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Last edited March 3, 2026

About: the 1978 Hindi film

For other uses, see Za Gaman.

the Japanese term


Gaman
File:Poster Gaman 1978.jpg


Theatrical release poster

Directed by Muzaffar Ali
Written by Hriday Lani
Produced by Muzaffar Ali
Starring Farooq Shaikh
Smita Patil
Gita Siddharth
Cinematography Nadeem Khan
Edited by Jethu Mundul
Music by Jaidev
Shahryar





Country India
Language Hindi
Urdu



Gaman 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 highlights the alienation and broken dreams of the migrant community.[6][7] Ghazal singer Hariharan made his playback singing debut with the film.[8]

Plot

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 Template:INR 500. Lalulal arranges some money for him but advises him to send money by money order instead of going to his hometown.

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

Soundtrack

Template:Track listing

Awards and nominations

Template:Awards table |- | 1979 | Muzaffar Ali | National Film Award – Special Mention (feature film) | Template:Won |- | 1979 | Chhaya Ganguly (for Aap ki Yaad Aati Rahi) | National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer | Template:Won |- | 1979 | Jaidev | National Film Award for Best Music Direction | Template:Won |}

References

  1. Mother Maiden Mistress{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. HarperCollins Publishers(17 April 2012). ISBN 978-93-5029-485-7
  2. Mumbai Fables{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Princeton University Press(2010). 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. Directorate of Film Festivals.
  6. A song for every mood(7 September 2013). Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  7. Routledge Handbook of Indian Cinemas{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Routledge(17 April 2013). ISBN 978-1-136-77284-9
  8. I love to sing(5 February 2005). Retrieved 5 October 2013.

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