Ghulami

With the presence of actors like Naseer, Smita Patil, Omshiv Puri, and 1980s, looks like an art movie. It is a tale beautifully told by debut director Dutta. Dialogues are amazing. Combination of stalwarts like Laxmikant Pyarelal and Gulzar to make songs has made the songs immortal. Not just the songs, even the background music of Laxmikant Pyarelal is evidence enough why the duo is best after Shankar Jaikishan. Although all actors have given phenomenal performances but Dharmendra is at his best. The way he has delivered the OP Dutta dialogues puts him ahead of even Naseer. Mithun is a very good addition to the main story line. Most outstanding is Dharmendra. There is something in the movie for everybody...plut it is a clean movie that you can see with your whole extended family.

Any rating less than 10 will mean under assessment of Dharmendra, Smita Patil, Lata Mangeshkar, JP Dutta, Laxmikant Pyarelal, Gulzar and beautiful photography of massive Landscapes of Beautiful desert of Rajasthan.

After many years Dharmendra acted in a top class movie without his usual tom foolery. I have watched this movie 6-7 times and I don't tire watching it. The dialogues and emotions are heart rendering. The acting by each and every of the legendary cast were spot on. The social commentary of prejudice, injustice and discrimination that exists in our society is very bold and succinct. The songs are melodious with the evergreen "Zilhal-e-miskin" coming to memory. "Koi shaque nahin" what Mithun could do with a good script and great direction. "Thank you" to Kulbushan for one of his finest roles in his career. Smita Patel was very elegant both in looks and acting. Reena Roy and Anita Raaj were superb in their respective roles. To top it off the final scene was both poignant and symbolically perfect. Amitabh's narration in the end summed up the movie nicely. It's nearly 40 years since this movie was released but it is still relevant. I wished there were more movies of this caliber today.

"Ghulami" presents the clash between the peasants and the tyrannical landlords, a story-line that has been reprised much of the time and feels dated. It has gained a cult status as J.P. Dutta's directorial debut that brought a moribund genre to a spectacular level. Undoubtedly, it's a director's film. The use of camera and its lavish canvass just satiates the screen. The dialogues are fabulous with the famous "Koi shaque" and "Thank you" or the power pact narration of Amitabh Bachchan along the hit song "Zihale-E-Miskin."

Technically, the film sets a benchmark in the 80s; but there are certain flaws, which can't be overlooked. The performances from Dharmendra, Mithun, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda are notable; but the same doesn't hold for the heroines or the supporting cast. Besides, the editing is muddled; and the film goes for an inordinate length. Overall, it's a lavish and spectacular blockbuster which achieves a notable achievement in direction but lacks the nuances in the script.

Rating: 1 star out of 4

Excellent movie by debutant director, JP Dutta, excellent direction, great music, superb dialogues, social relevant movie excellent performances by All Actors.

Postives -

Performances

Direction

Social Relevant

Negative -

Screenplay

Loopholes.

The film marked the debut of one the greatest film directors in Bollywood, JP Dutta.

It deals with the inequality of land ceilings in rural India. It focuses on a young boy who grows up to rebel against the cruel land owners, who have been ripping of poor farmers. Dharmendra delivers his greatest performance, aided fabulous performances by the supporting cast.

Technically, the movie is great like all JP Dutta films. The score is haunting. The dialogues by OP Dutta is brilliant. The screenplay is as detailed as you can get.

A movie that should not be missed by any movie fan.