Focusing on the exploitative feudal system and (still prevalent) caste discrimination in the rural regions of the country, GHULAMI is an action-packed powerful film released in 1985 when Hindi mainstream Cinema was mostly churning out meaningless action films featuring all the leading stars of those times. However GHULAMI successfully managed to rise above them all due to its exceptional direction, sensitive writing, cult dialogues, melodious music, deep lyrics and memorable strong performances from the entire cast including the lead as well as the important supporting actors.
Being the directorial debut of J. P. Dutta with explosive dialogues by his father O. P. Dutta, GHULAMI has an impactful premise and many intense, potent sequences coming at regular interval in its lengthy duration of around 3 hours. Besides it has a famous cult track “Zihale Miskin” along with “Mere Pee Ko Pawan Le Chali” written, composed, rendered and picturised beautifully.
Apart from its thought-provoking subject and execution, GHULAMI also excels in its cinematography presenting the incomparable charm and breath-taking locations of Rajashtan in a never-before kind of form on the silver screen.
Unarguably rated among the best works of its director, writers and performers too, GHULAMI deserves to be seen at the earliest if you haven’t experienced it yet (in its complete duration of around 3 hours). In fact such is the impact of the film’s strong onscreen personas, that Dharmendra is still remembered as Ranjeeta, Mithun still recalled with ‘Koi Shaque’ and Kulbhushan Kharbanda still fondly addressed with “Thank You” till date.
At the same time the sad truth is that even after decades of the film’s release, our country is still fighting with the same issues of caste divide, untouchability and exploitation of the upper class, even in the 21st century, probably in a more severe manner than ever before.
Directed By J. P. Dutta
Starring : Dharmendera, Mithun Chakraborty, Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil, Reena Roy, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and more.
Music : Laxmikant Pyarelal
Lyrics : Gulzar
(NOTE: For reading the detailed article on the experience of watching GHULAMI in the theaters at , please click at the following link:
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GHULAMI (1985) Review by Bobby Sing at bobbytalkscinema.com, Dharmendera as Rangeeta, Mithun Koi Shaque, Kulbhushan Kharbanda Thank You, J P Dutta's debut film Ghulami
