Nastik

(1954)

Anil is one of the victims who suffer in the religious riots that follow partition. He loses his parents and is stripped of his fortune though he manages to reach the Indian border with his younger sister Kamal and ailing baby brother Munna. Wounded in mind and body and almost penniless he seeks shelter in a dharamshala. here, his brothers condition suddenly becomes worse and at the instance of Kamala, he reluctantly goes to a nearby temple and requests the Mahant to come to the dharamshala and recite Ram-Jap by the side of his dying brother. Anil being poor, the Mahant refuses to oblige and abuses him, Thereupon, Anil tries to take him by force but the Mahant raises a hue and cry and gets him arrested for attempted robbery. Anil does not get justice and is sentenced to one years hard labour. By this time his brother dies, This enrages him and he takes a vow to avenge himself upon the Mahant for the death of his brother. Kamla, without anybody's help is reduced to beggary and is saved from suicide by an apparently kind rais called kumar Sahib who compels her to take the profession of a dancing girl to suit his own ends. On his release from jail, Anil finds Kamala dancing at a party organised by Kumar Sahib. On seeing Anil, Kamala Vainly explains to him the circumstances which forces her to adopt this profession but Anil is bitterly sorry at this and leaves her in a temper. Later on, Anil realises that Kamala is an innocent and hastend to meet her omly to find her dead- she having committed sucide in despair of loding the love of her dear brother. Anil is shocked at this and swears vengence on Kumar Sahib, the man responsible for this tragedy. At the same time his faith in the Almighty is completely and finally shattered. Mahant, aware of Anils vow of vengence, leaves the city on the pretext of going on a pligrimage. He is accompanied by his devotee Ranima, the mother of kumar Sahib, Later Kumar Sahib also joins them and they go from one tirth to another closely followed by Anil. One day, Ramma, young and beautiful daughter of the Mahant is praying to the Sun God, the flowers she offers fall at the feet of Anil who happens to pass that way and falls in love with him as she takes him to be the God-sent answer to her prayers. Anil at first pays no attention to her but as soon as he learns that she is the daughter of the Mahant who has wronged him, he plans to take revenge. He pretends to fall in love with her and carefull carries his plan to success by secretly marrying her.