Plot

Suhaagan is a story about two sisters Janaki and Jyoti who live with their parents. Ramu lives in the same village and makes a living by farming. Ramu loves Janaki but Janaki is not interested in Ramu as she is more attracted to Murli who is wealthier than Ramu. Jamnadas prefers Ramu to become Janaki's husband as he thinks he is a good person and will not ask for big dowry. Janaki gets married to Ramu and that is when all the trouble starts. Janaki is not at all comfortable at Ramu's household because he cannot provide the comforts she is looking for. Things get even worse after the birth of their first child. Janaki leaves Ramu to live with Murli. Ramu eventually marries her younger sister Jyoti and Jyoti takes care of Janaki's daughter. But soon Janaki's repents her actions and wants to be with her husband and child again.—Soumitra

Suhagan literally means married woman, who in Hindu culture sports the various attributes such as a mangalasutra, vermillion on her forehead, henna on her hands and feet, wears colourful clothes, jewelry and represents the Goddess Lakshmi in the household. When a woman is widowed, she is not entitled to use any of these accouterments. Jagat Prasad (Pran) , is a landowner, who is ever willing to help his fellow villagers with money, even at the cost of diminishing his inherited wealth. He is a thought leader of the village, his integrity unquestionable. His two daughters Jyoti (Padmini Kohlapure) and Janaki (Sridevi) are of marriageable age. Ramu (Jeetendra) is a tenant farmer, who tills Jagat Prasad's land. A simple man uneducated, who reeks of being decent. He is in love. Jyoti is in love. Her sister Janaki is a girl who loves reading, and is also in love with a man called Murli, who is wealthy and educated. LeelaKrishna (Shakti Kapoor) provides comic relief in a villainous role of providing inimical advice. Masterji (Kader Khan} is the village school master, who continues to provide guidance even as the children grow up. The pivotal question is whether a woman should remain in an unhappy marriage? Why does a father perform Shrardha for a living child? What is the big deal for a woman to die with vermillion on her forehead and turmeric coated feet, accouterments of married woman?—MG Gopalan