Devar

Devar

Year: 1966

Runtime: 164 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Mohan Segal

RomanceDramaCrime

Shankar, a wealthy man, and educated cousin Suresh are close friends. Their families arrange marriages—Shankar with Madhumati, Suresh with Shanta—but father bans the couples from meeting, so each meets the other's intended. Suresh falls for Madhumati and swaps brides, leaving Shankar wed to Shanta who despises lack of education, souring the marriage.

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Timeline & Setting – Devar (1966)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Devar (1966). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

India

The story unfolds in a traditional Indian village setting where close-knit families govern marriages and social reputation. The environment reflects a society guided by honor, gossip, and formal matchups. Community judgment and family expectations shape the characters' choices and fates throughout the film.

🏞️ Village Setting 🕌 Traditional Society 🗺️ Cultural Norms

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:23

Main Characters – Devar (1966)

Meet the key characters of Devar (1966), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Shankar J. Rai (Dharmendra)

Shankar is a hunter with limited formal education, yet a loyal and good-hearted man. He becomes entangled in a deceitful plot that pits his reputation against his true feelings for Madhumati. Misunderstandings and social pressure drive him to bear a heavy burden, while he quietly guards a painful secret about his past love. He seeks solace in the bond he shares with Madhumati, even as fate tests their bond.

💬 Loyal 🪡 Quiet strength 🗝️ Secretive

Madhumati / Bhawariya (Sharmila Tagore)

Madhumati is Shankar’s childhood sweetheart, now a traditional and beautiful woman known as Madhumati. She becomes the focal point of the schemes that pull the lovers apart. Her journey is marked by a mix of tenderness, determination, and a willingness to bend to circumstance, culminating in a pivotal decision at the trial that affects Shankar’s fate. Beneath her composed exterior, she harbors a deep, unfinished past with Shankar.

💖 Dual identity 🕊️ Compassion 🕵️‍♀️ Mystery

Suresh (Deven Verma)

Suresh is Shankar’s educated cousin and a calculating schemer. He masterminds the poison-pen letters to sabotage both engagements and to secure Madhumati for himself. His manipulation drives much of the plot’s deception and tragedy, and his downfall comes through a combination of confession and consequence. His actions expose the fragility of trust within families.

🕵️ Deceiver 💡 Manipulative ⚖️ Schemer

Shanta M. Singh / Shanta S. Rai (Shashikala)

Shanta is the prospective bride chosen by Suresh’s family and is seen as a suitable match for Shankar. Her acceptance is influenced by appearances and social esteem, and she feels betrayed when she discovers Shankar’s lesser education. Her reaction highlights a clash between romantic expectations and societal norms within the marriage market.

💐 Bride 💔 Betrayal 🏛️ Social expectations

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:23

Major Themes – Devar (1966)

Explore the central themes of Devar (1966), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💖 Love & Deception

Love is tested by social schemes and hidden identities. The couple’s past fuels present misunderstandings, while deceit by a relative drives the central conflict. The narrative probes whether true affection can survive manipulation and miscommunication. Hidden feelings and concealed truths propel the emotionalarc toward a bittersweet resolution.

🧭 Social Pressure

The story centers on arranged marriages and the pressure to conform to family plans. Characters worry about reputation, status, and the appearances of propriety more than personal happiness. Rivalries and schemes underscore how communal norms constrain individual choice. The plot examines the costs of honoring tradition at the expense of personal truth.

⚖️ Justice & Truth

A courtroom confrontation reveals guilt and innocence through testimony and hidden motives. Madhumati's last-minute change of heart alters the outcome, highlighting the fragility of justice when emotions trump evidence. The film juxtaposes legal verdicts with deeper moral truths about loyalty and forgiveness. The resolution leaves a lingering sense of tragedy and unresolved love.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:23

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Devar Summary

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Devar Summary

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