Ishti Kutum

The story revolves around the life of a tribal love-child Bahamoni Soren from a secluded region called Palashboni in rural West Bengal. Bahamoni (Baha) is brought up by her mother Konka and stepfather Satyakam who is also a tribal activist and leader.

A famous journalist from the city of Kolkata, Archisman Mukherjee, visits Palashboni to interview Satyakam. One stormy night Baha is forced to spend the night in the Tourist Lodge in Archi's room. Though both are innocent, the locals force Archisman to marry Baha. Archi, previously engaged to his girlfriend Kamalika in the city, refuses to recognise the ceremony and asks Baha to decide what she wants to do. Baha then comes to Kolkata with Archi as a maidservant. She begins to study in the city. Gradually, she becomes comfortable and happy in the city, living with the Mukherjee family, who also begin to love her cheerful ways.

Initially, Archi thinks of Baha as a nuisance. He continues his engagement to Kamalika Majumdar, a college professor, whose father Dibyojoti Majumder, also happens to be Baha's biological father. Archi slowly falls in love with Baha, realising he considers Kamalika merely a close friend. An unhappy Kamalika tries to commit suicide but eventually divorces Archi and arranges for his wedding to Baha. Archi and Baha are married in the eyes of the law.

Baha continues her studies and performs brilliantly. Kamalika's mother attempts to murder Baha out of rage, aware of the fact that her husband is Baha's father. Kamalika forces her father Dibyojoyti to accept Baha as his daughter. Dibyojoti regrets his past behavior and tries to build a relationship with Baha.

Meanwhile, Archi's elder brother, Dhritiman, returns home and is suffering from leukemia. He breaks off his engagement with Sanjbati, a singer, because of his illness. With Baha's help, Dhritiman and Sanjhbati resolve their differences and marry. Archi grows jealous of Baha's intimacy with Prakash, her friend and professor, but later realises she is innocent and becomes possessive of her.

Dhrubo Sen, a lawyer, falls in love with Kamalika. Kamalika takes his help in getting bail for Satyakam. Finding a good friend in Dhrubo, Kamalika agrees to marry him. But Dhrubo's first wife Rusha, who had run away and was missing for many years, suddenly returns. Kamalika attempts suicide again. She is saved by Archi but loses her mental balance temporarily. Baha and Archi try to fight for Rusha, unaware of her criminal connections. Rusha returns to Dhrubo and Kamalika leaves him becoming lonely. As a result, Dibyojyoti disowns Baha as his daughter. Later on, Baha travels abroad for higher studies.

Kamalika is pregnant with Dhruba's child but hides this from him. She meets Bikram who falls in love with her and accepts her unborn child. Meanwhile, Archi discovers that Bikram is his cousin brother. Kamalika finally decides to marry Bikram and gives birth to a son, Aasmaan. Rusha steals the baby who is rescued and returned to Kamalika by Bikram and Archi.

Baha unintentionally causes Archi's sister Nilu to miscarry. Archi threatens to divorce Baha. Kamalika sees Baha and her colleague on the street and informs Archi suspecting Baha is having an affair. An angry Baha threatens Kamalika with filing a case if she interferes between her and Archi. Archi reminds her of Kamalika's sacrifices and Archi and Baha end up separating with Baha moving away. Kamalika is diagnosed with a terminal disease. She goes to Palashboni and donates her money to build a hospital there. She dies in Archi's arms on her birthday and leaves her child in his care. Baha feels Archi will never forget Kamalika and leaves.

After a gap of 6 years they meet at a function and Archi talks about Kamalika's son who wants to see Baha. Baha decides to stay with him happily again and the serial ends.

Though Mohi was the first Hindi remake of the show, the story line has been taken again for the second time in the Hindi show Imlie in 2020 by Gul Khan.[5]

This show has been highly controversial, because of its poor and misleading content. This has also enraged the tribal community of West Bengal for hurting their sentiments and portraying tribal characters poorly. A lawsuit was filed by the tribal community in July 2014 in Kolkata High Court against the channel for portraying tribal women's characters in poor light as well as ridiculing their language and culture. Though the channel denied all charges, there was a huge uproar from the audience towards the themes of cheating women, and domestic violence, provocation of suicide etc. by the lead characters of Archi and Baha.[6]

• Ishti Kutum on Hotstar
• Ishti Kutum on STAR Jalsha

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