Year: 1951
Runtime: 137 mins
Language: Hindi
Director: Ram Daryani
After a plane crash leaves Dr. Motilal (Dilip Kumar) stranded in a village, a blind elder named Surdas offers him refuge and introduces him to his lively daughter Tarana (Madhubala). As Motilal recuperates, he becomes enchanted by Tarana’s innocence and playful spirit, leading to a tender, growing affection amid the village’s simple life.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Tarana 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!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Tarana (1951), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
After a plane crash, Dr. Motilal is left stranded in a small village, where he is sheltered by a blind old man named Surdas and his playful, young daughter Tarana. During their stay, Motilal grows fond of Tarana’s gentle charm and genuine warmth, and a quiet, heartfelt connection begins to form between them. He even helps Surdas regain his eyesight through a delicate operation, a deed that deepens the bond among them and sets a hopeful tone for the village.
Meanwhile, Motilal’s father has arranged a marriage for him to a wealthy city girl named Sheela without Motilal’s knowledge. In the village, a powerful local man named Totaram covets Tarana for himself and resents her closeness with Motilal. On a sightseeing outing, Totaram stirs trouble by spreading false rumors that Tarana has defiled herself by spending time with the outsider Motilal, twisting the truth to suit his own ambitions.
As the days pass, Motilal falls ill and collapses, and Tarana rushes to his side. A fierce thunderstorm drives them to seek shelter in a barn on the outskirts of the village. Totaram gathers the villagers, Surdas, and Tarana’s family to confront the pair. When Surdas discovers Motilal and Tarana inside the barn, he mistakenly believes Tarana has betrayed him and Tarana’s reputation is dragged through the mud. Motilal is beaten and driven away, and Tarana faces a looming social crisis.
Totaram amplifies the false narrative by claiming Tarana is pregnant and even bribes a nurse named Kaneshi to testify to this lie. He then pressures Surdas to marry Tarana off to him, offering to shoulder the blame himself. Surdas, misled by fear and anger, begins to doubt his daughter’s innocence. In a moment of rage, he sets Tarana’s house ablaze, trapping her inside. A guilty Totaram admits his deceit, and a devastated Surdas realizes his grave mistake and rushes to Tarana’s aid, only to perish in the attempt.
Motilal, returning to the city heartbroken, believes Tarana is dead and tries to resume his life. It is Sheela who offers him the strength to rebuild, and he grows into a highly successful doctor, yet Tarana’s memory lingers, refusing to fade. He clings to the stubborn hope that Tarana might still be alive, even as he agrees, under family pressure, to a life with Sheela.
On the day of his marriage, Motilal cannot ignore the pull of the past. He travels back to the old barn, hoping to find Tarana once more. To his immense relief, Tarana appears alive and well, though she initially fears he has moved on. Once she learns that he is not bound to another marriage, happiness returns to their faces. The lovers’ reunion marks a reaffirmation of their bond, and the story closes on a note that true love endures even against overwhelming odds.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:39
Don't stop at just watching — explore Tarana 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 Tarana is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Tarana with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like Tarana 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.
Tarana (1951) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Tarana (1951) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Tarana (1951) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Tarana – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Banjaran (1991) Complete Plot Breakdown
Kudrat (1981) Full Movie Breakdown
Sitara (1984) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Raja (1995) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Mamta (1966) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Yaraana (1995) Movie Recap & Themes
Daraar (1996) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Sharada (1957) Detailed Story Recap
Daaera (1953) Full Summary & Key Details
Anuradha (1960) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Guddu (1995) Story Summary & Characters
Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966) Movie Recap & Themes
Dil Tera Diwana (1962) Story Summary & Characters
Madhumati (1958) Plot Summary & Ending Explained