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Plot summary

Jeevan Mrityu (1970) Plot Summary & Timeline

Jeevan Mrityu (1970) movie poster

Jeevan Mrityu is a 1970 drama and crime film directed by Satyen Bose, running 2 hours 38 minutes. This page retells the whole story in 416 words (about 2 minutes to read) and covers 12 key events in order, 7 characters, where and when it is set and 3 themes. Looking for the cast, ratings and where to stream it? See the movie page for Jeevan Mrityu.

to read the plot summary
2 min
key events in the timeline
12
characters profiled
7
themes explained
3
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Jeevan Mrityu (1970) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 38m
Director
Satyen Bose
Genres
Drama, Crime, Romance
Original language
Hindi
No spoilers

What Is Jeevan Mrityu About?

The premise of Jeevan Mrityu in 303 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In a world where integrity is both a virtue and a vulnerability, Ashok Tandon stands as a pillar of honesty. A dedicated bank manager with a spotless reputation, he has meticulously built a life that promises stability and joy. At his side is Deepa, his childhood friend turned fiancée, whose unwavering support suggests a future bright with shared memories and professional success. Their bond, rooted in years of friendship and a quiet promise of marriage, seems unbreakable as they approach their long-awaited wedding day, envisioning a life defined by trust and a hard-earned stability.

However, fate deals a cruel hand just as their dreams are crystallizing, shattering the calm with a sudden, devastating accusation. On the very eve of his wedding, Ashok finds himself arrested for embezzlement—a crime that stands in stark contrast to everything he represents. The charges are not merely a legal hurdle but a catastrophic blow to his identity, casting a long shadow over his career and his impending marriage. As the gears of the legal system begin to turn against him, Ashok is forced to trade his manager’s desk for a prison cell, leaving his fiancée to face the world alone while he maintains his innocence against a tide of suspicion.

Years pass behind bars, yet Ashok’s spirit remains unbroken by the injustice he has endured. Upon his release, he steps into a reality that has shifted irrevocably, now driven by a singular, burning purpose: to clear his tarnished name and reclaim the life that was stolen from him. The journey ahead is fraught with uncertainty, requiring him to navigate a convoluted web of betrayal to find Deepa and expose the truth. With the shadow of his past looming large, Ashok embarks on a quest for vengeance and justice, determined to confront the hidden hands that orchestrated his downfall.

Full plot

What Happens in Jeevan Mrityu?

The complete story of Jeevan Mrityu, from the first scene to the last, in 416 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 2 cast member pages.

Spoilers ahead

Ashok Tandon, Dharmendra, and Deepa, Rakhee Gulzar, are childhood friends who study in the same college and fall in love, sharing a quiet promise of marriage as the years pass. After completing their studies, Ashok embarks on a banking career and quickly rises to the role of bank manager, while Deepa stands by him, envisioning a stable future together. Their plans are shaken when Ashok is suddenly arrested for theft from the bank, casting a shadow over their once-bright future. He entrusts Deepa with looking after his mother, a duty she willingly accepts, even as the weight of the accusation begins to press on both of them. Ashok is sentenced to several years in prison, leaving Deepa to cope with the consequences of a crime he maintains he did not commit.

Upon his release, Ashok faces a grim cascade of losses: he learns that his mother has died, Deepa has married and relocated, and he discovers that his colleagues at the bank were the ones who framed him. Despite this crushing turn of events, he remains determined and principled, and his resilience earns him a new ally in Raja Ranvir Singh, [Bipin Gupta], who offers him employment and a fresh identity. Ashok thus becomes Bikram Singh, a forged life that gives him the chance to hunt for truth and vengeance alike. With this new persona, he must locate Deepa while navigating the convoluted web of his former bank colleagues who were instrumental in destroying his life.

As the reawakened resolve grows, Deepa and Shankar [Jeevan Dhar] are abducted by Harish, [Ajit Khan], prompting Bikram to step in. He agrees to pay the ransom, a tense moment that reveals the depth of danger surrounding them and the precarious balance between right and revenge. Deepa soon learns that Bikram Singh is, in fact, Ashok, a revelation that adds a painful layer to their already complicated history. In the ensuing struggle, a brutal clash erupts between Harish’s goons and Bikram, testing his strength and resolve. Shankar is pinned on a rooftop but is saved by Bikram, underscoring the fragile line between peril and salvation.

The pursuit and confrontation escalate as law enforcement closes in: the police arrive, and Harish faces arrest for his crimes, while the high court ultimately punishes Harish and his accomplices for their audacious scheme. Across the storm of events, Ashok/Bikram’s unwavering honesty and strategic acumen drive him toward a reckoning with the past and a cautious hope for a future that had seemed forever lost.

Timeline

Jeevan Mrityu Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

12 key events in the order they happen, from “Ashok and Deepa's college romance” to “High Court verdict against Harish and allies”. 12 events name a place, across 11 locations.

  1. 1

    Ashok and Deepa's college romance

    Ashok Tandon and Deepa are childhood friends who study in the same college and fall in love. They plan to marry after graduation, envisioning a shared future. Their bond sets the course for the events that follow.

    When:College years Where:College

  2. 2

    Ashok becomes bank manager and the engagement plans

    After college, Ashok joins a bank and rises to bank manager. The couple looks forward to an upcoming marriage.

    When:Soon after college Where:Bank

  3. 3

    Arrest for theft and request to look after his mother

    Ashok is arrested for theft from the bank, creating a crisis in their plans. He asks Deepa to look after his mother, which she agrees to do.

    When:Shortly after arrest Where:Bank/City

  4. 4

    Imprisonment and separation

    He is sentenced to prison for several years, separating him from Deepa. The ordeal marks the beginning of a long separation.

    When:Following arrest Where:Prison

  5. 5

    Release, mother's death, and betrayal revealed

    On his release, he learns his mother has died. Deepa is married and living elsewhere; he discovers he was framed by his bank colleagues. The realization rekindles his desire for justice.

    When:After release Where:Home/City

  6. 6

    New identity and ally

    Raja Ranbir Singh befriends him and offers a job and a new identity as Bikram Singh. This new alias enables him to start over and plan his next moves.

    When:After release Where:City

  7. 7

    Vengeance plan takes shape

    As Bikram Singh, he resolves to find Deepa and confront his betrayers at the bank. He pursues justice with renewed resolve and a hidden purpose.

    When:Following new identity Where:City

  8. 8

    Deepa and Shankar kidnapped by Harish

    Deepa and Shankar are kidnapped by Harish, who demands a ransom. Ashok agrees to pay to secure their release and protect them.

    When:During kidnapping Where:Harish's hideout

  9. 9

    Revelation: Bikram is Ashok

    During the ransom crisis, Deepa learns that Bikram Singh is actually Ashok. This revelation ties his past to the present crisis and intensifies the stakes.

    When:During kidnapping Where:Ransom site

  10. 10

    Confrontation, rescue, and rooftop danger

    A fierce fight breaks out between Harish's goons and Bikram Singh. Prem Prakash saves Ashok from the goons, and Shankar is rescued from the roof by Ashok.

    When:During kidnapping Where:City/Harish's hideout

  11. 11

    Harish captured by the authorities

    The police arrive at the scene and arrest Harish, bringing a measure of justice to the chaotic situation.

    When:Immediately after incident Where:Scene of kidnapping

  12. 12

    High Court verdict against Harish and allies

    The high court punishes Harish and his goons for their crimes, delivering a decisive legal conclusion to the ordeal.

    When:After incident Where:High Court

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Jeevan Mrityu?

7 characters, among them Ashok Tandon (Dharmendra), Deepa (Rakhee Gulzar) and Harishchandra Shroff 'Harish' (Ajit Khan): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.

  • AT

    Ashok Tandon (Dharmendra)

    Played by Dharmendra

    A principled bank manager who is framed for theft and imprisoned. After his release, he discovers his mother has died and Deepa has married and relocated. He adopts a new identity as Bikram Singh to uncover the conspiracy and seek vengeance, while staying true to his core ethics.

    • 💼 Bank manager
    • 🧭 Identity
    • 🏛️ Justice-seeker
  • D(

    Deepa (Rakhee Gulzar)

    Played by Rakhee Gulzar

    Ashok's childhood friend and former lover who agrees to look after his mother during his imprisonment. She later marries and relocates, and eventually learns that Bikram Singh is really Ashok. Her loyalty is tested as past and present collide.

    • 💞 Love
    • 🧭 Loyalty
    • 🗝️ Secret
  • HS

    Harishchandra Shroff 'Harish' (Ajit Khan)

    Played by Ajit Khan

    A cunning antagonist who orchestrates Deepa's kidnapping and extortion. He embodies the corrupt underworld and colludes with bank colleagues to frame Ashok. His schemes unravel as the law closes in on him.

    • 🗡️ Villain
    • 👊 Rivalry
    • 🧠 Manipulator
  • RR

    Raja Ranvir Singh (Bipin Gupta)

    Played by Bipin Gupta

    Ashok's ally who offers him a new identity and a job after his release. He serves as a pivotal supporter, enabling Ashok to re-enter society and pursue his mission.

    • 🤝 Ally
    • 🌟 Benefactor
    • 🧭 Path to redemption
  • BP

    Barrister P. Amarnath (Ramesh Deo)

    Played by Ramesh Deo

    A barrister involved in Ashok's legal struggle; he helps navigate the courtroom process and the fight to expose the bank’s conspiracy.

    • ⚖️ Legal expert
    • 📜 Courtroom drama
    • 🕯️ Justice
  • DF

    Deepa's father (Gajanan Jagirdar)

    Played by Gajanan Jagirdar

    A protective family figure whose presence grounds the personal stakes of the story as events unfold around Deepa and Ashok.

    • 👨‍👧 Father figure
    • 🛡️ Protector
  • J(

    Judge (Murad)

    Played by Murad

    A judicial authority who oversees the case and contributes to the final punishment of Harish and his goons.

    • ⚖️ Judge
    • 🧑‍⚖️ Authority
Setting

Where and When Is Jeevan Mrityu Set?

Jeevan Mrityu is set in India. Here is why the place matters to the story.

Where

India

Urban India serves as the backdrop, with key scenes unfolding around a bank, the courts, and the city’s underworld. The setting highlights the clash between integrity and corruption, shaping the protagonist’s struggle. It reflects societal and institutional pressures that drive the characters’ choices.

  • 🇮🇳 Indian setting
  • 🕵️ Crime drama
Themes

What Are the Themes of Jeevan Mrityu?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Revenge, Dual Identity and Law & Justice.

  1. 01

    Revenge

    Ashok is betrayed and framed, and the drive to avenge those who wronged him becomes the engine of the plot. His return under a forged identity intensifies the conflict between personal loyalty and a desire for justice. The theme probes how vengeance reshapes relationships and morality.

  2. 02

    Dual Identity

    Ashok adopts Bikram Singh to survive and pursue his goals, blurring the line between his past self and the new persona. The disguise complicates trust, including with Deepa, who must reassess her feelings. The reveal of Bikram’s true origin marks a pivotal shift in the story.

  3. 03

    Law & Justice

    The narrative culminates in legal proceedings where the system is tested by deceit and crime. Barrister Amarnath and the judge symbolize the pursuit of truth, leading to the punishment of Harish and his accomplices. The film frames justice as a counterweight to corruption.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Jeevan Mrityu?

Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.

Tone
Tense
Pacing
Fast
Story
Moderate
Intensity
High
Ending
Happy

A tense and emotionally heavy crime drama that follows a man's relentless quest for vengeance after his life is destroyed by betrayal, culminating in a fast-paced and violent confrontation.

  • vengeful
  • tense
  • melancholic
  • desperate
  • triumphant
  • grim
  • unjust incarceration
  • revenge
  • betrayal
  • false identity

Content notes: unjust imprisonment, death of a parent, kidnapping, fights.

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FAQ

Jeevan Mrityu Plot Questions

5 quick answers about Jeevan Mrityu, taken from the plot summary, character guide and setting on this page and the film’s credits.

What is Jeevan Mrityu about?

In a world where integrity is both a virtue and a vulnerability, Ashok Tandon stands as a pillar of honesty. A dedicated bank manager with a spotless reputation, he has meticulously built a life that promises stability and joy.

Read the full plot summary

When and where does Jeevan Mrityu take place?

Jeevan Mrityu is set in India. Urban India serves as the backdrop, with key scenes unfolding around a bank, the courts, and the city’s underworld. The setting highlights the clash between integrity and corruption, shaping the protagonist’s struggle.

The setting explained

Who are the main characters in Jeevan Mrityu?

The story follows Ashok Tandon (Dharmendra) (played by Dharmendra), Deepa (Rakhee Gulzar) (played by Rakhee Gulzar), Harishchandra Shroff 'Harish' (Ajit Khan) (played by Ajit Khan) and Raja Ranvir Singh (Bipin Gupta) (played by Bipin Gupta); the character guide covers 7 characters in all.

All the characters

What are the main themes of Jeevan Mrityu?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Revenge, Dual Identity and Law & Justice.

The themes explained

Who directed Jeevan Mrityu?

Jeevan Mrityu (1970) was directed by Satyen Bose and runs 2 hours 38 minutes.

Satyen Bose’s films

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