Junoon (1978 film): Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by 103.52.247.72
Last edited March 4, 2026
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.
reworked article based on references
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name          = Junoon
| name          = Junoon
| image          = Junoon_film.jpg
| image          = Junoon_film.jpg
| image_size    =
| caption        = Film poster
| caption        = Film poster
| director      = [[Shyam Benegal]]
| director      = [[Shyam Benegal]]
| producer      = [[Shashi Kapoor]]
| producer      = [[Shashi Kapoor]]
| writer        = Shyam Benegal (screenplay)<br />[[Satyadev Dubey]] (dialogues)<br />[[Ismat Chugtai]] (dialogues)<br />[[Ruskin Bond]]
| writer        = Shyam Benegal (screenplay)<br />[[Satyadev Dubey]] (dialogues)<br />[[Ismat Chugtai]] (dialogues)<br />[[Ruskin Bond]]
| based_on      = {{based on|''[[A Flight of Pigeons]]''|[[Ruskin Bond]]}}
| based_on      = {{based on|''[[A Flight of Pigeons]]''<br>1978 novella|[[Ruskin Bond]]}}
| narrator      = [[Amrish Puri]]
| narrator      = [[Amrish Puri]]
| starring      = [[Shashi Kapoor]]<br />[[Shabana Azmi]]<br />[[Jennifer Kendal]]<br />[[Naseeruddin Shah]]
| starring      = [[Shashi Kapoor]]<br />[[Shabana Azmi]]<br />[[Jennifer Kendal]]<br />[[Naseeruddin Shah]]
Line 22: Line 21:
| budget        =
| budget        =
}}
}}
'''''Junoon''''' ([[translation]]: ''The Obsession'') is a 1978 [[India]]n [[Hindi language]] film produced by [[Shashi Kapoor]] and directed by [[Shyam Benegal]]. The film is based on [[Ruskin Bond]]'s fictional novella, ''[[A Flight of Pigeons]]'', set around the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]]. The film's soundtrack was composed by [[Vanraj Bhatia]], and cinematography by [[Govind Nihalani]].<ref name="Rediff">{{cite web|last1=Sen|first1=Raja|title=Revisiting 1857: Benegal's Junoon|url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2005/aug/25junoon.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=3 September 2017|date=25 August 2022}}</ref>
'''''Junoon''''' ([[translation]]: ''The Obsession'') is a 1979 [[India]]n [[Hindi language]] film produced by [[Shashi Kapoor]] and directed by [[Shyam Benegal]]. The film is based on [[Ruskin Bond]]'s fictional novella, ''[[A Flight of Pigeons]]'', set around the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]]. The film's soundtrack was composed by [[Vanraj Bhatia]], and cinematography by [[Govind Nihalani]].<ref name="Rediff">{{cite web|last1=Sen|first1=Raja|title=Revisiting 1857: Benegal's Junoon|url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2005/aug/25junoon.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=3 September 2017|date=25 August 2005}}</ref>


Its cast included [[Shashi Kapoor]], his wife [[Jennifer Kendal]], [[Nafisa Ali]], [[Tom Alter]], [[Shabana Azmi]], [[Kulbhushan Kharbanda]], [[Naseeruddin Shah]], [[Deepti Naval]], [[Pearl Padamsee]] and [[Sushma Seth]].<ref name="TH">{{cite news|last1=Lokapally|first1=Vijay|title=Blast from the Past: Junoon (1978)|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/blast-from-the-past-junoon-1978/article6196818.ece|access-date=3 September 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=10 July 2022}}</ref> The film also featured Shashi and Jennifer's children [[Karan Kapoor]], [[Kunal Kapoor (Kapoor family)|Kunal Kapoor]], and [[Sanjana Kapoor]].
Its cast included [[Shashi Kapoor]], his wife [[Jennifer Kendal]], [[Nafisa Ali]], [[Tom Alter]], [[Shabana Azmi]], [[Kulbhushan Kharbanda]], [[Naseeruddin Shah]], [[Deepti Naval]], [[Pearl Padamsee]] and [[Sushma Seth]].<ref name="TH">{{cite news|last1=Lokapally|first1=Vijay|title=Blast from the Past: Junoon (1978)|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/blast-from-the-past-junoon-1978/article6196818.ece|access-date=3 September 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=10 July 2014}}</ref> The film also featured Shashi and Jennifer's children [[Karan Kapoor]], [[Kunal Kapoor (Kapoor family)|Kunal Kapoor]], and [[Sanjana Kapoor]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
The story is set around the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]]. Javed Khan ([[Shashi Kapoor]]) is a reckless feudal chieftain of [[Muslim]] [[Pathans in India|Pathan]] heritage, whose world revolves around breeding carrier pigeons. His younger brother-in-law, Sarfaraz Khan ([[Naseeruddin Shah]]) is politically awakened and actively plots the fight against the [[British Empire]]. Freedom fighters attack the local British administrators while they are in Sunday Worship at church, massacring them all. Miriam Labadoor ([[Jennifer Kendal]]) manages to escape with her daughter, Ruth ([[Nafisa Ali]]), and mother ([[Ismat Chugtai]]), who is a Muslim woman from the royal [[Nawab]]i family of [[Rampur State|Rampur]] and was married to an Englishman. The three women seek refuge with the wealthy [[Hindu]] family of Lala Ramjimal ([[Kulbhushan Kharbanda]]). Lala is torn between his loyalty to India and his privileged position under the British, and also his silent love towards Miriam, who seems to also reciprocate it silently. However, matters are taken out of his hands by Javed Khan who barges into Lala's house and forcibly takes Ruth and her family to his own house. This leads to jealousy on the part of his wife, Firdaus ([[Shabana Azmi]]), and anger on the part of his brother, who ultimately gives in to the Pathan tradition of offering hospitality and sanctuary ([[Nanawatai]]) even to uninvited guests. Various situations ensue due to cultural misunderstandings in the domestic routine of the Muslim household with its new English guests. Javed falls in love with Ruth, and wants to marry her but is opposed bitterly by her mother. Noticing the intense feelings of Javed for her daughter Ruth, Miriam cleverly makes an agreement with Javed that she would only give her daughter's hand to Javed if the British were defeated. At first, Javed is hesitant but accepts the deal when again Miriam asks him if he has misgivings in his war against the British. There is simmering of a love affair under the watchful suspicious eyes of Firdaus.


The story is set around the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]]. Javed Khan ([[Shashi Kapoor]]) is a reckless feudal chieftain with a Muslim Pathan heritage, whose world revolves around breeding carrier pigeons. His younger brother-in-law, Sarfaraz Khan ([[Naseeruddin Shah]]) is politically awakened and actively plots the fight against the [[United Kingdom|British]]. Freedom fighters attack the local British administrators while they are in Sunday Worship at [[Church (building)|Church]], massacring them all. Miriam Labadoor ([[Jennifer Kendal]]) manages to escape with her daughter, Ruth ([[Nafisa Ali]]) and mother ([[Ismat Chugtai]]), who is a Muslim lady from the royal Nawab family of Rampur and was married to an Englishman. The three women seek refuge with the wealthy [[Hindu]] family of Lala Ramjimal ([[Kulbhushan Kharbanda]]). Lala is torn between his loyalty to India and his privileged position under the British, and also his silent love towards Miriam, who seems to also reciprocate it silently. However, matters are taken out of his hand by Javed Khan who barges into Lala's house and forcibly takes Ruth and her family to his own house. This leads to jealousy on part of his wife, Firdaus ([[Shabana Azmi]]) and anger on part of his brother, who ultimately gives in to the Pathan tradition of offering hospitality and sanctuary ([[Nanawatai]]) even to uninvited guests. Various situations ensue due to cultural misunderstandings in the domestic routine of the Muslim household with its new English guests. Javed falls in love with Ruth, and wants to marry her but is opposed bitterly by her mother.  Noticing the intense feelings of Javed for her daughter Ruth, Miriam Labadoor (mother) cleverly makes an agreement with Javed that she would only give her daughter's hand to Javed if the British were defeated.  In the first instance, Javed is hesitant but accepts the offer when again Miriam asks him if he has misgivings in his war against the British.  There are simmerings of a love affair under the watchful suspicious eyes of Firdaus.
Meanwhile, the Rebellion runs into problems and the British are defeating the poorly organised Indian forces. In a stormy scene, Sarfaraz destroys Javed's pigeon coops and sets his pets free after he finds out that Indian forces have lost the Battle for Delhi. There is a delayed recognition by Javed of his subjugated identity, colonised by the British. Sarfaraz dies in a battle against the British. The Labadoors return to the protection of the re-deployed British contingent, smuggled by Firdaus, who only wants to save her marriage. Javed finds out that the Labadoors have sought sanctuary in the church and rushes there to meet Ruth one last time. Surprisingly, Ruth comes out and expresses her feelings for Javed against her mother's will.  However, Javed honourably keeps his word he had given Miriam Labadoor and leaves the church without Ruth. The movie ends here with the voiceover that Javed was martyred fighting the British while Ruth and her mother return to [[England]]. Ruth dies fifty-five years later, unwed.
 
Meanwhile, the Rebellion runs into problems and the British are defeating the poorly organized Indian forces. In a stormy scene, Sarfaraz destroys Javed's pigeon coops and sets his pets free after he finds out that Indian forces have lost the Battle for Delhi. There is a delayed recognition by Javed of his subjugated identity, colonized by the British. Sarfaraz dies in a battle against the British. The Labadoors return to the protection of the re-deployed British contingent, smuggled by Firdaus, who only wants to save her marriage. Javed finds out that the Labadoors have sought sanctuary in the church and rushes there to meet Ruth one last time. Surprisingly, Ruth comes out and expresses her feelings for Javed against her mother's will.  However, Javed honorably keeps his word and the promise he had made with Miriam Labadoor and leaves the church without Ruth. The movie ends here with the voiceover that Javed was martyred fighting the British while Ruth and her mother return to [[England]]. Ruth dies fifty-five years later, unwed.


==Cast==
==Cast==
Line 36: Line 34:
* [[Shashi Kapoor]] as Javed Khan
* [[Shashi Kapoor]] as Javed Khan
* [[Nafisa Ali]] as Ruth Labadoor
* [[Nafisa Ali]] as Ruth Labadoor
* [[Jennifer Kendal]] as Miriam Labadoor (Ruth's Mother)
* [[Jennifer Kendal]] as Miriam Labadoor (Ruth's mother)
* [[Naseeruddin Shah]] as Sarfaraz Khan, Javed's brother-in-law
* [[Naseeruddin Shah]] as Sarfaraz Khan, Javed's brother-in-law
* [[Shabana Azmi]] as Firdaus, Javed's wife
* [[Shabana Azmi]] as Firdaus, Javed's wife
* [[Ismat Chughtai]] as Miriam's Mom
* [[Ismat Chughtai]] as Miriam's mother
* [[Kulbhushan Kharbanda]] as Lala Ramjimal
* [[Kulbhushan Kharbanda]] as Lala Ramjimal
* [[Sanjana Kapoor]]
* [[Sanjana Kapoor]]
Line 52: Line 50:
* [[Rajesh Vivek]]
* [[Rajesh Vivek]]
* [[Deepti Naval]] as Rashid's wife
* [[Deepti Naval]] as Rashid's wife
* [[Pearl Padamsee]] as Akhtarbee, bitter woman
* [[Pearl Padamsee]] as Akhtarbee, a bitter woman
* Savita Bajaj
* Savita Bajaj
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
Line 61: Line 59:
==Awards==
==Awards==
'''[[26th National Film Awards|1979 National Film Awards]]:'''
'''[[26th National Film Awards|1979 National Film Awards]]:'''
* [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi|Best Feature Film in Hindi]] – Shashi Kapoor (as producer)
* [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi|Best Feature Film in Hindi]] – [[Shashi Kapoor]]
* [[National Film Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]] – [[Govind Nihalani]]
* [[National Film Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]] – [[Govind Nihalani]]
* [[National Film Award for Best Audiography|Best Audiography]] – Hitendra Ghosh
* [[National Film Award for Best Audiography|Best Audiography]] – Hitendra Ghosh
'''[[27th Filmfare Awards]]:'''
 
'''[[27th Filmfare Awards]]:'''  


'''Won'''
'''Won'''
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Film|Best Film]] – [[Shashi Kapoor]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Film|Best Film]] – Shashi Kapoor
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Director|Best Director]] – [[Shyam Benegal]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Director|Best Director]] – [[Shyam Benegal]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Dialogue]] – Pandit Satyadev Dubey
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue|Best Dialogue]] – Pandit Satyadev Dubey
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]] – [[Govind Nihalani]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]] – Govind Nihalani
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Editing|Best Editing]] – Bhanudas Divakar
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Editing|Best Editing]] – Bhanudas Divakar
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Sound Design|Best Sound Recording]] – Hitendra Ghosh
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Sound Design|Best Sound Recording]] – Hitendra Ghosh
Line 95: Line 94:
| genre        = [[Film soundtrack]]
| genre        = [[Film soundtrack]]
| length      =  
| length      =  
| label        = [[HMV]]
| label        = [[Saregama|His Master's Voice]]
| producer    = Kersy Lord
| producer    = Kersy Lord
}}
}}
Line 114: Line 113:
==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title|id=0077783|title=Junoon}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0077783|title=Junoon}}
* {{Amg movie|160926|Junoon}}
* {{tcmdb title|id=484573}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|id=junoon|title=Junoon}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|id=junoon|title=Junoon}}


Line 123: Line 122:
{{DEFAULTSORT:Junoon (1978 Film)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Junoon (1978 Film)}}
[[Category:1978 films]]
[[Category:1978 films]]
[[Category:1970s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:1979 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:1978 Indian films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Shyam Benegal]]
[[Category:Films directed by Shyam Benegal]]
[[Category:Films set in Lucknow]]
[[Category:Films set in Lucknow]]

Latest revision as of 04:54, 4 March 2026

Junoon
Film poster
Directed byShyam Benegal
Produced byShashi Kapoor
Written byShyam Benegal (screenplay)
Satyadev Dubey (dialogues)
Ismat Chugtai (dialogues)
Ruskin Bond
Based onA Flight of Pigeons
1978 novella
by Ruskin Bond
StarringShashi Kapoor
Shabana Azmi
Jennifer Kendal
Naseeruddin Shah
Narrated byAmrish Puri
Music byVanraj Bhatia
CinematographyGovind Nihalani
Edited byBhanudas Divakar
Release date
  • 30 March 1979 (1979-03-30)
Running time
141 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
English

Junoon (translation: The Obsession) is a 1979 Indian Hindi language film produced by Shashi Kapoor and directed by Shyam Benegal. The film is based on Ruskin Bond's fictional novella, A Flight of Pigeons, set around the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The film's soundtrack was composed by Vanraj Bhatia, and cinematography by Govind Nihalani.[1]

Its cast included Shashi Kapoor, his wife Jennifer Kendal, Nafisa Ali, Tom Alter, Shabana Azmi, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Naseeruddin Shah, Deepti Naval, Pearl Padamsee and Sushma Seth.[2] The film also featured Shashi and Jennifer's children Karan Kapoor, Kunal Kapoor, and Sanjana Kapoor.

Plot[edit | edit source]

The story is set around the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Javed Khan (Shashi Kapoor) is a reckless feudal chieftain of Muslim Pathan heritage, whose world revolves around breeding carrier pigeons. His younger brother-in-law, Sarfaraz Khan (Naseeruddin Shah) is politically awakened and actively plots the fight against the British Empire. Freedom fighters attack the local British administrators while they are in Sunday Worship at church, massacring them all. Miriam Labadoor (Jennifer Kendal) manages to escape with her daughter, Ruth (Nafisa Ali), and mother (Ismat Chugtai), who is a Muslim woman from the royal Nawabi family of Rampur and was married to an Englishman. The three women seek refuge with the wealthy Hindu family of Lala Ramjimal (Kulbhushan Kharbanda). Lala is torn between his loyalty to India and his privileged position under the British, and also his silent love towards Miriam, who seems to also reciprocate it silently. However, matters are taken out of his hands by Javed Khan who barges into Lala's house and forcibly takes Ruth and her family to his own house. This leads to jealousy on the part of his wife, Firdaus (Shabana Azmi), and anger on the part of his brother, who ultimately gives in to the Pathan tradition of offering hospitality and sanctuary (Nanawatai) even to uninvited guests. Various situations ensue due to cultural misunderstandings in the domestic routine of the Muslim household with its new English guests. Javed falls in love with Ruth, and wants to marry her but is opposed bitterly by her mother. Noticing the intense feelings of Javed for her daughter Ruth, Miriam cleverly makes an agreement with Javed that she would only give her daughter's hand to Javed if the British were defeated. At first, Javed is hesitant but accepts the deal when again Miriam asks him if he has misgivings in his war against the British. There is simmering of a love affair under the watchful suspicious eyes of Firdaus.

Meanwhile, the Rebellion runs into problems and the British are defeating the poorly organised Indian forces. In a stormy scene, Sarfaraz destroys Javed's pigeon coops and sets his pets free after he finds out that Indian forces have lost the Battle for Delhi. There is a delayed recognition by Javed of his subjugated identity, colonised by the British. Sarfaraz dies in a battle against the British. The Labadoors return to the protection of the re-deployed British contingent, smuggled by Firdaus, who only wants to save her marriage. Javed finds out that the Labadoors have sought sanctuary in the church and rushes there to meet Ruth one last time. Surprisingly, Ruth comes out and expresses her feelings for Javed against her mother's will. However, Javed honourably keeps his word he had given Miriam Labadoor and leaves the church without Ruth. The movie ends here with the voiceover that Javed was martyred fighting the British while Ruth and her mother return to England. Ruth dies fifty-five years later, unwed.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Reception[edit | edit source]

In a retrospective review, Raja Sen of Rediff.com called it "an overwhelmingly powerful film, a bittersweet, entirely futile love story."[1]

Awards[edit | edit source]

1979 National Film Awards:

27th Filmfare Awards:

Won

Nominated

Recognition[edit | edit source]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

Junoon
Soundtrack album by
Vanraj Bhatia
Released1978
GenreFilm soundtrack
LabelHis Master's Voice
ProducerKersy Lord

The soundtrack features 4 songs, composed by Vanraj Bhatia, with original lyrics from Yogesh Praveen and other lyrics by Amir Khusro, Jigar Moradabadi and Sant Kabir.

  1. "Khusro rain piya ki jaagi pee ke sang" – Jamil Ahmad
  2. "Ishq ne todi sar pe qayamat" – Mohammad Rafi
  3. "Come live with me and be my love" – Jennifer Kendal
  4. "Ghir aayi kari ghata matwali sawan ki aayi bahaar re" – Asha Bhosle, Varsha Bhosle

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sen, Raja (25 August 2005). "Revisiting 1857: Benegal's Junoon". Rediff.com. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  2. ↑ Lokapally, Vijay (10 July 2014). "Blast from the Past: Junoon (1978)". The Hindu. Retrieved 3 September 2017.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:FilmfareAwardBestFilm 1971–1990

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Junoon_(1978_film)&oldid=461985"
Discover more