Kal Aaj Aur Kal

Kal Aaj Aur Kal

Year: 1971

Runtime: 156 mins

Language: Hindi

FamilyDrama

Widower Ram Kapoor leads a wealthy but lonely life in Bombay; his son Rajesh works abroad and his aged father Diwan Bahadur lives in a village. Rajesh returns, brings Diwan home and the trio reunites, but they clash over love, marriage, caste and Rajesh’s wish to marry Monica instead of the arranged match with Rukmani. He seeks women causing scandal.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Kal Aaj Aur Kal 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 – Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

India, London

The action centers on a traditional Indian family, with pivotal scenes in a Kapoor household marked by weddings, confrontations, and moral tests. The setting emphasizes domestic spaces where honor and duty are negotiated. London appears as a backdrop for Rajesh's education, signaling exposure to Western ideas that clash with conventional expectations.

🎭 Domestic Drama 🏙️ Indian Setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:13

Main Characters – Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971)

Meet the key characters of Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rajesh R. Kapoor (Randhir Kapoor)

Rajesh is the London-educated grandson who loves Mona but is pressed by Diwan Bahadur Kapoor to marry Rukmani. He initially clashes with the elder’s plan, but ultimately agrees to sacrifice his own happiness for the family. This decision drives the central tension of the film and pushes the plot toward its reconciliatory turn.

🎭 Family 💔 Love 🧭 Duty

Ram B. Kapoor (Raj Kapoor)

Ram is the father who bears the brunt of the generational clash and ultimately steps back to avoid choosing sides. He endures the strain of the family rift and supports a path toward reconciliation, embodying patience and resilience in a divided household.

🎭 Family 🧭 Duty 🕊️ Reconciliation

Monica 'Mona' (Babita Kapoor)

Mona is Rajesh's girlfriend whose love is central to the plot. She agrees to the plan that protects Rajesh's future and attends the wedding, ultimately becoming the person Rajesh marries in the pivotal reveal. Her loyalty and adaptability reflect the conflict between personal love and family strategy.

🎭 Love 💔 Sacrifice 🕊️ Loyalty

Diwan Bahadur Kapoor (Prithviraj Kapoor)

The family patriarch who advocates for a traditional marriage alliance to preserve lineage and status. He grows sick but remains the driving force behind the wedding plan, using his position to push the generations toward a resolution that honors family duty.

🎭 Patriarch 🧭 Tradition 🛡️ Authority

Achala (Monica's Mother) (Achala Sachdev)

Achala is Monica's mother, a member of the family circle whose presence highlights the domestic and social pressures surrounding marriage. Her role centers on upholding family dynamics and contributing to the broader tension of whether tradition or personal choice should prevail.

👩‍👧 Family 🗣️ Conversation 🧭 Values

Munshi (David Abraham Cheulkar)

Munshi acts as a clerk-like figure within the family circle, aiding in the logistics of the wedding arrangement. His involvement reflects the everyday social machinery that supports traditional arrangements in the narrative.

📜 Clerk 🗃️ Bureaucracy

Ram's Friend (Iftekhar)

Ram's friend serves as a confidant who helps Ram navigate the plan to stabilize the family rift. He represents the practical, and sometimes humorous, external perspective that feeds into the deception used to reconcile the generations.

🗣️ Helper 🧠 Wit

Sunny (Rajesh's College-Mate) (Roopesh Kumar)

Sunny is depicted as Rajesh's college-mate, a minor presence that adds texture to Rajesh's younger-generation circle. His character helps illustrate the social setting of youth and education in the era.

🎓 Friend 🥁 Minor Role

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:13

Major Themes – Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971)

Explore the central themes of Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Generational Conflict

The plot centers on a clash between the grandfather's traditional expectations and the grandson's modern desires, with Ram caught in the middle. Each generation clings to its own beliefs about marriage and duty, which leads to misunderstandings and emotional turmoil. The story uses humorous deception and dramatic reversals to navigate toward reconciliation.

💞 Love vs Duty

Rajesh's love for Mona collides with Diwan's plan to wed him to Rukmani, forcing him to choose between personal happiness and family loyalty. Mona's willingness to participate in a plan that protects Rajesh's future underscores the complexity of romance in a traditional setting. The finale reshapes romantic choices into a sacrifice that strengthens family bonds.

🕰️ Tradition vs Modernity

The film contrasts arranged marriage and generational expectations with the younger generation's autonomy and romantic ideals. London-educated Rajesh embodies modern attitudes, while the grandfather embodies continuity of tradition. The resolution reveals that both sides value family happiness, despite conflicting methods.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:13

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 Kal Aaj Aur Kal

Don't stop at just watching — explore Kal Aaj Aur Kal 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 Kal Aaj Aur Kal is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Kal Aaj Aur Kal Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Kal Aaj Aur Kal, 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.

Kal Aaj Aur Kal Summary

Kal Aaj Aur Kal Timeline

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

Kal Aaj Aur Kal Timeline

More About Kal Aaj Aur Kal

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Kal Aaj Aur Kal: 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 Kal Aaj Aur Kal

Similar Movies to Kal Aaj Aur Kal

Discover movies like Kal Aaj Aur Kal 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.