Garam Coat

Garam Coat (English: The Clerk and the Coat[1]) was a 1955 Indian Hindi drama film, directed by Amar Kumar and written by noted writer Rajinder Singh Bedi, adapted from the short story, The Overcoat (1842) by Nikolai Gogol. Bedi set the story in the economic turmoil of the post-partition North India, also experiencing a collapse in human values, fractured social fabric and growing cynicism towards the state. However, beyond that, the story of the film diverges from the original; Bedi took the story to a completely different development and also gives it an optimistic ending, unlike the original, where the protagonist turns into a ghost.[2][3] The film starred Balraj Sahni, Nirupa Roy, Jayant, Brahm Bhardwaj, Rashid Khan, and Vijayalaxmi. Music was by classical singer Pandit Amar Nath, and songs were sung by Lata Mangeshkar.[4]

Garam Coat
Directed byAmar Kumar
Screenplay byRajinder Singh Bedi
Story byRajinder Singh Bedi
Based onThe Overcoat
by Nikolai Gogol
Produced byRajinder Singh Bedi
StarringBalraj Sahni
Nirupa Roy
CinematographyVaikunth Kunkalekar
Edited byHrishikesh Mukherjee
Music byPandit Amarnath
Majrooh Sultanpuri (lyrics)
Release date
1955
Running time
129 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

It was the first film of Cine Co-operative, a production company formed by Bedi along with Balraj Sahni and actress Geeta Bali in 1954, however when the film didn't do well commercially, he went back to writing screenplays for other directors, such as Madhumati (1958) and Anuradha (1960). His next film as a producer came in 1962; Rungoli.[5]

The film won the 1956 Filmfare Award for Best Story for Rajinder Singh Bedi.[6]

Plot

Girdhari (Balraj Sahni) is small-time clerk in a post office, where he handles money orders. He barely manages a living along with his wife, Geeta (Nirupa Roy), two daughters and a son. He is unable to buy a new coat for himself and makes do with a tattered coat. One day after work, he sets out to buy toys for his children, but loses the 100-rupee note in the pocket of coat. Unable to find the money for household essentials, he plans to commit suicide, but misses the train. Upon returning home he confides in his wife. He tries part-time jobs and even petty crime, but never succeeds. Gradually he starts losing his mental balance. One day, he comes home find the pantry full, wife missing, and children playing outside his locked home. Unable to think clearly, he immediately suspects that she has taken up prostitution. He is unaware that his wife has taken part-time jobs. Unable to control his rage, he tries to strangle his wife, and rushes towards an oncoming speeding train. However, he is saved by his coworkers, Sher Khan and Munnilal, and brought home. On the way, he realises that the lost bank note had actually slipped into the lining, from his coat's pocket. Back at home, Geeta gives the 100-rupee note to Sher Khan, to buy the fabric for a new winter coat.

Cast

Music

Music of the film was by Pandit Amarnath with lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri

  • "Nanhe Re Munne Re Nanhaa Moraa Dole Mori Anganaiyaa" - Lata Mangeshkar
  • "Ghar Aaja More Raaja More Raaja Aaja" - Lata Mangeshkar
  • "Zulfonwaale Ko Kyaa Pataa Ghunghat Men Jal Gai Gori" - Lata Mangeshkar
  • "Kahiyo Roen Dukhiyaare Jaa Re Panchhi Tu Jaa Re" - Lata Mangeshkar

References
  1. Anustup Basu (2010). Bollywood in the Age of New Media: The Geo-televisual Aesthetic. Oxford University Press. pp. 1960–. ISBN 978-0-7486-8676-6.
  2. Ashish Rajadhyaksha; Paul Willemen (2014). Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. Taylor & Francis. pp. 1994–. ISBN 978-1-135-94325-7.
  3. Bhaskar Sarkar (29 April 2009). Mourning the Nation: Indian Cinema in the Wake of Partition. Duke University Press. pp. 98–. ISBN 978-0-8223-9221-7.
  4. Kohli, Suresh. "Garam Coat (1955)". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  5. AVIJIT GHOSH (2013). 40 RETAKES. Westland. pp. 45–. ISBN 978-93-83260-31-7.
  6. "Best Story Official listings". Indiatimes, Filmfare Awards. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
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