The reformist sensibilities of many of Dutt’s early films are exemplified by B R Chopra’s Sadhana.

Dutt plays a professor whose ill mother wants him to get married. He hires a woman (Vyjayanthimala) to enact the part. Unknown to him, she is a prostitute. A subtly unfolding chain of events sees the gradual evolution of their characters. Dutt finally finds the courage, love and maturity to marry her.

Sadhana was one of the earliest films to show a happy ending to a prostitute’s love story.