Radha is the central figure, a resilient wife and mother who endures poverty, debt, loss, and the abandonment of Shamu. She refuses Sukhilala’s exploitative offer, persuades the villagers to rebuild after the flood, raises Birju and Ramu, and ultimately kills Birju to protect Sukhilala’s family before inaugurating the canal.
Vidya is poor but virtuous, and Raj's love interest. She tries to guide him toward becoming a good man, but his growing dishonesty makes her increasingly contemptuous of him. After Raj acts against Sonachand's scheme and proves his guilt, Vidya forgives him.
The doctor's daughter, Geeta falls in love with Ashok while he stays with her family during his recovery. After her father dies, her aunts mistake Bindiya for Ashok's wife and persuade Geeta to marry Ashok's publisher. Following further turns in the story, Geeta and Ashok unite.
Raj's childhood friend and later law student who becomes a ward of Justice Raghunath. Despite Raj's criminal past, she recognizes his inherent goodness, forgives him, and actively defends him in court. Her unwavering support and love motivate Raj's desire to reform, and she remains faithful, promising to wait for his release from prison.
Gaura is Raju's childhood sweetheart, and the two promise to stay together and marry. Jeevan becomes obsessed with her and tries to break their relationship. After Raju is imprisoned for killing Jeevan while saving her from an assault, Gaura's father tries to arrange another marriage for her. Gaura falls from a window into a lake and dies.
A very poor woman from a village, Asha lives with her mother and blind father. After her mother dies, she is mistreated by her stepmother, who tries to arrange her marriage to an old villager. Asha falls in love with Anil and becomes pregnant; Jeevan later takes responsibility for the pregnancy to protect her from shame. She eventually meets Anil again.
Bela is the poor, simple daughter of the former postmaster and is devoted to Ashok, preparing his meals and hoping to marry him despite his lack of romantic love for her. Jealous of Usha, she falsely tells her that Ashok has confessed his love. Bela is badly injured in a fall while watching Usha's wedding and dies after Ashok promises to marry her.
Nargis has 48 screen credits in a career dating back to 1935. Signature works include Nargis, Mother India, Pardesi. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.
