What Is Daata About?
The premise of Daata in 297 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a modest Indian town where tradition and aspiration intersect, the respected teacher Dinanath lives a life shaped by scholarship and service. His modest home, shared with his steadfast wife Kamla, bright‑spirited daughter Shanti, and thoughtful son Kundan, stands as a quiet beacon of integrity. The town’s rhythm is punctuated by the occasional visit of officials, such as the dignified Education Minister who honors Dinanath’s literary work that weaves together the world’s major faiths. This setting, rich with communal ties and quiet pride, frames the everyday hopes of a family whose values resonate far beyond their doorstep.
When a marital arrangement for Shanti is struck with the family of a local goon, the fragile balance of honor and obligation is tested. The alliance’s sudden collapse under the weight of unforgiving dowry demands thrusts the household into a maelstrom of shame and helplessness. The reverberations of this upheaval ripple through the close‑knit community, leaving Kundan to confront a stark dilemma: uphold the principles his father cherished or succumb to the corrosive pressure of a society that offers little mercy to the vulnerable. The mood shades into a tense, almost mournful atmosphere, where the line between duty and desperation begins to blur.
Against this backdrop, Kundan feels the pull of retribution, a yearning that threatens to reshape his identity. The once gentle poet, nurtured by his father’s teachings, now stands at a crossroads where the allure of vengeance beckons and the promise of peace recedes. The narrative swirls with the tension of a soul caught between legacy and rebellion, hinting at the transformative journey that will test the very core of his character. In this world of simmering unrest, the story invites the audience to contemplate the price of honor and the paths forged when hope seems to falter.
What Happens in Daata?
The complete story of Daata, from the first scene to the last, in 367 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 3 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Master Dinanath is a respected schoolteacher in a quiet Indian town, living with his wife Kamla, his daughter Shanti, and his son Kundan. He dedicates himself to education and to a book called Daata, in which he references major religions of the world, a gesture that earns him formal recognition from the President of India through the Education Minister, Raja Suraj Singh. This moment of honor frames his life as one of service, learning, and a belief in harmony among people of different faiths.
To secure Shanti’s future, he arranges her marriage to the son of Gopaldas. But when dowry demands arise, Dinanath reveals that he has already given substantial gold and jewelry to Shanti. The revelation hits hard: the family discovers the gold is fake, and the marriage is abruptly canceled. The devastating news drives Shanti to kill herself, and Dinanath collapses with a heart attack. The tragedy ripples through the town, and Dinanath’s name becomes tarnished in the eyes of many who once respected him, leaving his wife and son to bear the consequences in isolation and sorrow.
With the family’s reputation shattered and help far from reach, Kundan chooses a dark path in pursuit of vengeance. He slips away from the ordinary life he grew up in and becomes a bandit, joining a rough group of outlaws who share a common aim: to strike at Gopaldas by targeting his son. This shift marks a brutal test of loyalty, of courage, and of how far one will go to avenge a father’s name and protect family honor. The campaign to confront the powerful family, however, invites its own set of dangers and moral compromises, as law, order, and personal code collide in a landscape paved with fear and desire for retribution.
Throughout the narrative, the film probes a difficult question about fate and responsibility: is this the life Dinanath might have foreseen for his son—a life of banditry and a potential death at the hands of the police? The tale lingers on the consequences of social pressures, broken trust, and the high cost of unresolved grievance, inviting audiences to weigh duty, punishment, and the costs of justice in a community where reputation can collapse overnight.
Daata Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Dinanath's life and the honored author” to “Enduring theme and unresolved fate”. 10 events name a place, across 7 locations.
- 1
Dinanath's life and the honored author
Dinanath is introduced as a school teacher in a small Indian town, devoted to his family and to ideas that bridge religions. He publishes a book titled Daata that references major world religions. The Education Minister Raja Suraj Singh presents the honor on behalf of the President of India, recognizing him for this contribution.
Where:Small town in India
- 2
Shanti's marriage arranged
Dinanath arranges Shanti's marriage to Gopaldas' son, hoping to secure his daughter's future. The family prepares for the wedding, and the community watches the match closely. The arrangement reveals Dinanath's standing and his commitment to tradition.
Where:Dinanath's home
- 3
Dowry pressure emerges
Gopaldas demands a dowry; Dinanath admits he cannot meet a larger demand. He asserts that he has already given substantial gold and jewelry to Shanti. The clash exposes the social pressure around dowries and threatens the wedding.
Where:Home
- 4
The fake gold revelation
The gold is revealed to be fake, rendering the dowry invalid and the marriage arrangement moot. The cancellation of the wedding deepens the family’s humiliation. Tension builds as the community questions Dinanath's honor.
Where:Home
- 5
Shanti's death
Shanti kills herself in the wake of the broken engagement. The act shocks the town and destroys what little stability remained. Her death becomes the emotional catalyst for the ensuing tragedy.
Where:Home
- 6
Dinanath's death
Dinanath dies of a heart attack soon after the tragedy. His death robs the family of its last pillar of respect and support. The community's judgment hangs over Kundan and his mother.
Where:Home
- 7
The family is left to endure stigma
With Dinanath gone, Kundan and his mother face social ostracism and financial hardship. No one comes forward to help them recover from the scandal that followed the wedding incident. The family's isolation deepens as rumors spread.
Where:Town
- 8
Kundan vows revenge
Kundan resolves to avenge his father's death by killing Gopaldas' son. He moves from grief to anger and begins to plan his path outside the respectable life he once led. This vow marks a turning point toward violence.
Where:Village/town
- 9
Kundan joins a band of outlaws
Kundan joins a band of other outlaws, embracing a criminal life to pursue revenge. The group becomes his new identity as he learns to survive in the criminal world. The quest for vengeance consumes him.
Where:Bandit camp
- 10
The hunt to kill Gopaldas' son
From the bandit group, the plan to strike Gopaldas' son intensifies. The pursuit brings danger to Gopaldas and those around him, threatening more bloodshed. The cycle of violence grows as the target remains outstanding.
Where:Bandit hideout
- 11
Foreshadowing and questions of foresight
The narrative lingers on whether Dinanath had foreseen this fate for his son. It questions whether a teacher's ideals could predict such a grim path. The tension between parental hopes and a son's choices becomes the central theme.
- 12
Enduring theme and unresolved fate
The story ends with an unresolved question about fate versus choice. It invites the audience to consider the costs of pride, social expectation, and revenge. The legacy of Dinanath's hopes remains unsettled, leaving tragedy in its wake.
Who Are the Main Characters in Daata?
6 characters, among them Master Dinanath (Saeed Jaffrey), Kundan (Mithun Chakraborty) and Sona Dwarka Prasad (Padmini Kolhapure): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Master Dinanath (Saeed Jaffrey)
Played by Saeed Jaffrey
A devoted school-teacher whose book on world religions earns national recognition, embodying intellect and moral responsibility. He tries to bridge divides in a town dominated by tradition, but his ideals are shattered by a tragedy rooted in social norms. His death catalyzes the family's subsequent struggle against a corrupt system.
- 🎓 Educator
- 📚 Author
- 🕊️ Moral integrity
- K(
Kundan (Mithun Chakraborty)
Played by Mithun Chakraborty
Dinanath's son who descends into banditry in his quest for revenge. He wrestles with anger, loyalty, and the seductive lure of criminal power, illustrating how trauma and injustice can push a person toward violence. His choices drive the film toward a brutal confrontation with authority and family.
- 🗡️ Avenger
- 💔 Family tragedy
- 🎭 Antihero
- SD
Sona Dwarka Prasad (Padmini Kolhapure)
Played by Padmini Kolhapure
A key figure connected to the arranged marriage plot, representing the pressures of tradition and dowry within a family. Her presence highlights how social expectations shape destinies and intensify conflicts around marriage and wealth.
- 💍 Dowry pressure
- 👪 Family dynamics
- 🏛️ Traditions
- LN
Lala Naagraj (Prem Chopra)
Played by Prem Chopra
The groom’s family representative whose involvement underscores greed and transactional views of marriage. His role demonstrates how wealth and status corrupt intimate decisions and escalate the dowry dispute.
- 💸 Dowry
- 🧭 Social pressure
- 🗺️ Family ties
- DS
DIG Sher Ali Khan (Shammi Kapoor)
Played by Shammi Kapoor
A determined police officer who represents law and order while navigating the complexities of corruption and vigilante violence. His pursuit of truth tests the balance between due process and moral duty in a town under strain.
- 👮 Law
- ⚖️ Justice
- 🧭 Authority
- G(
Gopaldas (Amrish Puri)
Played by Amrish Puri
A patriarch whose insistence on dowry drives the central tragedy, illustrating how greed and social standing erode ethics. His actions set off a chain of events that devastate families and fuel conflicts between individuals and the community.
- 🏛️ Power
- 💳 Greed
- 🧩 Family honor
Where and When Is Daata Set?
Daata is set in India and small town. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
India, small town
The story unfolds in a close-knit Indian town where education and public reputation matter. Family honor and social expectations drive many decisions, creating a claustrophobic environment where personal tragedy becomes communal concern. The setting emphasizes traditional values colliding with modern aspirations.
- 🏙️ Small town
- 🎓 Education
- 🏛️ Social norms
What Are the Themes of Daata?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Revenge, Dowry culture and Authority and justice.
-
01
Revenge
Kundan's vow to avenge his father's death propels him into a life of banditry. The pursuit of vengeance tests loyalty and morality, showing how a single act of revenge can spiral into broader cycles of violence. The narrative examines whether justice is achievable through retaliation or if mercy must prevail.
-
02
Dowry culture
Dowry demand becomes the pivotal trigger for the tragedy, revealing the harsh realities of wealth and status in marital alliances. The fake gold and ruined wedding underscore how financial symbolism corrupts intimate relationships. The plot critiques how material pressures distort ethics and family bonds.
-
03
Authority and justice
Gopaldas's actions and the ensuing pursuit by law highlight tensions between social power and formal justice. The story juxtaposes community pressure with institutional authority, questioning who really upholds justice. The DIG's involvement adds a layer of accountability and moral ambiguity.
What Kind of Film Is Daata?
Dark in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Dark
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A relentlessly intense and somber film that chronicles a man's rapid descent into vengeful violence following the tragic destruction of his family by greed and social cruelty.
- angry
- grieving
- vengeful
- despairing
- oppressive
- tragic
- revenge
- dowry system
- family tragedy
- social injustice
Content notes: suicide, death of parent, revenge killing, dowry harassment.
Where to Watch Daata
Stream it on Fawesome and Tubi TV. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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