Beti No. 1 (NR)

synopsis

Our story begins in the wealthy household of Aruna Irani, which she dominates, her husband, and three sons Ashok Saraf, Laxmikant Berde, and Govinda - the youngest. Ashok and Laxmikant are married and both fathers to girls. This causes Aruna much worry as to who will continue the family lineage and out of resentment sends both her daughters-in-law back to their parent's home. Her last hope - her son Govinda is convinced into marrying Rambha - have the unwanted burden of bearing a son. In this household Aruna's dominance is total; even her own husband Prem Chopra submits to Aruna's every whim and fancy. Coincidentally Govinda and his friend Johny Lever, a detective, are both expectant fathers around the same time, and their respective wives are admitted into the same maternity ward at a hospital. Meanwhile Aruna, who suffers a heart attack, is also admitted to the same hospital. Johnny is the first one to become proud father of a baby boy, whom he rushes over to Govinda. While Govinda is playing with the new born, Prem enters and assumes the boy to be of Govinda, and rushes to his wife announcing the good news. Aruna is overjoyed, and is soon on the road to perfect health. Here is the dilemma, Govinda too has fathered a girl, just as his brothers, but cannot disclose the truth to his family. Johny, father of the boy cannot claim his own son in order to avoid Aruna's wrath, and the fear of her health being in danger again. How much longer before the truth is out, and the friends have to stop swapping their babies to keep one woman's false hopes up, forms the crux of this heart-warming film.