Story, Synopsis, Trivia, Dialogues for Kabuliwala (1961)

Kabuliwala is a 1961 Indian Bollywood social, musical film released on Jan 01, 1961. The film is directed by Hemen Gupta, produced by Bimal Roy under banner named Bimal Roy Productions, music composed by Salil Chowdhury.

A kabuliwala, a small trader in Kabul comes to Hindusthan to earn some money because his daughter is not keeping too well. He has taken some loan from his friend who is a Pathan. In Hindusthan he tries selling his wares on the streets. He befriends a little girl called Mini. Mini's parents are a little apprehensive of their daughter's friendship with the kabuliwala. But Mini becomes very fond of him and he dotes on her. She reminds him of the little daughter he has left behind in Kabul. He spoils her with dry fruits and nuts and the relationship strengthens. One day the kabuliwala is engaged in a brawl whereby he kills someone and is sent to jail for some years. When he is out if jail, he comes to meet Mini but Mini who is a grown up girl now is due to get married on the same day. This sight fills him with a deep nostalgia and he realises that it is probably time for his daughter also to get settled in life. He leaves the place with tears in his eyes and decides to return home.

Tagores stroy (pub. 1918) of the Pathan tribesman Rehman (Sahni) who journeys from Kabul to Calcutta seemed tailor-made for a naturalist acting challenge. It tells the tale of a seller of spices called Kabuliwala (the man from Kabul) in Calcutta who befreiends a little girl because she reminds him of his own daughter. After years in jail for murder, Rehman finds the girl has grown up and realises that his own daughter may have forgotten him as well. Guptas film, like Tapan Sinhas Bengali version (1956), depends mainly on star performances. Here, Sahnis colourful mannerisms contrast with the static camera, tableau-like shots and extensive dissolves intended to evoke geographic expanse and memory time. The music y Salil Choudhury includes numbers like Hemanta Mukherjees Ganga aaye kahan se and one of Manna Deys best-known songs. Ai mere pyare watan. The fake persian music with its copious mandolin effects is ratehr intrusive. [Source: Encl] Check out this page for more updates on Kabuliwala.