Beta (1992)

In the heart-rending tale of Beta, we delve into the life of Raju, an only child of a wealthy widower. After the untimely passing of his mother, Raju yearns for a maternal figure in his life. This longing prompts his father to remarry, bringing the enigmatic Laxmi into their lives. Laxmi, a cunning woman with a web of devious schemes, ensures her brother, Totara, and his wife, Menavati, share their home. All too soon, they successfully manipulate circumstances to have Raju's father declared mentally unstable and confined. As Raju matures, he remains blissfully unaware of his stepmother's intricate machinations. He transforms into a naïve, uneducated laborer, toiling away on his father's estate under Laxmi's watchful eye. His devotion to his duplicitous stepmother blinds him to her real intentions: to maintain her reign over Raju and his wealth by having him marry an illiterate girl. However, destiny takes an unexpected turn when Raju marries Saraswati, an educated and astute woman. Saraswati quickly uncovers the bitter truth behind Laxmi's façade of affection for Raju, realizing it's a ruse to seize control of Raju's fortune. When she dares to challenge Laxmi, she's met with scorn and humiliation, even from Raju himself. Now, Saraswati is left with a harrowing choice: to endure the potential abuse and fight for her husband's liberation, or to escape the toxic environment and begin anew. The film Beta artfully explores the dynamics of family, deceit, and the struggle for power, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats as they witness the unfolding saga of Raju's life.

Beta is a drama movie featuring Anil Kapoor.

Beta is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Xumo Play and Yupp TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video and Hoopla.