Sharada (1957 film)

Sharada is a 1957 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by L. Prasad. The film stars Raj Kapoor and Meena Kumari in the lead roles, along with Anita Guha and Raj Mehra.

The film tells the story of Sharada (Meena Kumari), a woman who sacrifices her own happiness to care for her family. She is forced to marry a much older man (Raj Mehra) to save her brother from financial ruin. After his death, she dedicates her life to her family, foregoing her own desires and chances at love. Later, a young doctor, Chiranjeev (Raj Kapoor), enters her life and falls in love with her. The central conflict revolves around their forbidden love, as Sharada is considered to be like a mother figure to Chiranjeev due to her connection to his uncle.

The film explores themes of sacrifice, societal expectations, and the complexities of love and family relationships. Sharada is known for its melodramatic storyline, emotional performances, and popular songs. It was a commercial success and is considered a classic of Hindi cinema.