Character Relationship Map: Dard

Characters

• Deepak Srivastav / Vikas "Vicky" Srivastav (played by Rajesh Khanna) — protagonist

  Deepak is a lawyer whose life is ruined by coercion, sacrifice, and false accusations. He accepts another marriage to protect his sister, later takes the blame for a killing, and spends years in priso...

• Seema (played by Hema Malini) — protagonist

  Seema is Deepak's former lover and a public prosecutor who initially helps secure his life imprisonment. After learning how her father manipulated events, she raises Deepak's son as her own and protec...

• Poonam Bhargav (played by Poonam Dhillon) — supporting

  Poonam is the young woman loved by Deepak's son. She welcomes his return from America, becomes engaged to him, and is connected to the household where Deepak later works as a gardener. Her relationshi...

• Vikas's Sister (played by Poornima Bhagyaraj) — supporting
• Sushma (played by Ranjeeta Kaur) — supporting

  Sushma is Deepak's sister and the only family he has left at the beginning of the story. Deepak arranges her marriage, but the groom later demands an unaffordable dowry after being tempted by money. T...

• Ajit Saxena (played by Mazhar Khan) — supporting

  Ajit is initially presented as the intended husband of Deepak's sister and appears understanding of Deepak's financial difficulties. He later becomes corrupt, demands dowry, and is involved in the kil...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Vikas's Sister → Deepak Srivastav / Vikas "Vicky" Srivastav (sister)
• Deepak Srivastav / Vikas "Vicky" Srivastav → Poonam Bhargav (Professional Employer And Gardener) — Deepak enters Poonam's household professionally while remaining secretly connected to Vicky.

  After Vicky returns, Deepak obtains a gardener's job at Poonam's house and feels happy whenever Vicky visits there.

• Sushma → Ajit Saxena (Romantic Fiancees) — Their engagement is endangered when Ajit accepts a dowry demand.

  The plot explicitly states that Sushma becomes engaged to Ajit.

• Deepak Srivastav / Vikas "Vicky" Srivastav → Sushma (Family Brother And Sister) — Deepak sacrifices his romantic future to protect his sister's marriage.

  The plot identifies Sushma as Deepak's only remaining family and shows him arranging her marriage.

• Deepak Srivastav / Vikas "Vicky" Srivastav → Seema (Romantic Soulbound Lovers) — Deepak and Seema share a lasting love that survives separation, imprisonment, and legal opposition.

  The plot states that Deepak and Seema were ardent lovers, considered themselves married, and believed their souls were united.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Seema → Ajit Saxena (Conflict Blackmail Victim) — Ajit's knowledge of the hidden father-son relationship gives him leverage over Seema.

  Ajit blackmails Seema by threatening to reveal Deepak's identity to Vicky, and Seema yields to his pressure.

• Deepak Srivastav / Vikas "Vicky" Srivastav → Ajit Saxena (Conflict Family Rival) — Their relationship changes from prospective in-law cooperation to deep hostility.

  Ajit is engaged to Deepak's sister, but later demands dowry, and Deepak becomes involved in the consequences of Ajit's actions.

Story Analysis

A tragic story of love, sacrifice, hidden parentage, and repeated courtroom conflict.

Plot Progression

1. The Verdict And Lost Love — Deepak is convicted of killing a courtesan, while Seema appears against him as public prosecutor. Seema's memories reveal their former love and spiritual commitment.
2. Sacrifice For Sushma — Deepak's effort to arrange Sushma's marriage is damaged by Ajit's dowry demand. To obtain help, Deepak accepts a bargain that forces him away from Seema.
3. The Prisoner's Promise — After his wife's death and the murder blame, Deepak accepts imprisonment. He asks Seema to raise Vicky and hide the truth about his parentage.
4. A Hidden Family — Vicky returns from America, while Deepak quietly works as a gardener near him. Vicky's engagement to Poonam creates a fragile period of hope.
5. The Secret On Trial — Ajit returns and blackmails Seema with the hidden father-son relationship. After Ajit's death, Vicky prosecutes Deepak and Seema defends him.