Gaman

Just finished watching this awesome movie. Mind is still numb and some of the scenes are still clobbering the consciousness. A very dark, though provoking, intense and realistic film which one should not miss if you like movies which are near to life. A gem from Muzzafar Ali. Acting is top class and music/songs are divine. Songs such as Seene mein jalan by Suresh Wadkar and Aap ki yaad by Chhaya Ganguli are simply out of this world.

Smita Patil once again gives a performance which will stay with you forever. There are hardly any lines for her, but she conveys the message just by her eyes. Farooq Shaikh also very convincing as a taxi driver who is trying hard to meet the ends but is not able to. You can see his frustration and anger but also his helplessness. Commendable performances by Jalal Agha and Gita Siddharth which are also in tune with the mood of the film. Must watch. 9/10

You will not be disappointed. It is slow at times and mostly deals with life of people in Bombay. however it is worth a watch cause it is very sincerely made. The gazal "Sine me jalan Aakho me Tufan sa Kyo Hai" says it all. All the actors have given good performances and direction is great . Also watch "Umrao Jaan" by the same director.

Ghulam Hussin(Farooq Shaikh) is unemployed and in search of work is relocated to Bombay from Lucknow. His mother and wife Khairun(Smita Patil) stays behind. Ghulam's friend Lalulal(Jalal Agha) gets him a job of cleaning taxis, and he then learns to drive taxi.

Despite his effort he is not able to save enough money. Even his friend Lalulal has not saved enough money. It's a classic portayal of a man's struggle for survival. There are couple of short monolouges whiich actually reflects Ghulam's emotion and his effort.

Farooq Shaikh is a genius playing such type of role where his expression and eyes tells rather than the dialouges. He is simply marvellous here. Smita Patil is unbelivable. She has a limited appearance but conveys so much with her eyes.

As the name suggest, Gaman means migration can be a story of anyone not only Ghulam Hussain. Many scene of the movie will make you feel numb, eyes moist and lump in throat. The last scene in particular left a heavy impact on me.

The movie could not have been made more realistic. The portayl of life and every charaters are such real.

How ironic the movie at a time when immigrants are going back to their villages - not sure they'd reach or...

A movie that moves you. The music deepens the impact. Farooque and Smita were Godsend. Wish Muzaffar Ali has made more than the three films he did.

It's the story of all of us. We can't go back to where we know it's better.

After Bimal Roy's "Do Bigha Zamin (1953)" which was shot in Kolkata/Calcutta, this film shot in Bombay/Mumbai is the finest Indian Neo-realism genre film after decades. The film was Palme d'or Winner material for sure or at least an Oscar Nomination.

I've always liked Farooq Shaikh as a great actor for underdog characters like this one. Plus Smita Patil who has played a perfect supporting role of miserable conditioned woman.

The film shows the harsh and true realities of late 1970s Bombay, way before Mira Nair's Salaam Bombay! (1988) which also stars Nana Patekar.

Don't know why the audience don't appreciate such films even in today's era when human has become more conscious about sufferings faced by poor people...how Ironic!