Cast
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Amol Palekar
as Ram Prasad Dasharath Prasad Sharma / Laxman Prasad Dasharath Prasad Sharma
Utpal Dutt
as Bhavani Shankar
Bindiya Goswami
as Urmila
Dina Pathak
as Mrs. Kamala Srivastava
Deven Verma
as Deven Verma
Manju Singh
as Ratna Sharma
David Abraham Cheulkar
as Doctor Kedar Mama
Shubha Khote
as Buaji Kalindi
Amitabh Bachchan
as Self
Pushpa
as
Harish Magan
as Badri Narayan Shrivastav
Aanjjan Srivastav
as Inspector Sharma
Keshto Mukherjee
as Drunkard
Yunus Parvez
as Bade Babu
Bhola
as
Crew
Director
- Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Producer
- N.C. Sippy
- Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
Gol Maal represents a fascinating example of Comedy cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director Hrishikesh Mukherjee brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1979, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Gol Maal took approximately 32 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 144 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 182 minutes long.
- The musical score contains over 60 unique compositions.
- The screenplay went through 5 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 12 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 1979, when this film was released:
- Economic recession and oil crises were affecting global economies.
- Environmental awareness was growing as a social concern.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Gol Maal shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, which focuses more on action than character development, Gol Maal subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Schultze Gets the Blues and American Dreamz explore similar territory, Gol Maal stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 19, 1979
- Runtime: 2h 24m
