Kati Patang

Kati Patang

Year: 1971

Runtime: 160 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Shakti Samanta

Drama

A runaway bride promises her dying widowed friend that she will assume her identity and look after her infant child.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Kati Patang (1971)

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

Time period

Late 1960s to early 1970s

The narrative sits in a period when traditional arranged marriages and family honor dominate society. The era’s social mores frame Madhu’s sacrifices, Kamal’s struggles with alcohol, and Kailash’s opportunistic schemes. Visuals and tone reflect a transitional India where women’s agency is limited but beginning to assert itself.

Location

India, Dinanath's house, Government hospital, Poonam's in-laws' house, Train routes

The action unfolds across Indian locales—from a troubled town and the Dinanath family home to a government hospital after a derailment. Key backdrops include a railway journey, rural homes, and the in-laws’ residence where guarded secrets and inheritance issues play out. These settings shape the characters’ choices, exposing social pressures around marriage, identity, and duty.

🇮🇳 Indian setting 🏠 Family home 🚂 Train journeys 🌧️ Rain-soaked journey

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:12

Main Characters – Kati Patang (1971)

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

Madhavi 'Madhu' (Asha Parekh)

An orphan who endures stigma after her arranged marriage collapses; she reacts with determination, ultimately assuming Poonam's identity to safeguard Munna. Her resilience and self-sacrifice drive the plot as she navigates deception, loss, and love.

🌸 Female lead 💪 Resilient 🧭 Identity 🧩 Family duty

Kamal Sinha

A forest ranger who has become an alcoholic after the failed engagement. He rescues Madhu, offers shelter, and his feelings for Madhu gradually surface as truth about Poonam comes to light.

🛡️ Protector ❤️ Love interest 👤 Complex 💔 Tragic past

Kailash

A money-minded antagonist who manipulates Madhu’s situation to gain Dinanath’s wealth and expose her true identity. His scheming drives much of the film’s conflict.

🕶️ Villain 🪙 Greed 🧪 Deception

Poonam

Madhu’s dying childhood friend who asks Madhu to impersonate her to protect Munna. Her tragedy and final plea set the premise for Madhu’s sacrifice.

🤝 Sacrifice 👶 Motherhood 🪪 Identity

Dinanath

Mr. Dinanath, Madhu’s father-in-law by marriage, who ultimately accepts Madhu and acts as guardian of Munna's inheritance, before being poisoned by Kailash.

🏛️ Patriarch 🛡️ Protector 🧩 Family conflict

Shabnam 'Shaboo'

A cunning impostor who claims to be Poonam, causing chaos in the Dinanath household before being exposed and arrested.

🎭 Deception 🗝️ Impostor

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:12

Major Themes – Kati Patang (1971)

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

🎭 Identity

Madhavi assumes Poonam’s identity to protect Munna, triggering a chain of moral choices and personal risk. The film probes the costs of deception, while exploring the resilience required to bear others’ burdens.

💔 Love & Betrayal

Kamal’s affection for Madhu is tested by Kailash’s plots, and trust fractures as secrets surface. The romance becomes a vehicle for both heartbreak and eventual reconciliation.

🏠 Family & Duty

Dinanath’s acceptance and the guardianship of Munna highlight how family ties and property shape decisions. Duty to kin often collides with personal happiness.

🌧️ Resilience

Madhu endures humiliation, danger, and upheaval to protect Munna and reclaim her life. Her persistence leads to a hopeful reunion with Kamal, underscoring inner strength.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:12

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Unlock the Full Story of Kati Patang

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Kati Patang Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Kati Patang, 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.

Kati Patang Summary

Kati Patang Timeline

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Kati Patang Timeline

More About Kati Patang

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More About Kati Patang

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