Chhaya

After her husband's death, Manorama is left alone with an infant daughter. The daughter falls ill due to poor nutrition, and in an act of desperation Manorama leaves the daughter in front of the house of Seth Jagatnarayan Chaudhary, a wealthy man who, having recently lost his wife, decides to adopt the girl. The following day, Manorama manages to get a job in the house as a servant but while she gets to care for Sarita like a mother, she longs for a day when her daughter might call her mom. Meanwhile Sarita grows up to be a beautiful girl who soon finds herself in some romantic entanglements.

Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Chhaya leans on a strong ensemble — Sunil Dutt, Asha Parekh, Nirupa Roy — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about romance titles of 1961.