Garm Hava

I saw this movie many years ago...and although so many years have passed this movie still remains etched in my mind.It was MS Sathyu's debut film as director. But he has till date not made a better film. To say that Garam Hawa is one of the most poignant and moving films ever made on the Partition is merely stating the obvious. Directors like Ritwick Ghatak had also earlier dealt with the Partition of Bengal. But Garam Hawa, made in 1973, marked the first time that a Hindi film director had handled the subject with so much sensitivity and realism.

I went to the market to purchase a DVD copy. But alas!!..It was not available in the Indian market. It is such a sad situation that being a Indian movie it is not available in India!!!...if anyone who reads this and has any knowledge as to the address where i can buy a copy IN India please email me at the foll address vinamra88@yahoo.com.I shall be ever grateful.

The film continues the thread throughout that post independence any Muslim who migrated to Pakistan had an easy, successful life. The subtle barbs are unmissable when they show that anyone moving out of the country with contempt are proven right, and even those who reluctantly moved, did well after settling in Pakistan ( got scholarship to Canada, and lots of orders from the army etc). And those staying back lose their homes, businesses, even their children are jobless and get cheated and commit suicide. Whate is the intent of such a film than misguiding the Muslim youth our countrymen to feel a regret, and as if a missed opportunity. To feel alienated and having to fight for an equal treatment. The film ends in that note to complete its tale of woe. A completely wrong message and to hail such films as landmark and must-watch is to only rub salt on the wounds of those who want our countrymen to feel wronged and disloyal. The film itself has great performances, good editing and direction, hence I rate it a 6 on IMDB.

Garam Hawa Directed By M.S.Sathyu...First Movie As A Director ..The Direction Is Flawless..Written By Kaifi Azmi & Shama Zaidi....They Have Done Extremely Well ...The Story is About Struggle Of A Muslim Family After The Partition Of India Pakistan in 1947....Deals With The Dilemma Of Whether To Move To Pakistan Or Stay Back....How The Family Face The Problems Of Being A Muslim In Their Own Country..A Tragic Love Story Also Takes Place In The Middle Of These Events...Finally How They Face Such Situations & Overcome....

Balraj Sahni As Salim Mirza is One Of The Memorable Performance By Him...Geeta Sidharth As Amina Daughter Of Salim Mirza ...Gives A Excellent Performance...Her Character Of A Lover Is One Of The Complicated Characters...Then We Have A Very Young Farooq Shaikh As Sikander Mirza....His Debut Film...He Has Done Well...The Others Badar Begum As Granny....A.K Hungal As Azmani & Jalal Agha As Shamshad Are Well Written Characters...

Music Is Not Important In This Movie...But Still Have A Single Song i.e "Maula Salim Chisti" A Qawwali By Aziz Ahmed Khan...

Overall A Great Attempt To Show Effects Of Partition On People In India...There Are Few Memorable Scenes In The Movie Which Makes It Worth Watch ...A Kind Of Art Film....A Must Watch...:)

The partition not only affected those who were displaced but also those who decided to stay back. And the minorities who decided to stay back amongst the majorities found themselves in a strange situation; suddenly they were outsiders in their own country and people viewed them with suspicion. 'Garam Hawa' deals with such issues with great sensitivity and perhaps is one of the best movies ever made on post partition.

Salim Mirza, brilliantly played by Balraj Sahney, is one such Muslim who stays back in India. India is a new democracy and has its problems of poverty and unemployment and Salim Mirza and his family has to fight to find its identity and respect in the country they chose not to leave. Sikandar, played by Farooq Shaikh, is Salim Mirza's unemployed son who is often told on his face that he might have a better chance in Pakistan but like his father he is determined. The family suffers a great deal for its decision but doesn't give up. I am sure everyone who was present during those days can identify with something in this story.

The grandmother wanting to die in her ancestral home and her whole life flashing before her eyes before she dies is an unforgettable scene.

This film showcases great acting performances. Balraj Sahani, Geetha, and Shaukat Azmi play extremely complicated characters with great skill and poise. Of course a film like this would never be nominated for Oscars or any other major prize because it would be considered an off beat film. Nevertheless, the film portrays the political and cultural changes that affected innumerable common people right after the partition of India and Pakistan. I would definitely recommend this film to everyone. If you are looking for spontaneous acting that moves you and makes you want to revisit that historical era, this is the movie to go for!