Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore and Shashikala starred movie ‘Chhoti Bahu’ is a family drama movie which was directed by K.B. Tilak. The movie was released on 22nd May, 1971 under the banner of Delux Productions India. Other starcast included Nirupa Roy, I.S. Johar, Mehmood Jr., Tarun Bose, Shivraj, Satyendra Kapoor, Chandrima Bhaduri, Babbanlal Yadav, Sarika etc in important roles. The movie was produced by Seeroo Daryani and Darius Gotla. The screenplay and dialogues of the movie were written by Vishwamitter Adil whereas music of the movie was directed by very famous Kalyanji-Anandji. List of playback singers included Hemalata, Usha Khanna, Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi. Hit songs of the movie are listed below:

1. Koyal Bole Dali Se
2. Dulhaniyan Bata Teri
3. Kanhaiya Kisko Kahega Tu Maiya
4. Yeh Raat Hai Pyasi Pyasi
5. Ghar Ko Mat Gudam Banada
6. O Maa Meri Maa

The movie revolves around a female character whose name is Radha (Sharmila Tagore). She lives with her father who is a widower and he always remains in tension as his daughter Radha is now of a marriagable age. He also gives the full details of his daughter to a marriage broker named Avtar (Satyendra Kapoor) who not only a marriage broker, but also a ‘Vaidya’ (village doctor). One day Avtar comes to Shriram (Tarun Bose) and his wife named Sita (Nirupa Roy) and brings the proposal before them. He also gives a photograph of the girl to them so that they should have a look of the girl. Both of them approves Radha and then the photo is shown to Shriram’s younger brother named Dr. Madhu (Rajesh Khanna) who is stunned after seeing the beauty of the girl.

Madhu quickly gets agree for the marriage. Soon the day of marriage comes and the marriage is celebrated with great pomp and ceremony in the entire village. Madhu and his family members are very happy with this marriage but they do not know that the real problem is yet to come. It is then that the Shriram, Sita and Madhu find out that Radha has a serious illness and this fact is also known to Avtar who did not informed them about the bride. Madhu and Radha does not intimate on the first night of marriage due to this illness. The only cure of this problem is that she must has a child of her own.