Devi (1970) Directed by V. Madhusudhana Rao, it is a Hindi social melodrama starring Nutan and Sanjeev Kumar in the lead roles, with supporting performances by Farida Jalal, Aruna Irani, Lalita Pawar, Manorama, Madan Puri, Rehman, Gajanan Jagirdar, Manmohan Krishna, Mukri, Dina Pathak, Sulochana, and Mehmood. The film emerged as a notable commercial success, particularly among family audiences, owing to its emotionally charged narrative, strong performances, and exploration of social stigma, familial honour, and gendered morality within a traditional Indian setting. The music was composed by the celebrated duo Laxmikant–Pyarelal, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi.
Set in a rural Indian milieu, the narrative centres on Devi (Nutan), a young woman living with her widowed mother, Jamuna. She falls in love with the village doctor, Shekhar (Sanjeev Kumar), and the two subsequently marry. Their union, however, encounters vehement opposition from Shekhar's elder brother and his widowed mother-in-law, who resides with the family alongside her unmarried daughter, Shobha, following the death of her elder child. The older woman had long intended for Shekhar to marry Shobha, and Devi's arrival disrupts both familial expectations and domestic hierarchies.
As tensions escalate within the household and Devi becomes the target of hostility and suspicion, Shekhar contemplates relocating in order to preserve their marriage. A temporary reconciliation eventually leads to Devi's reluctant acceptance into the family. The couple's happiness appears to deepen when Devi becomes pregnant, a development that fills Shekhar with optimism and emotional fulfilment.
The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Shekhar travels abroad to attend a medical seminar. Upon his return several weeks later, he discovers that Devi has mysteriously disappeared. In his search for answers, he visits Jamuna's residence, only to be directed toward a local brothel. There, he is confronted with photographs of Devi and her widowed mother in compromising circumstances, including an image of Jamuna in the company of an unidentified man. Shocked and emotionally shattered, Shekhar assumes the worst, returns home in remorse, seeks forgiveness from his brother, and vows never again to involve himself with Devi or enter into another marriage. Yet the film sustains its emotional and moral ambiguity by posing unresolved questions: Is Devi truly guilty of the accusations levelled against her, or is she the victim of circumstance and social prejudice? And who is the mysterious man seen alongside her mother?
The soundtrack of Devi further contributed to the film's popularity. Composed by Laxmikant–Pyarelal and written by Anand Bakshi, the music featured the voices of legendary playback singers such as Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. Among the notable songs from the film are Shaadi Ke Liye Razamand Kar Li, Teri Haseen Nigah Ka, Kya Jhoota Lagta Hai Ek Ek Hain Sab Hindustani and Jogan Pritam Ki, all of which enjoyed popularity during the film's release period.
Nutan's performance in Devi received widespread critical acclaim and is often cited among the significant performances of her later career. Critics praised her restrained and naturalistic acting style, particularly her ability to convey emotional vulnerability, dignity, and psychological complexity within the conventions of mainstream Hindi melodrama. Her portrayal of a woman caught between patriarchal suspicion and personal integrity added considerable depth to the film's emotional landscape.
The film also attracted public attention beyond its cinematic achievements due to sensational rumours circulated by sections of the popular press and gossip circles regarding an alleged romantic relationship between Nutan and Sanjeev Kumar during production. Reports falsely claimed that the two actors were involved romantically, living together, and even contemplating custody arrangements concerning Nutan's son. Deeply distressed by the defamatory speculation surrounding her personal and marital life, Nutan reportedly confronted Sanjeev Kumar publicly and slapped him on the sets of the film. The incident became one of the most widely discussed controversies in Hindi cinema at the time, reflecting both the intrusive culture of celebrity gossip and the intense scrutiny faced by female stars in the Indian film industry.