Deewaar (1975) — Story, Cast & Review

Intro

Deewaar (1975) is a landmark Hindi crime drama that helped define 1970s Bollywood. A gritty, emotionally charged tale of two brothers who take opposite paths in life, the film is known for its taut screenplay, memorable dialogues, powerful performances and a score that heightens every dramatic beat. It remains one of the most-discussed and frequently referenced films in Indian cinema.

Story — Detailed synopsis

Born into poverty, brothers Vijay and Ravi Verma grow up carrying the shame and anger of their family’s hardships. Their father, a trade unionist, dies in humiliating circumstances after losing his job — an event that scars Vijay deeply and shapes his view of society.

As a young man, Vijay is drawn into the city’s underworld. Hard, determined and distrustful of the establishment that failed his family, he uses smuggling and criminal networks to climb up the ladders of power and wealth. His moral code is pragmatic: survival and protection of his mother come first, and he refuses to be cowed by corrupt officials or the rich who exploited his family.

Ravi, the younger brother, chooses a different path. Believing in law, institutions and the possibility of justice from within, he becomes a police officer. He is honorable, sympathetic and deeply attached to the family’s sense of duty.

The brothers’ opposing life choices lead to repeated clashes — personal, ethical and professional. Vijay’s figures in the underworld bring him into conflict with law enforcement, and Ravi, bound by duty, finds himself pursuing the very man he loves. The family’s matriarch watches helplessly as the moral gulf between her sons widens. In the film’s final act, loyalties fracture, sacrifices are made and the brothers confront each other in a tragic, cathartic culmination that interrogates justice, loyalty and the costs of a life shaped by anger.

Principal cast & characters

• Amitabh Bachchan as Vijay Verma — the elder brother, a tough, street-smart smuggler with a wounded pride and a fierce protectiveness for his family.

• Shashi Kapoor as Ravi Verma — the younger brother who becomes a principled police officer, the moral counterpoint to Vijay.

• Nirupa Roy as Sumitra Verma — the mother, whose suffering and unconditional love are the emotional heart of the film.

• Parveen Babi as Anita — Vijay’s primary romantic interest, whose relationship with him reflects his complex humanity.

• Neetu Singh (supporting role) — a young woman connected to the brothers’ lives and the film’s subplots.

• Madan Puri, Iftekhar, Manmohan Krishna, Satyen Kappu and others fill key supporting roles as police officials, gangsters and community figures who shape the story’s moral and social landscape.

Direction, screenplay & performances

• Direction: The film balances gritty street-level realism with moral melodrama. The director keeps the pacing taut, intercutting personal family moments with the larger social and criminal conflicts that drive the plot.

• Screenplay & Dialogues: The screenplay is economical and forceful — scenes land sharply, and many lines have the compact, quotable quality that helped the film lodge itself in popular memory. The writing frames the brothers’ choices as both personal and emblematic of societal fractures.

• Performances: Amitabh Bachchan’s portrayal of Vijay is magnetic — a layered mix of anger, vulnerability and charisma. Shashi Kapoor offers a restrained, humane counterbalance as Ravi. Nirupa Roy’s performance as the mother is quietly devastating and gives the story its emotional anchor. The supporting cast adds texture and credibility to the world the film creates.

Music & technicals

• Music: The soundtrack supports the film’s mood rather than overpowering it. Songs and background score underline key emotional moments and the film’s urban atmosphere.

• Cinematography & Editing: Visuals emphasize Mumbai’s crowded streets, cramped housing and the contrast between the city’s glamour and its underbelly. Editing keeps the narrative focused and propulsive, moving naturally between intimate family beats and larger confrontations.

Themes & analysis

• Poverty and dignity: The film interrogates how systemic injustice and economic humiliation can warp choices and identities. Vijay’s criminal life is presented as a response to a world that denied him dignity.

• Law vs. survival: Through Ravi and Vijay, the film poses the classic question: is justice better pursued within institutions or by rejecting them entirely? It resists easy answers, instead dramatizing the human cost of both options.

• Family and loyalty: At its core, Deewaar is a family drama. Love for the mother, fraternal bonds and betrayal are the emotional forces that move the plot to its inevitable reckoning.

• The making of an “angry young man”: The film captures a new kind of cinematic hero — angry, anti-establishment, wounded by social injustice — a figure that resonated powerfully with audiences of the time.

Reception & legacy

On release, the film connected strongly with both audiences and popular culture. Its performances and central conflict became archetypal, influencing numerous later films and storytellers. Many scenes and lines from the film entered the public lexicon and are still referenced in popular media. The film’s exploration of class, honor and the personal consequences of social wrongs has helped it endure as a touchstone of mainstream Indian cinema.

Memorable moments

While the film has many striking scenes, the emotional confrontation between the brothers and moments that foreground the mother’s suffering are the most frequently recalled — they crystallize the film’s stakes and linger long after the credits roll.

Who should watch it

If you appreciate character-driven crime dramas, films that combine social commentary with personal tragedy, or classic performances that shaped later generations of actors, Deewaar is essential viewing. Modern audiences may notice the film’s period melodrama, but its core themes remain resonant.

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Verdict (short)

A powerful, well-acted crime drama that balances social urgency with family tragedy — Deewaar is a classic whose emotional force and moral complexity continue to influence Indian cinema.

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