Gaman

Gaman
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMuzaffar Ali
Written byHriday Lani
Produced byMuzaffar Ali
StarringFarooq Shaikh
Smita Patil
Gita Siddharth
CinematographyNadeem Khan
Edited byJethu Mundul
Music byJaidev
Shahryar, Makhdoom Mohiuddin(lyrics)
Distributed byIntegrated Films
Release date
  • 1978 (1978) (India)
Running time
135 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguagesHindi
Urdu

Gaman (Hindi: गमन, English: Departure) is a Hindi film released in 1978, starring Farooq Sheikh and Smita Patil in the lead roles and introducing Nana Patekar in a supporting role. It is the directorial debut of Muzaffar Ali, who went on to make Umrao Jaan (1981). The film deals with the issue of the futility of urban migration, using the story of a migrant from Uttar Pradesh to Mumbai, who tries to find a foothold in his new life as a taxi driver.[1][2][3]

The film's music was by Jaidev, who won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction in 1979 for his work,[4] and for the Song "Aap ki Yaad Aati Rahi", Chhaya Ganguly won a National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer.[5] Shahryar wrote songs for the film, most notably "Seene Mein Jalan, Aankhon Mein Toofaan", sung by Suresh Wadkar, which highlighted the alienation and broken dreams of the migrant community.[6][7] Ghazal singer Hariharan made his playback singing debut with the film.[8]

Plot

[edit]

In order to improve their lifestyle, Ghulam Hasan (Farooq Shaikh), who hails from Kotwara,Kheri, a town in Uttar Pradesh, decides to relocate to Bombay, on the insistence of his close friend Lalulal Tiwari (Jalal Agha). He leaves behind his ailing mother and wife (Smita Patil). Lalulal helps him get a job cleaning taxis. Ghulam subsequently learns how to drive, and is hired to drive a taxi. In spite of his best efforts, he is unable to save enough money to visit Kotwara and his family.

Lalulal has problems of his own, in spite of being settled in Bombay for several years. Having a sweetheart, Yashodra (Gita Siddharth), he is unable to even rent a decent apartment, and lives in a shanty tenement, which is slated to be demolished by the Bombay Municipal Corporation. Ghulam receives a letter from his wife and learns that his mother's health has deteriorated. Ghulam is in need of about 500 rs. Lalulal arranges some money for him but advises him to send money by money order instead of going to home in person.

Ultimately, Lalulal and Yashodara are murdered by the latter's family, as the family wants Yashodara to go to Dubai for work to support them instead of marrying Lalulal. This incident is a big blow to Ghulam and he decides to return to Kotwara, but procrastination prevents him from doing so. Closing shots show him driving his taxi in the city of dreams.

Cast

[edit]

Soundtrack

[edit]

All music is composed by Jaidev

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Aap ki Yaad Aati Rahi"Chhaya Ganguly 
2."Seene Mein Jalan, Aankhon Mein Toofaan"Suresh Wadkar 
3."Ajeeb Saneha Mujhpar Guzar Gaya"Hariharan 
4."Ras ke Bhare Tore Nain"Hira Devi Mishra 
5."Nausha amiron ka"Hira Devi Mishra 

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
1979 Muzaffar Ali National Film Award – Special Mention (feature film) Won
1979 Chhaya Ganguli (for Aap ki Yaad Aati Rahi) National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer Won
1979 Jaidev National Film Award for Best Music Direction Won

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Bhawana Sommya / Jigna Kothari / Supriya Madangarli (17 April 2012). Mother Maiden Mistress. HarperCollins Publishers. p. 1973. ISBN 978-93-5029-485-7.
  2. ^ Gyan Prakash (2010). Mumbai Fables. Princeton University Press. p. 332. ISBN 978-0-691-14284-5.
  3. ^ "Meet the frownies". Livemint. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  4. ^ Awards IMDb.
  5. ^ "26th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals.
  6. ^ "A song for every mood". Hindustan Times. 7 September 2013. Archived from the original on 10 October 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  7. ^ K. Moti Gokulsing; Wimal Dissanayake (17 April 2013). Routledge Handbook of Indian Cinemas. Routledge. p. 254. ISBN 978-1-136-77284-9.
  8. ^ "I love to sing". The Hindu. 5 February 2005. Archived from the original on 14 April 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
[edit]