Ujala (1959)

In the bustling heart of Bombay, Ramu grapples with a harsh existence in the impoverished neighborhood of Parel. He shares his humble dwelling, a bare-bones Chawl, with his widowed mother, his sister Sandhya, and three younger siblings, eking out a living through the humble means of a wooden pushcart. Their life takes a tragic turn when Munni, one of the youngest, is struck by a car, landing in the hospital only to lose her fight for life. With no means to afford wood for her cremation, Ramu makes the heart-wrenching decision to use his pushcart. In the aftermath of this loss, desperate for money to feed his family and secure Sandhya's engagement, Ramu finds himself entangled with Kalu, a notorious gangster from Chembur. His days are filled with the risky business of pickpocketing until a violent confrontation with Chandu, a fellow associate, leaves the latter dead. Racked with guilt, Ramu abandons his life of crime, turning instead to a modest job sharpening knives. But peace eludes him as the shadow of Chandu's death looms large. The arrival of the police investigating the murder only deepens his troubles. Moreover, the mysterious disappearance of a silver knife thrusts him under a dark cloud of suspicion. Ramu’s fight for survival in a world that continually tests his resolve forms the heart of 'Ujala' (1959), a stirring tale of loss, guilt, and redemption.

Ujala is a crime movie featuring Mala Sinha and directed by Naresh Saigal.

Ujala is currently streaming on Netflix.