Indrani

Indrani

Year: 1958

Runtime: 122 mins

Language: Bengali, Bangla

Director: Nirendranath Lahiri

RomanceDrama

Indrani Mukherjee, the only daughter of a conservative Brahmin village family, studies in Kolkata and lives in a girls’ hostel. She falls in love with PhD student Sudarshan Dutta, but her father objects because he is non‑Brahmin and unemployed. Defying him, Indrani marries Sudarshan, only to face hostility from his mother and sisters‑in‑law. She takes a teaching job in Dinajpur, and after mounting tensions Sudarshan leaves to seek work elsewhere.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Indrani yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Indrani (1958)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Indrani (1958). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Mid-20th century Bengal

Set in a period when education and professional dreams collide with rigid social norms, the story uses two locales to show contrasts between modern ambition and traditional obligations. Women's agency, job opportunities, and caste expectations shape the characters' decisions. The era's social fabric provides the backdrop for personal trials and growth.

Location

Kolkata, Dinajpur

The film alternates between Kolkata, where Indrani studies at a girls' hostel, and the rural setting of Dinajpur in Bengal. It captures the tension between urban education and rural tradition. The Dinajpur sequences follow Sudarshan's later work on an irrigation project, illustrating a community on the cusp of change.

🎭 Drama 🌆 City life 🌾 Village life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:15

Main Characters – Indrani (1958)

Meet the key characters of Indrani (1958), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Indrani (Suchitra Sen)

An intelligent, determined daughter of a staunch Brahmin family who studies in Kolkata and falls in love with Sudarshan. Her confidence masks insecurity about family expectations and social barriers. Her choice to marry and later relocate to Dinajpur shows her willingness to challenge norms to stay with her partner.

🎭 Drama 💞 Romance

Sudarshan Dutta (Uttam Kumar)

A brilliant student pursuing a PhD who remains unemployed, causing tension at home. His pride and misread signals strain the marriage, but his capacity for vision emerges when he partners with a retired teacher to help a village.

🎭 Drama 🧭 Ambition

Mastermoshai (Chhabi Biswas)

A retired teacher with a dream of social change who mentors Sudarshan and helps drive a canal irrigation project in a rural village.

🌱 Social reform 🎭 Mentor

Rajivlochon (Indrani's Father) (Pahadi Sanyal)

A traditional patriarch who prizes Brahmin lineage and sees Sudarshan's lack of employment as a threat to Indrani's future.

🎭 Drama 🧭 Tradition

Indrani's Mother (Aparna Devi)

A loving family figure who navigates the tensions at home and supports decisions that affect the household's future.

💞 Family 🎭 Drama

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:15

Major Themes – Indrani (1958)

Explore the central themes of Indrani (1958), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💞 Love vs. Convention

Indrani's decision to marry Sudarshan defies her father's caste-based restrictions and sparks conflict rooted in tradition. The couple's early happiness is tested by misunderstandings, pride, and external pressures from family and society. The narrative shows how love can challenge long-held norms, and how sacrifice or compromise may be required to sustain a union under scrutiny. The journey from ardor to mutual understanding forms the emotional core of the film.

🧭 Communication and Trust

Miscommunication between Indrani and Sudarshan creates distance and fuels emotional turmoil. As pride and fear take hold, both hesitate to voice their needs, prolonging their estrangement. Reconciliation arrives when confronted with shared hardship and a renewed commitment to each other’s dreams. The theme highlights how open conversation can heal wounds and align personal ambitions.

🌱 Change through Service

Sudarshan's work with the retired teacher to improve a village's irrigation canal embodies a vision of practical social reform. The project demonstrates how knowledge, collaboration, and community effort can transform lives beyond personal relationships. Indrani's choice to join him signals belief in his talents and the power of shared purpose. The film frames service as a path to dignity and lasting significance.

🔥 Trials and Reconciliation

An accident of fire acts as a catalyst, forcing the couple to confront their love and commitment. The blaze exposes fragility and resilience, prompting forgiveness and a deeper connection. It is the emotional turning point that cements their renewed partnership.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:15

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Indrani

Don't stop at just watching — explore Indrani in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Indrani is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Indrani Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Indrani, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Indrani Summary

Indrani Timeline

Track the full timeline of Indrani with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Indrani Timeline

More About Indrani

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Indrani: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Indrani

Similar Movies to Indrani

Discover movies like Indrani that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.