Great Movies which one might have skipped

Below mentioned are two brilliant pieces of cinema which one might have skipped. The connecting link between these two master pieces is their brilliant story and dialogues. These two movies highlight what a great team of writers can achieve, a phenomenon which is lately strangely missing in Hindi Film Industry. Ismat Chughtai, one of the finest Urdu writer of last century, is story writer of Garam Hawa and dialogue writer of Junoon. She lived her life in midst controversy. Some people labeled her obscene and after the publication of her story ‘Lihaf’ in 1942 (which had lesbianism theme); she was even trialled at Lahore court. For me she was a brilliant writer who portrayed middle class society and its concerns with vivid and masterful realism. She was brave, passionate and committed to truth. These two movies also had contributions of other Ace writer like Satyadev Dubey, Kaifi Azmi and Ruskin Bond. These movies are also reminder of what’s missing in contemporary cinema, why does it appear so shallow and soul less. I think after watching these two movies you’ll find your answer …

Garam Hawa (1973) - Based on an unpublished story by famous Urdu writer Ismat Chugtai, is one of the few movies dealing with state of Muslims who stayed back in India post partition. This film captures the struggle and anguish of the Muslim people who found themselves in strange situation where they in their own country were treated as outsiders. Salim Mirza, played brilliantly by Balraj Sahani, is one such Muslim who stays back in India. He with his family has to fight to find their identity and respect in this new country with changed realities. He can only watch as his world is slowly ripped by tragic aftermath of partition. Sikandar, played by Farooq Shaikh, is Salim Mirza's unemployed son who is often on his face told that he might have a better chance in Pakistan. The fabulous story, great performances (especially of Balraj Sahani) and the sensitivity of the content makes it a must watch. Garam Hawa was initially banned but eventually it won a national award for national integration and was even screened in Pakistan.


Complete Film :-

Junoon (1978) : - Adapted from Ruskin Bond's novel, Flight of the Pigeons, is a story about a Pathan, Javed Khan (played by Shashi Kapoor), who is an imposing, proud man rendered feeble by his obsession. The movie is set in the 1857 mutiny where amidst all the bloodshed and atrocities, the only thing Javed Khan can think of is Ruth Labadoor, played by Nafisa Ali(although he is married to Firdaus, played by Shabana Azmi). It shows the tussle between Javed’s obsession and pride. On one hand he wants Ruth but on another his nobility doesn’t allows him to use force. Ruth’s mother Miriam is unrelenting, eventually; the two strike a peculiar, yet greatly symbolic bargain “Dilli apki toh Ruth bhi aapki”. Director Shyam Benegal, assisted by ace co-writers (dialogue by Satyadev Dubey and Ismat Chugtai), created overwhelmingly powerful film. Junoon is a beautiful, sad and compelling film.

Complete film :-