Saudagar (1973): A Relation of Love, Business, and Betrayal

Saudagar, a 1973 production from Rajshri Productions, is a poignant drama directed by Sudhendu Roy and produced by Tarachand Barjatya. The film’s story, based on Sudhir Mukherji‘s work ‘Ras‘, explores the complexities of self-interest in relationships, featuring stellar performances by Amitabh Bachchan as Moti and Nutan as Mahzubi, with Padma Khanna in a key role as Phoolbanu. The musical score by Ravindra Jain further elevates the narrative.

The Plot: A Sweet Deal Turns Bitter

The story centers on Moti (Amitabh Bachchan), a shrewd jaggery (gud) trader, whose business acumen leads him to a morally questionable marriage proposal. Knowing that Mahzubi (Nutan) is the most skilled jaggery maker in the village, Moti abruptly proposes to her one midnight. Despite her initial surprise and protestations, Moti’s flattering insistence that she is “the best” wins her over, and they are soon married.

Moti’s true motivation, however, is purely commercial. He is actually in love with Phoolbanu (Padma Khanna) but uses Mahzubi’s skill to establish his reputation as a successful businessman the “Saudagar.” As he expected, Mahzubi’s perfectly crafted jaggery sells like “hotcakes,” bringing him great prosperity. Once his business is booming, Moti coldly discards his marriage of convenience. He pays a dowry to Phoolbanu’s father, weds her, and brings her home, devastating Mahzubi. In a moment of cruel finality, Moti divorces Mahzubi by uttering the triple talak.

The Consequences of Calculation

The new marriage, however, quickly proves disastrous for Moti’s bottom line. One day, while Moti is away, Phoolbanu neglects the jaggery cooking to bathe in a lake, resulting in the entire batch being spoiled. The significant loss infuriates Moti, who realizes his true business partner was Mahzubi, not his new love. Driven by pragmatism once more, he divorces Phoolbanu with the triple talak as well, sending her back to her father.

Desperate to restore his business, Moti returns to Mahzubi, hoping to enlist her help in jaggery preparation. Initially, Mahzubi understandably rejects his plea. Ultimately, however, her sense of duty or perhaps her enduring goodness prevails, and she agrees to prepare the jaggery for him.

A Critically Acclaimed Hit

The film was a super hit upon its release, celebrated for its compelling story and strong execution. The dramatic depth provided by Nutan’s nuanced performance, the charm and eventual callousness of Amitabh Bachchan’s portrayal of Moti, and the lively presence of Padma Khanna are often highlighted as the film’s major strengths. Sudhendu Roy’s direction masterfully brings out the film’s central conflict the tension between love, loyalty, and materialistic ambition.

Vidyasagar Chaturvedula

Principle Correspondent, Prime Post

Vidya Sagar Chaturvedula is a passionate film enthusiast whose four-decade career spans multiple sectors, including media and industry. Fluent in Telugu, Hindi, and English, he has a deep appreciation for cinema, particularly films in those three languages. His passion goes beyond simple viewing; he enjoys analyzing directional skill, the emotional depth of actors’ performances, and the profound meaning embedded in dialogue. Mr. Sagar is known for his ability to clearly articulate and narrate his insightful film analyses after watching a movie.