Some lesser-known facts about Balraj Sahni’s Garm Hawa

Garm Hawa is a critically acclaimed Indian film released in 1973. Here are some lesser-known facts about the movie:

1. The film is based on an unpublished story by noted Urdu writer Ismat Chughtai.
2. Garm Hawa marked the directorial debut of M.S. Sathyu, who went on to become a prominent filmmaker in Indian cinema.
3. The film was shot in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and the surrounding areas, which were chosen because of their resemblance to the old city of Delhi.
4. The lead role of Salim Mirza was originally offered to the veteran actor Dilip Kumar, but he declined the offer. The role was then offered to Balraj Sahni, who played the part to critical acclaim.
5. The film also marked the acting debut of Farooq Sheikh, who played the role of Salim Mirza’s son Sikander.
6. The film was released during the Emergency period in India, which resulted in the censorship of many films. However, Garm Hava was allowed to be released without any cuts or alterations.
7. The music of the film was composed by acclaimed Indian classical musician Ustad Bahadur Khan.
8. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi in 1974.
9. The title of the film, Garm Hava, translates to “hot winds” in English and refers to the hot, dry wind that blows during the summer in India.
10. The film deals with the aftermath of the partition of India and Pakistan and its impact on a Muslim family living in India. It is considered a landmark film in Indian cinema for its sensitive portrayal of the human cost of the partition.