Souten - The Other Woman

Twenty-one years ago, Saawan Kumar Tak made Souten with Rajesh Khanna, Tina Munim and Padmini Kolhapure.

Today his nephew, Navin Kumar Tak is making Souten again.

This one has been directed by Karan Razdan (who made Girlfriend) and has Kolhapure again.

But instead of playing “the other woman” or souten, Kolhapure is the sutradhar or protagonist in the film. Razdan’s film titled, Souten - The Other Woman also has Mahima Choudhary and one male (Vikram) and female newcomer.

If Saawan Kumar’s Souten (1983) had an extramarital affair (between Khanna and Kolhapure, Razdan’s Souten is bolder in its storyline.

“Today’s Hindi films are very predictable. If you have to entertain the audience you have to give them something shocking or different.

Souten is about a boy (Vikram) who is seduced by the mother and loved by her daughter,” says Razdan. “Mahima is the girl’s stepmother whose is married to Gulshan Grover. Mahima sees her stepdaughter’s boyfriend, gets attracted to him and decides to seduce him.”

So what’s Kolhapure doing in the film? Producer Navin Kumar Tak says, “Padmini liked the role so much she said she didn’t want money for doing the film.”

Razdan says, “She is the protagonist or sutradhar. She plays the boy’s bhabhi and is the keeper of morality in the film who tries to put the story back on the moral track.”

Another interesting role to look forward to watching will be that of Shakti Kapoor, says the director. “He doesn’t play a villain in the film.

On the contrary he plays Padmini’s husband, a jovial, suave, sophisticated person who is always reciting shers and shayaris.

He’s like a Shakespearean character whose relevance will be realised in the end.” In real life Kapoor is married to Kolhapure’s sister, Shivangi.

Tak adds, “I have taken the title from my uncle. Souten has lots of bold scenes. There has to be as Mahima is physically attracted to the boy and they share an intimacy while the boy and girl are in love and couples share physical intimacies. Mahima becomes the souten of her daughter.. hence the title.”