The title Manzil translates to destiny, a fitting theme for this beautiful 1979 Hindi film directed by the legendary Basu Chatterjee. A masterful blend of romance, drama, and ambition, the movie is anchored by stellar performances and a timeless score by R. D. Burman.
The Cast and Crew
The film stars Amitabh Bachchan as the aspiring protagonist, whose world collides with that of Moushumi Chatterjee. The main cast includes veteran actors like Lalita Pawar (as Amitabh’s mother), Satyen Kappu (as Moushumi’s father), and A.K. Hangal.
Amitabh’s character is a final-year engineering student burning with the ambition to start his own industrial unit. He secures financial backing from his wealthy friend, named Prakash in the film, and begins to chase his entrepreneurial dream. A talented singer, he meets Moushumi Chatterjee’s character at a social gathering at his friend’s house. Moushumi, already a fan of his singing, is immediately impressed, and a romance quickly blossoms.
The Web of Deceit
In his desire to impress his love and secure his future, Amitabh makes a critical mistake: he pretends to belong to a rich family, believing his success in business is imminent. However, his dreams are sabotaged by a shadowy figure, A.K. Hangal, who acts as a middleman and, for money, sells Amitabh’s business plan and even his plot of land to a rival. Repeated failures leave Amitabh bewildered and penniless.
The deception eventually unravels. Moushumi’s father, Satyen Kappu, discovers Amitabh’s true financial status and, believing his daughter has been cheated, files a case in court. During the proceedings, Amitabh finally uncovers the root of his misfortune A.K. Hangal’s betrayal—and exposes the truth in court.
Destiny and a Happy Verdict
Despite the circumstances, Moushumi remains steadfastly loyal, insisting she will marry Amitabh regardless of his financial situation. The court ultimately finds in Amitabh’s favor, ruling that he had no malicious intent to cheat. The verdict clears his name and sets them on a path toward their shared Manzil or destiny.
A Cinematic Triumph
Basu Chatterjee’s direction is hailed as one of the key factors in the film’s enduring success, bringing a nuanced and realistic touch to the dramatic plot. The film was produced by Raj Prakash, Jai Pawar, and Rajiv Suri.
Manzil is perhaps most remembered for its outstanding music, with R. D. Burman delivering a great score filled with unforgettable melodies. The song “Rim Jhim Gire Sawan” a super hit that perfectly captures the romance and mood of the monsoon remains one of Bollywood’s most beloved rain songs.
Principal Correspondent, Prime Post
Vidya Sagar Chaturvedula is a passionate film enthusiast whose four-decade career spans multiple sectors, including media and industry. Fluent in Telugu, Hindi, and English, he has a deep appreciation for cinema, particularly films in those three languages. His passion goes beyond simple viewing; he enjoys analyzing directional skill, the emotional depth of actors’ performances, and the profound meaning embedded in dialogue. Mr. Sagar is known for his ability to clearly articulate and narrate his insightful film analyses after watching a movie.
Simple story, I belive Amitabh’s Vibe and Aura would have just lift the entire film.
Thank You Prabhakar.
One of Basu Chatterjee’s (Aesop) fables on morals and ethics.
Trust and commitment are true essentials in success, be it career or romance.
The long and short of the story is the hit pair and hit song
Actually I haven’t viewed this movie.But I have watched rimzime gire saavan somany times b’cause of its melody and picturisation.Amitabh and Moushmi look so beautiful in the song.same couple I again watched them in piku.
Thank You Sir.