Bayalu Daari is a 1977 Carnatic language Sandalwood romantic film, based on the novel of the same name. It stars Ananth Nag in his debut role as Gopu, a YOLO playboy who joins the Indian Air Force to impress Chandra played by veteran South Indian actress Kalpana. However, the Indo-Pak war of 1971 breaks out and Gopu is deployed as a ground attack aircraft pilot. He has a tryst with Chandra before he deploys, even though they haven’t gotten married yet.
During the war, Gopu’s airplane is shot down. He ejects, but is shot and left for dead. Chandra moves on the best she can, undergoing the stigma of being an unwed mother in 1970s India. However, a chance encounter convinces her that Gopu May be alive. Chandra and her father spend a lot of effort trying to track “Gopu” down to determine why he abandoned her like that.
The answer may surprise them.
Tropes found here are
- An Arm and a Leg: Gopu’s legs were amputated after he ejected over enemy territory and got shot.
- Artistic License – Military: Gopu doesn’t wear a flight suit while operating a high performance jet aircraft. He wears a khaki uniform that an army helicopter pilot might wear.
- Daddy Had a Good Reason for Abandoning You: Deconstructed. Gopu doesn’t know he has a daughter, and the reason he abandoned her mother was largely due to shame over his legs being amputated.
- The Indo-Pakistan Conflict: Gopu fights in the ‘71 Bangladesh Liberation War.
- Heroic B So D / Safety in Indifference : Gopu suffers one big time due to him losing his legs and ultimately just stops giving a shit about anything, including Chandra’s dad’s wrath.
- Hellish Copter: Averted. Although Gopu becomes a helicopter pilot initially, and even flies them during two songs, he suffers his defining injury while bailing out of a jet aircraft.
- Someone to Remember Him By: Chandra has Gopu’s daughter. Ultimately, he comes back into their lives.
