Ishti Kutum

Baha, a tribal girl is forced to marry Archi when they spend a night in the hut during heavy rains. On reaching the city, she gets to know that her husband is already engaged to his girlfriend Kamalika, who also happens to be Baha's elder sister. What happens when three of them stay under one roof?

The story revolves around the life of an 18 year old tribal love-child Bahamoni Soren from a secluded region called Palashboni in rural West Bengal. Bahamoni (Baha), who had just completed her 10th standard upon scoring star marks and wants to attend college, is brought up by her mother Konkamoni (Konka) and stepfather Satyakam who is also a tribal activist and leader. Baha and her mother Konka had to face a lot of humiliation from her grandmother, who always yelled at her and Konka. Konka and Dibyo recalled their past when Dibyo came to Polashboni 20 years ago and married Konka in a temple, but due to unexpected circumstances, he had to leave away Konka. A famous journalist from the city of Kolkata, Archisman Mukherjee, visits Palashboni to interview Satyakam. Baha and Archi cross paths when Baha brings food and when the food falls down. One stormy night Baha was forced to spend the night in the Tourist Lodge in Archi's room. The next morning, the villagers decided to kill Archi, but Baha stopped it. Archi was in a difficult situation and to save his life, he was forced to marry Baha. Archi was having a tough time, thinking that how he will go to his family. On that day, Baha goes to a washroom of a local dhaba to clean away the vermillion from her forehead and opened her shakha pola and all the marriage signs from herself. 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 Majumdar, a painter, who 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 Sanjhbati, 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. After a long time, Baha returns in a new look. 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. Elsewhere, Mithai later marries Dibakar.

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.[4]

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