Cinema is a form of entertainment but it can be used as an effective instrument to deliver a social message. Unsurprisingly, films based on social themes have been attempted time and again and have retained their popularity. As a sub-theme, films depicting women related issues like empowerment & self-identity, professional equality, social customs and traditional oppression, domestic violence etc have been presented with success.

V Shantaram had tackled the issue of dowry in the aptly titled Dahej (1950). The demands of the in-laws never seem to cease and the poor daughter in law has to face the brunt. Pudhcha Paool (meaning The Next Step) covers a similar theme. The film is directed by the reliable Raj Dutt and is successful in delivering its message.

The Plot

At the centre of Pudhcha Paool is a middle class family called Patgaonkar. Anna (Yeshwant Dutt) is the head of the family. His wife is Mai (Ashalata Wabgaonkar), a school teacher. They have a son Shrinivas alias Shinu (Sagar) who works in a private firm and is hoping to be a purchase officer soon. Shinu’s [second] wife is Chitra (Manasi Magikar), a housewife. This is a seemingly normal family but it is not so. (It is revealed that Shinu had a first wife called Rekha, who committed suicide because of the way she was treated by her in laws).

Chitra’s younger sister is getting married. The invitation has arrived and she is excited to attend the wedding. But Mai and Sagar don’t think so. They make her write a letter requesting her father Babasaheb (Nilu Phule) to arrange Rs 7,000 to purchase a refrigerator. The implication is that Chitra and Shinu will attend the wedding only if the money is committed by Babasaheb. Chitra begs to go for the wedding but Mai makes her stand clear.

Anna is supportive of his daughter-in-law but is a bit helpless. Meanwhile Chitra’s parents are eagerly waiting for her arrival. They are fully aware of the nature of Chitra’s in-laws. Her mother (Suhasini Deshpande) is worried that Chitra won’t be able to attend the celebrations.

Mai has put a lot of restrictions on Chitra. She cannot step out of the house without permission. Chitra is fond of music but she cannot join a music class. She is not allowed to mingle with the neighbours who are sympathetic towards Chitra. There is a young man next door Ramu (Prashant Damle) who lends books to Chitra. Ramu is also interested in music and plays the violin. Mai does not like their interaction and tells the same to Chitra. In general, Chitra is like a trapped bird with no potential of being freed.

Mai is eagerly waiting for Babasaheb’s response on the money demand. She asks Chitra to feign illness so that everybody will think that she had the “flu” and did not travel for the wedding. Chitra is crestfallen and Anna tries to cheer her up. She dreams of the celebrations and sings a song… Kaa ga saajani bheeje paapani. But her dreams are shattered when Mai tears the wedding invitation. No money, no wedding.

Some reasons are provided as to why Mai is so money minded. Apparently, Anna owned a general store as well as a dairy. It is hinted he had to lose both because of his own mismanagement and lack of capability(!). Mai’s sisters have built their own bungalows. She wants Anna to sell a plot of land he owns. The money can be put to better use but Anna repeatedly refuses to sell the plot.

After the wedding, Babasaheb comes to meet Chitra and take her with him for a few days. Mai swings into action. First she tells him in a sugar coated manner as to why Chitra was unable to come for the wedding. He hands over the gifts brought for all four of them. But Mai has had enough. She asks him outright about the money. Given his economic condition, he is unable to commit anything which makes her flare up. She asks him to gather the gifts and leave immediately. He can show his face only when the money has been arranged.

An insulted and dejected Babasaheb leaves and settles down under a tree. He hears a poignant song from the nearby temple…Jo to aapapala yethe kuni naa aadhar, manachiya ghavawari manachi funkar. Later, Ramu informs Anna about the whole situation. Anna treats Chitra like his daughter. He is furious at Mai’s behaviour and lectures her as well as Shinu. They are shaken by his behaviour.

The next few days pass normally. Strangely, Mai and Shinu are in a subdued mood. Anna informs Chitra he is going to Kashmir on a trip. He wants to record her song so he does not miss her company. She is reluctant but Anna and Ramu push her. She sings the song…Ekaach yaa janami janu with Ramu accompanying her on the violin.

Chitra is scared that something will happen when Anna is not around to support her. There is probably a storm coming after all the calm. But he convinces her it is a matter of a few days. Hopefully she will be able to go to her parents’ house soon. And Anna leaves for Kashmir.

Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned and Chitra’s fears are proved right. Mai keeps Chitra locked in the house when she and Shinu are out. The neighbours are suspicious and rally to help Chitra. Ramu calls out Chitra. She tells him that she is fed up of living in the house. It is like the worst nightmare and she has to flee from here. Ramu understands the situation. He attempts to break the lock as the ladies try to divert Mai’s attention and delay her arrival in the house. But the sharp Mai enters the house and finds Chitra packing her bag with the intention to leave. Chitra begs her to let her go.

But its too late. Mai tells Shinu about Chitra’s plan. He locks her in the toilet. Next day it is found that Chitra has committed suicide by hanging. Since the door was locked from inside, no suspicion can fall upon Mai or Shinu. The police cannot do anything.

The news reach Babasaheb. Anna comes to know about the happening only after he returns from his trip. But what can he do?

Mai is already looking for a new wife for Shinu. The match arrives in the form of a man called Nana Akurlikar (Irshad Hashmi). His daughter Kamal (Archana Patkar) is eligible for marriage.

They own a lot of property in the Konkan area, which is all in Kamal’s name. That’s music to Mai’s ears. She cooks up a story on how Chitra died (stating she was insane and this was not disclosed before marriage). She further tells him that he might hear some contradictory things from Anna because Anna has also become mentally unstable. Nana is fine to go ahead with the marriage. Shinu meets Kamal and all is agreed.

Prior to the marriage, Anna and Ramu go to meet Kamal’s father Nana but they fail to make him understand the reality. Nana is all happy for his daughter. Shinu and Kamal get married. Anna is unable to come to terms. He keeps getting reminded of Chitra whenever Kamal approaches him.

What lies in store for Kamal? Will she meet the same fate as Rekha and Chitra? The film takes an interesting turn to bring out its core theme and reach its conclusion.

The Music

There are only 3 songs, all penned by Sudhir Moghe. Sudhir Phadke is the composer.

Sudhir Phadke sings the devotional cum philosophical Jo to aapapala yethe kuni naa aadhar. The wedding song Kaa ga saajani bheeje paapani is sung by Asha Bhosle. But the song that stays with you is Ekaach yaa janami janu beautifully rendered by Asha Bhosle. She won the Maharashtra State Best Playback Singer award. This is a song of positivity and hope to forget all that has happened and rise again. Of special mention is a long violin piece which leaves its distinct mark on the listener.

Trivia…It is interesting to note that Sudhir Phadke and Asha Bhosle had first worked together in a film called Pudhcha Paool in 1950. They worked again in a film with the same title 3 decades later. This was almost their last collaboration before Sudhir Phadke stopped composing.

My Thoughts

The film won the Best Film and Best Director award at the Maharashtra State Film Awards. It touches upon a sensitive subject but presents it without getting preachy. The film sticks to its core story and avoids unnecessary diversions. The comedy (or rather sarcastic) touches don’t seem boring. The songs are well placed.

The performances by the established actors like Yeshwant Dutt, Ashalata Wabgaonkar and Nilu Phule are impressive. Famous villain Nilu Phule plays the positive role convincingly. Ashalata shines in her role. It is interesting to note that Prashant Damle, Manasi Magikar, Archana Patkar and Sagar made their debuts with this film. While the first 3 are well known names, not much information is available about Sagar.