This 1952 movie has a nicely portrayed social message - very appropriate for those times.
In music and dance, it is in a class by itself - no ill-fitting scene as seen in Bollywood movies of more recent years. Gopi Krishna's dances were fabulous.
The background music (embellished with Sitar and Sarod) is exquisite - befitting the theme and mood of each scene.
Nimmi's character portrayal (as Rani) is classy - she sacrifices her own aspirations for the person she loves: facilitating the engagement with Janaki (played by Kalpana Kartik); rallying the community to prevent the blackmail wedding of Seth Kuberdas (played by K. N. Singh whose favorite line is "I am a businessman) with Janaki; ending the exploitation of Kuberdas forever.
What an episode when Janaki decides to sacrifice her future to protect her parents and their home and goes to Kuberdas and says, "You are a businessman; I have come to do business with you"!
The senior actresses who played the roles of the mothers and Kuberdas' expelled wife performed very well too.
K. N. Singh (a veteran in playing the villain role) performed very well as the exploitative moneylender, abusing the ill-gained wealth for his own sensuous pleasure.
The cast in the supporting roles also performed well (Johnny Walker; the Pahalvan; Kuberdas' muneem).
The court scene at the end was as unrealistic as in most Bollywood movies I have seen. It was contrived to introduce a tirade of social messages by the defendant's attorney, Ram (De Anand). Still, bringing the testimony of Kuberdas' expelled wife and the testimony of Kuberdas' muneem were surprising twists in the plot.
Society has under-rated this movie. I feel like listening to some of the songs again.
