CBFC Watch

Amar (Rajesh Khanna) and Prem (Prem Chopra) are college buddies, while Asha (Babita) and Shobana (Nazma) become friends. Marriages are arranged; there is a hitch. Dowry is demanded. In Prem's case his older brother, who had resolved never to ask for dowry, is constrained to do so to enable Prem to buy his air ticket to the US for higher studies. Ramprasad, Asha's dad fails to show up for the wedding with the agreed sum, and the wedding is canceled, at the last minute. The amazing thing is that Asha's betrothed never has seen or met Asha, only his parents had. Obedient son that he is, he allows his dad to dictate his actions, and trusts his parents have made the right decision. Prem on his return from the USA has changed for the worse; he takes to drinking, rejects his wife and becomes an office predator, stalking his secretary. She is in love with Amar, but needs the job to help pay off a debt incurred when her father went missing, together with the payroll money he had withdrawn from the bank on behalf of his employer. Asha gamely puts up with the workplace harassment, with a hidden agenda of setting things right for Shobana's marriage. An elaborate charade ensues to teach Prem a lesson in humiliation. When he fails in seduction, is abduction the only option?—MG Gopalan