Deewaar Movie 23 Fun Facts History Classic Movie locations
Movie - Deewaar
Release date : 24 January 1975
Directed by : Yash Chopra
Written by : Salim–Javed
Produced by : Gulshan Rai
Starring : Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Nirupa Roy, Neetu Singh, Parveen Babi, Iftekhar, Madan Puri, Satyen Kappu, Manmohan Krishna
Cinematography : Kay Gee Koregaonkar
Edited by : T. R. Mangeshkar, Pran Mehra
Music by : R. D. Burman
Production company: Trimurti Films Pvt. Ltd.
Here are 23 fun and fascinating facts about the legendary 1975 Bollywood film Deewaar
1.
The Real-Life Inspiration
The story of Deewaar was loosely inspired by the life of gangster Haji Mastan, who went from being a small-time smuggler to a powerful underworld don in Mumbai.
2.
"Mere Paas Maa Hai" – The Immortal Dialogue
The iconic dialogue spoken by Shashi Kapoor, "Mere paas maa hai," became one of the most famous lines in Bollywood history. Even decades later, it is referenced in films, ads, and memes.
3.
The Role That Made Amitabh "The Angry Young Man"
Deewaar solidified Amitabh Bachchan’s "Angry Young Man" image, which he first established in Zanjeer (1973). His portrayal of Vijay Verma, a conflicted gangster, made him a superstar.
4.
Rajesh Khanna Was the First Choice
Before Amitabh, the film was offered to Rajesh Khanna, but he declined the role. This turned out to be a career-defining opportunity for Big B!
5.
Shatrughan Sinha Was Supposed to Play Ravi
Initially, Shatrughan Sinha was approached for Shashi Kapoor’s role, but he refused because he didn't want to play the second lead to Amitabh.
6.
The Tattoo That Defined a Character
Amitabh Bachchan’s character Vijay has a tattoo on his arm that reads "Mera Baap Chor Hai" (My father is a thief). This tattoo symbolizes his deep childhood trauma and drives his character’s journey.
7.
Salim-Javed's Masterpiece
Screenwriting duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar were at the peak of their career with Deewaar. It remains one of their most celebrated screenplays.
8.
The Emotional Mother-Son Bond
Nirupa Roy’s role as Amitabh’s mother became so iconic that for years, people associated her with the "Bollywood mother" stereotype.
9.
The Gateway of India Scene Was a First
The famous climax shootout between Amitabh and Shashi Kapoor was one of the first Bollywood films to be shot at the Gateway of India, Mumbai.
10.
Real Locations for Real Impact
Unlike many films of that era, Deewaar used real Mumbai locations, including docks, chawls, and streets, to create a raw, realistic look.
11.
Amitabh's Improvised Scene
The "Mandir Scene" where Amitabh’s character Vijay questions God was partially improvised by Big B. The pain in his performance was so real that many consider it one of his greatest scenes ever.
12.
A Censored Ending?
The original ending had Amitabh dying at his mother’s feet in the temple, but the censors made the filmmakers tone it down to avoid glorifying crime.
13.
Influenced by Hollywood Classics
Many believe Deewaar was inspired by Hollywood films like On the Waterfront (1954) and The Godfather (1972), with its themes of crime, loyalty, and family.
Deewaar is a cinematic masterpiece that draws inspiration from multiple sources, including the Hollywood classics On the Waterfront (1954) and The Godfather (1972), alongside Indian influences like Ganga Jamuna.
While Salim-Javed never explicitly listed these films as direct templates, the parallels are evident in themes, character arcs, and narrative beats.
14.
The Smuggler's Suitcase Mystery
In one famous scene, Vijay is seen carrying a suitcase with gold bricks wrapped in newspapers. Fans have always wondered how heavy it really was!
15.
No Songs for the Hero?
Surprisingly, Amitabh Bachchan had NO romantic song in the entire film! All the songs were picturized on Shashi Kapoor and Neetu Singh.
16.
A Role of a Lifetime for Parveen Babi
Parveen Babi played a strong, independent woman, Anita, who was involved in smuggling—a rarity in Bollywood at the time.
17.
The Film That Beat Sholay (At the Box Office!)
Although Sholay is considered the biggest film of 1975, Deewaar was a bigger hit at first! It made more money in the first few weeks before Sholay picked up.
18.
The Film That Rejected Filmfare!
Shockingly, Deewaar won only 1 Filmfare Award for Best Film, while Sholay won none! Fans and critics were furious about both snubs.
19.
Amitabh's Emotional Scene with Nirupa Roy
During a crucial scene where Vijay brings home wealth and asks his mother to accept it, Amitabh was so emotional that he cried for real during the take.
20.
The First Bollywood Film with No Lip-Sync Songs
Deewaar was among the first mainstream Bollywood films where the hero didn’t lip-sync to any songs, making it unique for its time.
21-
Deewaar was a massive hit and has been remade in multiple languages both within India and internationally, including Hong Kong
Remakes in India:
Telugu: Remade as Magaadu (1976), starring N. T. Rama Rao.
Tamil: Remade as Thee (1981), starring Rajinikanth.
Malayalam: Remade as Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare (1983), starring Mammootty.
Hindi (another version): Adapted again in Bollywood as Aatish: Feel the Fire (1994), starring Sanjay Dutt, though this is considered more of an inspired remake than a direct one.
Additionally, there was another Telugu remake titled Railway Coolie (2001), but it’s less documented and often not counted as a major remake. So, within India, Deewaar was remade in at least three distinct languages (Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam), with a possible fourth depending on how one classifies Aatish.
Remakes Outside India (Including Hong Kong and China):
Cantonese (Hong Kong): Remade as The Brothers (1979) by the Shaw Brothers studio.
This version was a scene-for-scene remake, translating key dialogues into Cantonese, and it significantly influenced Hong Kong action cinema, including the "heroic bloodshed" genre.
Persian (Iran): Remade as Koose-ye Jonoob (1978).
Turkish: Remade as Acıların Çocuğu (1985).
Global Influence:
Deewaar wasn’t just a hit in India; it gained a cult following in the Soviet Union, Middle East, and Africa. Its Hong Kong remake, The Brothers (1979), inspired John Woo’s A Better Tomorrow (1986), linking it to the global “heroic bloodshed” genre.
22-
The Number 786: Amitabh’s character wears a badge with the number 786, considered auspicious in Islam (it represents "Bismillah" in numerology).
Fans later saw it as a lucky charm tied to his success.
23-
Primary Filming Locations:
Filmistan Studios, Goregaon, Mumbai:
Significance: A large portion of Deewaar was shot on sets constructed at Filmistan Studios, a popular hub for Bollywood productions in the 1970s. This included interiors like Vijay’s home, the police station, and the warehouse where key confrontations occur.
Scenes: The famous “Mere paas maa hai” confrontation between Vijay and Ravi was filmed on a studio set designed to resemble a modest Bombay home.
Rajkamal Kalamandir Studios, Parel, Mumbai:
Significance: Another major studio used for interior scenes, especially those requiring elaborate setups like the smuggling den or the mother’s house.
Scenes: The dramatic temple scene where Vijay prays for his mother’s life (“Hey Maa, mata rani…”) was likely shot here on a constructed temple set, a common practice for such sequences.
Bombay Docks (Mumbai Port Trust Area):
Significance: The film opens with Vijay as a dockworker, and real dockyard locations were used to establish his laborer roots and the gritty underworld vibe. The Bombay docks were a bustling trade hub in the 1970s, reflecting the film’s themes of exploitation and rebellion.
Scenes: Early sequences showing Vijay’s tattoo (“Mera baap chor hai”) and his initial defiance against the dockyard goons were filmed here.
Gateway of India, Colaba, Mumbai:
Significance: This iconic monument appears in some exterior shots, symbolizing Bombay’s identity as a city of opportunity and conflict. It’s a subtle backdrop rather than a focal point.
Scenes: Brief establishing shots of the city likely include glimpses of the Gateway, common in 1970s Bollywood to set the urban tone.
Marine Drive, Mumbai:
Significance: Known as the “Queen’s Necklace,” this scenic promenade was used for transitional shots to showcase Bombay’s skyline and contrast the characters’ struggles with the city’s glamour.
Scenes: Driving sequences or moments of reflection might feature Marine Drive’s curving coastline.
Byculla Bridge Area, Mumbai:
Significance: The climactic scene where Vijay meets his end was reportedly filmed around Byculla, a central Mumbai locality. The bridge and surrounding streets provided a dramatic, urban chase setting.
Scenes: Vijay’s death in his mother’s arms after being shot by Ravi occurs in this area, with the temple exterior possibly a set or a real location nearby (like the Siddhivinayak Temple, though unconfirmed).
Crowded Streets of South Mumbai (e.g., Bhendi Bazaar, Grant Road):
Significance: To capture Bombay’s chaotic energy, exterior shots were filmed in bustling markets and residential areas of South Mumbai, reflecting the film’s working-class ethos.
Scenes: Vijay’s rise in the underworld and interactions with smugglers likely used these locales for authenticity.
No International Locations:
Deewaar was entirely shot in India, rooted in Bombay’s identity as the story’s heartbeat.
23-
Still Relevant in 2025 Deewaar
Lines like “Mere paas maa hai” are still quoted in pop culture, memes, and casual conversations in India.
Amitabh Bachchan’s “Angry Young Man” persona continues to influence Bollywood heroes, even in 2025’s evolving cinema landscape.
The film’s depiction of Bombay (now Mumbai) as a city of dreams and despair remains a potent symbol, especially as urban inequality persists.
Watch Full Movie Deewaar (1975) - 4K - Amitabh Bachchan
