliation hints at a softer, more understanding stance, even if he does not dictate her final path.

🏰 Power 💼 Class 🎭 Tradition

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:46

Major Themes – Anuradha (1960)

Explore the central themes of Anuradha (1960), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love vs Duty

Anuradha's choice to marry for love challenges the expectations placed on a wealthy woman. The narrative explores how personal happiness can collide with family obligations and societal norms. Her decision drives the plot and reveals inner strength in the face of pressure. The tension between romance and responsibility is central to the drama.

🕊️ Sacrifice and Autonomy

Anuradha sacrifices her singing career and the life she once imagined to care for her family in a rural setting. The story frames sacrifice as both noble and costly to personal dreams. Her autonomy is tested as she weighs reclaiming her voice against remaining in service to others. The film questions whether enduring sacrifice can coexist with personal fulfillment.

🏥 Service and Class

Dr. Nirmal's mission to serve the poor in Nandagaon places class and geography at the heart of the drama. The contrast between village hardship and urban privilege highlights social inequities. The doctor’s idealism clashes with familial and societal pressures, shaping the couple’s choices. The theme explores how charity, duty, and opportunity intersect in a divided society.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:46

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