Saudagar 1973

Moti, a renowned gur trader in Sultanganj

Moti is a famous gur trader in Sultanganj, dealing in seasonal gur made from Khajur. His success rests on a hard-won reputation for quality that draws buyers year after year. He operates at the heart of the gur trade, moving with the monsoon and the harvest.

Moti meets Phoolbanu and falls in love

During the off-season, Moti meets a girl named Phoolbanu and finds himself falling in love. The encounter sets the stage for a romance that will complicate his plans with money and mehar. He begins to picture a life beyond his gur business.

Phoolbanu's father demands mehar; Moti can't pay

Phoolbanu's father demands mehar, the bride price, which Moti does not have. Facing this obstacle, Moti starts to plot an easier route by marrying Majubee, a widow and business associate. The prospect shifts his focus from love to leverage.

Majubee, a widow, prepares gur and is introduced into the plan

Majubee, a widow who runs the gur operation with Moti, is introduced as the key to his plan. She prepares the gur that makes their business famous. Unaware of Moti's ulterior motive, she is surprised when he proposes marriage to her.

Moti proposes marriage to Majubee to avoid mehar

To avoid paying mehar, Moti proposes marrying Majubee so he can keep the money. Majubee is initially taken aback by the proposal but eventually accepts the arrangement. The plan seems to work as the gur season approaches.

End of season: Moti divorces Majubee after saving for mehar

At the end of the season, Moti saves enough for the mehar and divorces Majubee, claiming that she has illicit relations with her brother-in-law. Majubee is shocked and curses him as she leaves. The community is stirred by the betrayal.

Moti re-approaches Phoolbanu's father and marries Phoolbanu

Moti then returns to Phoolbanu's father, explains he has the mehar, and secures Phoolbanu's hand in marriage. He marries Phoolbanu, completing a second, more legitimate union. The move marks a sharper turn toward wealth and luxury.

Moti borrows and splurges; debt grows with Phoolbanu

Now married to Phoolbanu, Moti continues to use the money earned with Majubee and takes on more debt to finance a luxurious lifestyle. The rapid spending strains his finances and his new marriage tends to amplify his spending.

Nadeer, a fish trader, asks Majubee to marry him; Majubee leaves for another village

A fish trader named Nadeer asks Majubee to marry him, explaining he has small children to care for. Majubee considers his offer but ultimately decides to leave for another village, seeking a chance at stability elsewhere. Her departure unsettles Moti and hints at a future without her support.

Gur season arrives; Phoolbanu is poor at making gur

With Gur season arriving, Phoolbanu proves terrible at making gur, and Moti's customers begin to desert him. The decline threatens his finances and reputation. The crisis foreshadows a deeper reckoning.

Gur makes burnt; Moti beats Phoolbanu

Almost at the end of the gur season, Phoolbanu leaves to bathe and Moti returns to find the gur burnt. He beats Phoolbanu with a stick in a fit of anger. The incident strains their marriage and signals a fragile reconciliation with her father-in-law.

Father-in-law arrives for reconciliation; they reunite

Moti's outburst is followed by his father-in-law's arrival for reconciliation, and the couple begins living together again. The family tries to mend trust and continue the gur business. Yet tension remains beneath the surface.

Moti discovers no sap; Phoolbanu leaves for her father's home

One morning, while collecting sap, Moti realises there is no plant sap available. Phoolbanu asks where today's sap is, and Moti claims he left the work. Phoolbanu decides to return to her father's home.

Phoolbanu follows Moti; discovers he heads to Majubee's house

On the way, Phoolbanu sees Moti approaching with plant sap and realises he is heading somewhere else. She follows him and discovers he is going to Majubee's house. The sight triggers further heartbreak and questions about loyalty.