Sadma

Nehalata crashes her car while returning from a party and is rushed to the hospital with severe head injuries. She is diagnosed with retrograde amnesia and, astonishingly, regresses to the mind of a 6-year-old. As a result, she cannot recognize her elderly parents who come to check on her.

During treatment, Nehalata cannot recognize her elderly parents and they struggle to understand her condition. Their visits aim to coax recognition, but the memory loss makes every reunion temporary and fragile. Doctors explain the challenge of restoring her identity.

While still under care, Nehalata is kidnapped and renamed Reshmi by the brothel madam. She is sent to a room where Somu and his old friend visit for relaxation, and he realizes she is mentally a child. He learns of her origin only after questioning her, as her condition prevents her from sharing details.

Somu visits the brothel with an old friend and discovers Reshmi is a child in a vulnerable state. He pities her and tries to coax information about her family, but her amnesia blocks any useful disclosures. The encounter plants the seed for Somu to help her, despite the danger involved.

Somu rescues her under the pretense of taking her on a pleasure trip. He takes her to his home in Ooty, where his elderly neighbor helps care for her. Reshmi, renamed in this setting, becomes bonded with Somu in a protective, guardian-like role.

In Ooty, Somu's relationship with the childlike Nehalata grows into a protective caregiver dynamic. Reshmi becomes trusting of her new guardian and relies on him for safety and affection. Their bond remains gentle but clearly paternal, given her ongoing mental immaturity.

Reshmi accidentally spills ink on Somu's documents, triggering a brief burst of anger. They work through the tension quickly, reaffirming their trust. The moment tests their unusual relationship, but the bond endures.

A woodcutter named Balua lusts for Reshmi and nearly assaults her, but she defends herself. When Somu learns of the danger, he becomes furious and almost kills Balua to protect her. This moment underscores the depth of his protective feelings.

Meanwhile, Soni, the lonely younger wife of the headmaster, repeatedly tries to seduce Somu but he resists. The subplot contrasts Somu's responsibility toward Reshmi with his loyalty to his own moral boundaries. The tension remains unresolved for now.

Reshmi's father posts a newspaper advertisement seeking his missing daughter. A co-passenger on the train later provides a lead, connecting Somu to Reshmi and drawing police attention toward him. The search intensifies as authorities close in.

Somu takes Reshmi to a medicine man for a day's treatment, hoping to aid her memory. Police arrive at Somu's house seeking Reshmi and later trace her to the medicine man's place. Fearing arrest, Somu does not follow the officers and stays hidden.

The treatment restores Nehalata's memory, and she recognises her parents. She forgets the period after the accident, leaving Somu behind in the present. The family rejoices and begins plans to return home together.

After the police depart, Somu chases the car taking Nehalata away at the railway station. He is muddy and limps as he runs to catch her attention. He tries to reach her by mimicking a dancing monkey she once liked, but she does not recognize him.

The train departs with Nehalata not remembering Somu, leaving him alone at the station. He remains heartbroken, standing in the mud as the moment ends. The scene underscores the cost of their bond when memory cannot bridge the gap.