All those involved with this movie have done a service to Indian people, who are interested in history, partition, Hindu-Muslim relations etc. It does not matter whether this movie was declared hit, semi-hit or average, but it has left an incredible mark on one's psyche. It moves oneself to see those Muslim people who chose to stay behind in India, with their plight and dilemma. It definitely plays a big role to arouse sympathy and a soft corner for Muslim brethren who chose to stay in India, despite all the odds against them. All those associated with the story like Ismat Chugtai, Kaifi Azmi & Shama Zaidi have given an unbiased portrayal of that time. The story seemed to be too real. One loves to see the Muslim family in the movie sitting together and having their meals, where everybody participates in the discussion of the circumstances. Like the story, acting was natural all across the board, the only regret being, one expected some memorable songs, at least one or two, which were not there. Music is like dessert to an Asian mind, which adds to the lasting taste of the meal. With good music, this movie might have been declared a commercial hit too.
19 Reviews
Good movie about real issues.
agrawalmannu6 October 2005
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.
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.
A Masterpiece.......
bshljtbaruah8023 March 2012
All in all a genuine presentation of a sensitive social issue! right from the director upto the actors have done exceptional justice to characters and the plot. A must watch i'd like to say...in order to understand the sociological effect of the Partition in its true sense. in fact the difference of principles between the two characters - Halim and Salim Mirza reveals much about the contemporary ideological flow. Again a huge chunk of kudos goes to the director Mr. Sathyu for his superb plot treatment esp. the elements of humor (in the form of dialogues of granny which also acts as sarcastic material) that he has blended up with the overall sensitiveness of the plot talks about his strategic acumen!!
Sensational stuff by the talented M.S.Sathyu and evergreen Balraj Sahni.
anilkfan14 March 2003
The DVD cover of this film says "Most memorable movie of Balraj Sahni"...well guess what, not just the most memorable movie of Balraj Sahni...but probably one of the greatest of the great movies ever seen in in Indian film industry and a landmark performance in the history of Indian cinema.
The best movie on the India-Pak partition. The movie based in Agra deals with the social issues amongst other issues related to the partition and the repercussions of the partition on the society in general and looking at the problems within one family, both internal and external!
The features and expressions of Balraj Sahni and his portrayal of Salim Mirza is too good to be true! Words cant describe his performance! It is said that Dilip Kumar was first offered this role. Good support from Farooq S, AK Hangal, Gita Siddharth and many others!
Great Script by Kaifi Azmi and sensational stuff by the director M.S.Sathyu. Exceptionally realistic, hard hitting and a bonafide classic! 10 out of 10!
The best movie on the India-Pak partition. The movie based in Agra deals with the social issues amongst other issues related to the partition and the repercussions of the partition on the society in general and looking at the problems within one family, both internal and external!
The features and expressions of Balraj Sahni and his portrayal of Salim Mirza is too good to be true! Words cant describe his performance! It is said that Dilip Kumar was first offered this role. Good support from Farooq S, AK Hangal, Gita Siddharth and many others!
Great Script by Kaifi Azmi and sensational stuff by the director M.S.Sathyu. Exceptionally realistic, hard hitting and a bonafide classic! 10 out of 10!
Exceptional film set in 1947 and about the partition of India.
bsdasgup14 January 2002
This is an outstanding film and should be considered a landmark in Indian cinema. The subject matter is the 1947 partition of British India, into India and Pakistan. The story is about a Muslim family in Agra, and the central figure is that of Salim Mirza (Balraj Sahni in his memorable last role). The film deals with the state of Muslims in the Hindu India immediately after the partition, when the situation is full of anger and passion (hence the name Garam Hawa, meaning Hot Winds) resulting from people uprooted out of the political decision to divide the land based on religion. While his brother, sister and the older son decide to move on to Pakistan, Salim Mirza stays in India to live and fight for his rights as a citizen. Along with him is his younger son, who had just finished college at the time of the partition and he joins the activists demanding proper & just government of this new born democracy. The film is no doubt influenced by Satyajit Ray's work (and of De Sica) in use of actual locales, using many non-professional actors and staying away from the trade mark Hindi-film song and dance numbers. Balraj Sahni is the main stay and delivers a superb performance, although the supporting performances are equally wonderful. M.S. Sathyu as the director deserves to be remembered just on the basis on this single effort. Color cinematography is very good and the background of Taj Mahal in Agra and the old Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri has been well used. Music by Sarode maestro Ustad Bahadur Khan adds to the value of this production. This film, with English sub-titles, is now available on DVD in US and Canada. Definitely a must-see.
one of the best movies ever made
vinamra889 December 2006
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.
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.
Fabulous story, great performances (especially of Balraj Sahani) and the sensitivity of the content makes it a must watch ...
ankit-bit-7320 January 2012
Based on an unpublished story by famous Urdu writer Ismat Chugtai, is one of the few movies dealing with state of Muslims who stayed back in India post partition. This film captures the struggle and anguish of the Muslim people who found themselves in strange situation where they in their own country were treated as outsiders. Salim Mirza, played brilliantly by Balraj Sahney, is one such Muslim who stays back in India. He with his family has to fight to find their identity and respect in this new country with changed realities. He can only watch as his world is slowly ripped by tragic aftermath of partition. Sikandar, played by Farooq Shaikh, is Salim Mirza's unemployed son who is often on his face told that he might have a better chance in Pakistan. The fabulous story, great performances (especially of Balraj Sahani) and the sensitivity of the content makes it a must watch. Garam Hawa was initially banned but eventually it won a national award for national integration and was even screened in Pakistan.
Garm Hawa
nalcul224 May 2006
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!
Struggle Of A Muslim Family In India Post Partition
ravisinger8626 March 2014
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...:)
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...:)
Amazing movie!(minor spoilers)
hellisotherpeople6 May 2004
Warning: Spoilers
This movie HAS to be up there in the top 100 movies of ALL times.
Balraj Sahni owned this movie as Salim Mirza ,the patriarch of a Muslim family in agra during the turbulent era after partition. He epitomises the dilemma and struggles experienced by a whole generation of Muslim families in India at that time.Overall dialogs and screenplay are amazingly true to the era .The art direction is authentic to the times. The last scene where Farooq Shaikh who portrays Salim's college going son, gives up on the idea of migrating to Pakistan and instead joins a student march on the street gives me goosebumps.! As does the scene where his daughter ends her life in a gruesome fashion-heartwrenching scenes all.Another stand out scene is when Salim Mirza's decrepit old mother refuses to leave the haveli.
The soundtrack was awesome especially the qawaali at fatehpur sikri.
At the end of the day, this has to be Balraj Sahni's best work. HE was one of the most natural actors out there and in this movie he truly shines.
Recommend without reservations. Come prepared to bawl your eyes out though.
10/10
Balraj Sahni owned this movie as Salim Mirza ,the patriarch of a Muslim family in agra during the turbulent era after partition. He epitomises the dilemma and struggles experienced by a whole generation of Muslim families in India at that time.Overall dialogs and screenplay are amazingly true to the era .The art direction is authentic to the times. The last scene where Farooq Shaikh who portrays Salim's college going son, gives up on the idea of migrating to Pakistan and instead joins a student march on the street gives me goosebumps.! As does the scene where his daughter ends her life in a gruesome fashion-heartwrenching scenes all.Another stand out scene is when Salim Mirza's decrepit old mother refuses to leave the haveli.
The soundtrack was awesome especially the qawaali at fatehpur sikri.
At the end of the day, this has to be Balraj Sahni's best work. HE was one of the most natural actors out there and in this movie he truly shines.
Recommend without reservations. Come prepared to bawl your eyes out though.
10/10
A film created with the wrong intent and misguiding message
rtoac131 January 2019
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.
Old wounds
chetanmistry1316 November 2018
I don't remember any movie that took place in Post-Independence in India, breaks my heart n even fill it with proud at the same time. Very few films has kind of power...
At heart of the film, Balaraj Sahni's great performance as an honest Muslim middle class man, who own little shoemaker factory in Agra, trying resist people n politics's pressure that keep indicates him to flee Pakistan. In those hard times when the Indian government forced him to give up Ancestors home. Rejected by banks and Moneylenders for a loan, worst of all, accused of being spy. I was thinking how much time an honest man could stay in this intolerance political Environment?! Other actors done their job very well, it's felt like director set cameras around normal people's life.
One other thing I like about this Urdu movie that It's bittersweet Dialogues (Usually I dont care abt it much). Some satire lines r so funny n heart breaking at the same time.
The movie is great because there r many great moments, like When mother refused to go away so Salim lift her to leave the house. It's hard to watch how Salim's big family left him one by one and immigrate Pakistan!
_Garm hava_ possibly most thought provoking movie abt that era. I could think of a reason why this movie is so controversial n why it has a limited release! It is an important movie to remind us our mistakes! 45 years have passed yet it's topic is still relevant! Must watch 4 all Cinema goers!!
At heart of the film, Balaraj Sahni's great performance as an honest Muslim middle class man, who own little shoemaker factory in Agra, trying resist people n politics's pressure that keep indicates him to flee Pakistan. In those hard times when the Indian government forced him to give up Ancestors home. Rejected by banks and Moneylenders for a loan, worst of all, accused of being spy. I was thinking how much time an honest man could stay in this intolerance political Environment?! Other actors done their job very well, it's felt like director set cameras around normal people's life.
One other thing I like about this Urdu movie that It's bittersweet Dialogues (Usually I dont care abt it much). Some satire lines r so funny n heart breaking at the same time.
The movie is great because there r many great moments, like When mother refused to go away so Salim lift her to leave the house. It's hard to watch how Salim's big family left him one by one and immigrate Pakistan!
_Garm hava_ possibly most thought provoking movie abt that era. I could think of a reason why this movie is so controversial n why it has a limited release! It is an important movie to remind us our mistakes! 45 years have passed yet it's topic is still relevant! Must watch 4 all Cinema goers!!
Not Recommended 👎
TheNonSmoker25 July 2020
Garm Hawa - The land is divided, Lives are shattered
abbasihashim-4002725 September 2022
One of the best movies made on the most debated subject in South Asia - the Partition!. It portrays life of a Muslim family in post-partition India. The family elder fights the temptations to move out to the newly-formed country called 'Pakistan' and the family faces the challenges that come on their way. Most of the clues and warnings set out at the outset manifested themselves in the latter years and decades and still continue to haunt both sides of the border.
Balraj Sahni has carried it through. A. K. Hangal and Gita Siddharth (Kak) were superb. Farooq Shaikh can be seen in his early years of act.
The land is divided, Lives are shattered Storms rage in every heart; It's the same here or there Faith has lost all meaning; Here or there.
Balraj Sahni has carried it through. A. K. Hangal and Gita Siddharth (Kak) were superb. Farooq Shaikh can be seen in his early years of act.
The land is divided, Lives are shattered Storms rage in every heart; It's the same here or there Faith has lost all meaning; Here or there.
Heart touching
darademadan7 June 2020
Balraj Sahni steals the show.
singhraj-365237 June 2021
It is Balraj Sahni's greatest performance equally impactful as in 'Do Bigha Zameen' (1953), Balraj Sir followed Stanislavski's method acting and delivered that momentous and deeply profound scene, where her daughter dies somewhat the same way her real life daughter died, and the immense grief was one of the reasons for his hear attack after completing the dubbing of this movie. M. S. Sathyu regrets that decision too to include that scene in the movie which was originally not a part of it. But the brilliant star left his imprints here in his last movie and what a great work it is overall by each department of the movie. The realistic picturization of every event, the natural acting and depiction of the real life hidden evils inside normal human beings of ethnic, cultural and religious divide which needs to be filled. A sensitive movie with a social message of living in peace and harmony and teaching love and fraternity. Kudos to this piece of art!
The businessman who refuses to stay away from his 'motherland'.
saurabh_9718 September 2016
In Scorching Winds' (orginal title being 'Garm Hava') prologue, writer Kaifi Azmi narrates a couplet, which rather bestow's an implication, "..Nobody listens to Gita or Quran, shocked conscience was here as well as there."
Garm Hava is a sorrowful narrative. An experience which evokes pathos inside one's conscious. But, even after constant circumstances resulting in quite similar fates - one, like the most characters in the film - searches for little hope throughout - and I tend to incline that this is what makes this cinematic piece - rather complete.
Quality focus has been kept in costumes & set. Characters are mainly seen traveling in horse-driven carriages and usually donning traditional outfits - it being a period feature.
The shooting mostly is done on real locations, and it does seems that the production took wholly advantage of it's location - Agra, which has several heritage monuments, some being Hing's Mandi, Fatehpur Sikri, and of course - the Taj Mahal.
However, the film's slow pace sometimes gets between it's tight narrative. For instance, picturisation of song(s) looked overly-extended; could've been smaller in length - though the movie's music score is very nice, special mention to the song 'Maula Salim Chisti.'
Being Farooq Shaikh's debut feature - he looks fresh and promising as Sikandar. Other supporting casts too, provide apt support. This review would however, be incomplete without mentioning the legendary Balraj Sahni who, unarguably gave an excellent performance as Salim Mirza. He made his character hard to forget. The eyes, the style of Mirza's body-movement - could only be achieved successfully by an actor of his caliber.
Overall, Garm Hava is a very well-executed narrative, and informs us extensively about one of the many poignant chapters of the subcontinent's vast history - aftermath of The Partition.
Garm Hava is a sorrowful narrative. An experience which evokes pathos inside one's conscious. But, even after constant circumstances resulting in quite similar fates - one, like the most characters in the film - searches for little hope throughout - and I tend to incline that this is what makes this cinematic piece - rather complete.
Quality focus has been kept in costumes & set. Characters are mainly seen traveling in horse-driven carriages and usually donning traditional outfits - it being a period feature.
The shooting mostly is done on real locations, and it does seems that the production took wholly advantage of it's location - Agra, which has several heritage monuments, some being Hing's Mandi, Fatehpur Sikri, and of course - the Taj Mahal.
However, the film's slow pace sometimes gets between it's tight narrative. For instance, picturisation of song(s) looked overly-extended; could've been smaller in length - though the movie's music score is very nice, special mention to the song 'Maula Salim Chisti.'
Being Farooq Shaikh's debut feature - he looks fresh and promising as Sikandar. Other supporting casts too, provide apt support. This review would however, be incomplete without mentioning the legendary Balraj Sahni who, unarguably gave an excellent performance as Salim Mirza. He made his character hard to forget. The eyes, the style of Mirza's body-movement - could only be achieved successfully by an actor of his caliber.
Overall, Garm Hava is a very well-executed narrative, and informs us extensively about one of the many poignant chapters of the subcontinent's vast history - aftermath of The Partition.
A true Art Gem
channelnoise26 November 2020
Film such as Garam Hava is a strong reminder how cinema plays an important role in bringing realistic perspectives. Partition of India did bring true consequences which this film highlights. This is what art is all about i.e to make it look as realistic as possible. The actors such as Balraj Sahini has given a performance of a life time. Sadly he didnt live to see his own on screen performance. Any way ... a great film with serious message behind.
Documented history for understanding the partrition
vishnusampathk8 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Is there a pakistani movie on partrition.? That apart I loved the movie on the surface level it may seem its only about the india Pakistan partrition but it has so many layers of things to say. The order of Muslim families where the boy love a girl but cannot oppose their families to marry which shows the hierarchy where individual interest is not considered this is shown twice .scenes have opportunistic charecters which are shown in both religions Religions are for weak humanity is for the strong.the protagonist played by balraj sahni is a person who doesnt want to leave his home india but situations get worse that his son goes to pakistan yet he stays here and at a moment he breaks to go to pakistan he again changes his mind to stay back this is art house gem one must watch.
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