Bhabhi (2002)

The newly-married Saroj, her face hidden beneath her ghunghat, sets out with her husband, Dr Prakash, to his place. Accompanying her is her sole blood relation - her elder brother. An unfortunate accident with another vehicle carrying a marriage party renders her unconscious. Hours later, as she recuperates in the warmth of her husband's home she realizes that the man she is with is not her husband. There is no trace of her Dr Prakash and her brother. Saroj learns that the family she has come to - including her "husband" - have never met their bride face to face. She is mistaken for a girl called Pushpa - the girl that everyone thinks Tilak has married. When Saroj reveals her identity to Tilak, he is aghast. He realizes that at the accident site, having never seen his Pushpa's face, he brought the wrong bride home. As the two decide to reveal the case of mistaken identity, a crisis arises. Unable to accept the death of her husband in the accident, Tilak's mother falls ill. Tilak pleads with Saroj not to tell his family right away that she is not his bride. Saroj is forced to assume the mantle of the daughter-in-law and give solace to Tilak's mother. She manages to save her life, but is devastated at her loss. The adulation, love and total acceptance from each member of the family numbs her so completely, that she decides, for the moment, to accept her position as "Pushpa bhabhi. Both Saroj and Tilak know they are treading a dangerous path, but are helpless in the face of circumstances. She plays her role to perfection, because of her innate sense of goodness. Inwardly, though, she is devastated about the separation from her real husband and brother. But how long can a relationship based on pretense last? What will happen when the real Pushpa surfaces? Can a man and a woman continue to live in one room, posing as husband and wife, even though they are total strangers? Will Dr Prakash accept Saroj if he reappears? Or will she and Tilak pay the price for the sacrifice they make for their family?