Saudagar (1973)
A 1973 Hindi drama about greed, betrayal, and the quiet cost of exploiting those who trust you most.
Saudagar - Movie Information
Saudagar - Plot
Moti is a merchant who sells jaggery in the market, with the help of an older woman, Mahjubhi, who makes exemplary jaggery. He is in love with a village girl, but cannot afford to pay the dowry/marriage expenses to her father. So he decides to marry Mahjubhi, while secretly harbouring the dream of saving enough money for dowry and marrying the village girl. After marrying Majubhi, Moti extracts a lot of work from her to this end. He eventually does collect the amount and divorces her, accusing her of infidelity. Shortly after that he marries the village girl, and goes back to his business of selling jaggery, but faces the consequence of losing Mahjubhi's jaggery.
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Saudagar - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sudhendu Roy
Main Cast
- Amitabh Bachchan
- Padma Khanna
- Leela Mishra
- Nutan
- C.S. Dubey
- V. Gopal
- Ravindra Jain
- Trilok Kapoor
- Murad
- Dev Kishan
Writers
- Sudhendu Roy
Producers
- Tarachand Barjatya
Saudagar - FAQs
What is Saudagar (1973) about?
Saudagar follows Moti, a jaggery merchant who cynically marries an older woman named Mahjubhi to exploit her skills and save money for a dowry. After achieving his goal, he divorces her on false charges of infidelity and marries the girl he truly loves — only to face the bitter cost of his betrayal.
Does Moti face consequences for betraying Mahjubhi?
Yes, and that's the heart of the film. After Moti divorces Mahjubhi and marries his true love, he returns to selling jaggery — only to discover that without Mahjubhi's exceptional craft, his livelihood crumbles. The story delivers a quietly devastating moral about greed and the human cost of exploitation.
Where can you watch Saudagar (1973)?
You can watch Saudagar on Amazon Video or Apple TV Store, both of which offer it for rent or purchase. It's a great way to revisit this classic piece of Indian cinema from the comfort of home.
What makes Nutan's performance in Saudagar memorable?
Nutan plays Mahjubhi, the older woman at the center of the story's moral tragedy. Her portrayal of quiet dignity, devotion, and eventual heartbreak is widely regarded as one of her finest performances — a nuanced, deeply human turn that anchors the entire film emotionally.
Who are the main actors in Saudagar?
The film stars Amitabh Bachchan as the calculating merchant Moti and Nutan as Mahjubhi, the woman he exploits and discards. Padma Khanna plays Phoolbanu, the village girl Moti truly loves, while Leela Mishra and Trilok Kapoor round out the supporting cast.
Is Saudagar based on a true story or literary work?
Saudagar is adapted from a Bengali short story by celebrated author Narendranath Mitra. Director Sudhendu Roy, who also wrote the screenplay, transposed the tale into a vivid rural Hindi setting, preserving the original's sharp moral critique of greed and human exploitation.
Was Saudagar an early breakthrough for Amitabh Bachchan?
Yes — Saudagar arrived in 1973, just as Amitabh Bachchan was beginning to establish himself in Bollywood. While Zanjeer that same year made him a star, Saudagar showcased a different, more restrained side of his range, demonstrating his ability to carry a character-driven drama.
Who directed and produced Saudagar (1973)?
Saudagar was directed by Sudhendu Roy, who also wrote the screenplay. The film was produced by Tarachand Barjatya under the banner of Rajshri Productions, the storied Indian studio known for family-oriented, emotionally resonant cinema.
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