Rattan

Rattan, released in 1944 and starring Amir Banu, Karan Dewan and Swarnalata was a landmark movie in more than one way. Gauri and Govind live in a village and have been playmates since they were children. The entire village knows about Gauri and Govind’s romance. Gangu has been telling Gauri’s mother that now that Gauri has grown up, it’s not seemly for her to be gallivanting around the village with Govind. Govind’s mother is, similarly, not in favor of Govind harboring any sort of affection for Gauri. Gauri is married to Rattan and Govind is devastated. Rattan is shattered when he catches a glimpse of Gauri’s face. This is a beautiful young girl, he realizes. A mere teenager, not a raggedy old spinster who’d never have got married if it hadn’t been for him. Rattan decides that he will not consummate the marriage.