Katha

Katha

Year: 1982

Runtime: 141 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Sai Paranjape

DramaComedy

A modern retelling of the classic hare‑and‑tortoise fable, set in contemporary life. Diligent but shy Rajaram harbors a secret crush on his neighbour, yet his timid nature holds him back. Just as he musters the courage to confess, the charismatic, fast‑talking Bashu bursts onto the scene, turning the romance into a lively rivalry.

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Timeline & Setting – Katha (1982)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Katha (1982). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Bombay (Mumbai), chawl

The film is set in a dense Bombay chawl, a lower-middle-class housing cluster where families occupy small rooms with shared toilets. This urban microcosm is noisy, intimate, and tightly-knit, with neighbors watching each other’s lives closely. The setting shapes daily interactions, power dynamics, and the social pressures that drive the characters' decisions.

🏙️ Urban 🧱 Dense housing 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Community living

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:24

Main Characters – Katha (1982)

Meet the key characters of Katha (1982), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rajaram Purshotam Joshi (Naseeruddin Shah)

A kind-hearted, hardworking middle-class clerk living in a Bombay chawl. Timid by nature, he harbors a long-suppressed love for Sandhya. Though often taken advantage of by others, his integrity and quiet perseverance drive the narrative toward a humane resolution.

❤️ Gentle 🧭 Honest 🧑‍💼 Clerk 🏢 Chawl resident

Bashudev (Bashu) (Farooq Shaikh)

A charming, roguish figure who uses stories of success and good looks to win others over. He moves through the chawl with a casual bravado, exploiting social bonds for personal gain. His deceit tests loyalties and reveals the fragility of trust in a tight-knit community.

🎭 Charmer 😈 Deceptive 🗣️ Entertainer

Sandhya Sabnis (Deepti Naval)

A neighbor who captivates Bashu's attention and becomes Sandhya's love interest. She is hopeful but torn between genuine affection and societal expectations. Her vulnerability makes her susceptible to manipulation, yet she yearns for a meaningful connection beyond appearances.

❤️ Hopeful 💃 Romantic 🧭 Conflicted

Anuradha Dhindhoria (Mallika Sarabhai)

The wife of Mr. Dhindhoria, drawn into Bashu's orbit and experiencing temptation within a bustling urban milieu. She represents a modern, social woman navigating desire and loyalty.

🌟 Ambitious 💃 Charismatic 💔 Tempted

Jojo (Winnie Paranjape)

The daughter of Anuradha, a child in the bustling cage of chawl life. Her presence highlights the personal stakes of adult choices and the impact deceit has on the younger generation.

👶 Child 🧒 Curious 🧭 Center of attention

Herself (Sarika)

One of the real-life stars appearing in the film, providing a meta-textual layer as she appears as herself within the story.

🎬 Cameo 🌟 Notable presence

Himself (Tinnu Anand)

A guest appearance contributing a distinctive personality to the film's dynamic.

🎤 Cameo 🧭 Charismatic

Himself (Jalal Agha)

Another guest figure adding to the tapestry of urban life and contrast within the narrative.

🎬 Cameo 🧑‍🎤 Charming

Dadi Amma (Leela Mishra)

An elder in the chawl who offers wisdom and a grounding presence amid the neighborhood’s bustle.

👵 Elder 🗣️ Wise 🏠 Family anchor

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:24

Major Themes – Katha (1982)

Explore the central themes of Katha (1982), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love and Integrity

Rajaram's quiet, earnest love for Sandhya and his steadfast integrity stand in contrast to Bashudev's charm and deception. The tale uses the hare-and-tortoise metaphor to explore patience and sincerity in the face of social pressure. Ultimately, genuine affection and selflessness guide the story toward a heartfelt resolution.

🎭 Deceit and Mask

Bashudev crafts a flawless facade, spinning lies about his past and wealth to win Sandhya and Anuradha. His charisma masks self-serving motives, illustrating how appearances can mislead in a crowded urban setting. The storyline exposes the consequences of deceit as truth surfaces and loyalties are tested.

🏢 Community and Class

The chawl acts as a social arena where relationships unfold under public scrutiny and economic realities influence choices. Family expectations and neighborly pressure push characters toward decisions that reflect class dynamics. The film uses this micro-society to critique how reputation and proximity shape personal lives.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:24

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Katha Summary

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Katha Summary

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Katha Timeline

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