Sadhna

Sadhna

Year: 1958

Runtime: 137 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: B.R. Chopra

Drama

Mohan, a college professor living with his ailing mother, delays marriage until his probation ends. He lectures against prostitution, condemning courtesans. When his mother collapses and her condition worsens, he feels compelled to marry quickly. Neighbor Jeevan Ram finds a woman, Rajni, to pose as his wife, hoping to satisfy his mother’s wish.

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Timeline & Setting – Sadhna (1958)

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

Time period

Location

Mohan's home, the Kotha (brothel), and the bazaar

The story unfolds mainly in a middle-class Indian home, with the world around expanding to the Kotha where Champabai is engaged, and the bustling bazaar that frames much of the social dynamics. These settings highlight the tension between respectability and marginalized livelihoods. The interplay of home, street life, and commerce creates the backdrop for the characters' moral choices.

🏠 Domestic life 🏙️ Urban setting 💃 Prostitution district

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:37

Main Characters – Sadhna (1958)

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

Mohan

A morally upright literature teacher who values honesty and family. He navigates a conflict between his feelings for Champa and social propriety, ultimately choosing love and responsibility as he defends Champa’s humanity.

💚 Protagonist 👨‍🏫 Teacher ❤️ Love 🛡️ Protector

Champabai / Rajni / Champa

A prostitute who experiences a transformation after genuine affection and acceptance. She is initially pragmatic and cunning but grows to seek belonging within a loving family, exposing the humanity behind her circumstances.

💃 Protagonist 🕊️ Transformation 💖 Empathy

Jeevan

A neighbor who schemes to arrange a fake fiancée to advance his own interests, thus initiating the central plot. His opportunism catalyzes the journey of Mohan and Champabai.

🤝 Instigator 💼 Schemer 🕵️‍♂️ Plotter

Lallu Bhai

The brothel owner who exploits Champabai and later becomes a confrontational force. His threat to force Champabai to dance underscores the vulnerability of sex workers and the dangers they face.

👔 Antagonist 🗝️ Exploitation 🧨 Conflict

Mohan's Mother

A controlling but ultimately compassionate matriarch who presses for marriage for her son. She undergoes a change of heart when Champabai’s humanity is perceived as real love rather than a social betrayal.

👩‍👦 Family 🧭 Tradition 💫 Transformation

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:37

Major Themes – Sadhna (1958)

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

❤️ Love vs. Social Expectation

Romantic feelings cross class and social lines as Mohan and Champa confront the stigma attached to her past. The film presents love as a force that challenges norms about marriage, propriety, and family reputation. Champa's evolving relationship with Mohan tests whether affection can overcome judgment and societal constraints.

🎭 Duty vs. Compassion

Mohan's duty to his mother and societal expectations clashes with his empathy for Champa. The story explores how kindness can redefine a 'fallen' woman within a conservative society. The mother's eventual acceptance signals a shift from moral condemnation to familial inclusion.

🎬 Transformation and Redemption

Champabai's arc from a streetwise courtesan to a woman seeking belonging shows the power of care and household acceptance. Her journey suggests redemption through genuine connection and support. The home becomes a space where dignity is restored and social stigma is softened.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:37

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Sadhna Summary

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Sadhna Summary

Sadhna Timeline

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Sadhna Timeline

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