- A Classic Tale of Conflict and Mother’s Love
The dialogue “Mere Paas Maa Hai” (I have mother), this single dialogue beautifully captures the film’s central theme and the priceless value of virtue and the mother’s love over material wealth, resonating deeply with the audience and reverberated in the theaters in Deewaar (The Wall), released in 1975. It is a landmark Hindi film and an intense emotional drama that explores the deep-rooted conflict between two brothers on opposite sides of the law. Written by the iconic duo Salim-Javed and directed by the legendary Yash Chopra, the film achieved super-hit status, largely thanks to its powerful narrative, memorable dialogues, and stellar performances.
Key Cast and Crew
Director: Yash Chopra, Writers: Salim-Javed–Main Cast: Amitabh Bachchan as Vijay Verma (The Smuggler), Shashi Kapoor as Ravi Verma (The Police Officer) — Nirupa Roy as Sumitra Devi (The Mother) — Parveen Babi as Anita — Neetu Singh as Sunita — Iftekhar as Police Commissioner.
The Story: Brotherhood Divided
The narrative centers on two brothers, Vijay and Ravi, and their mother, Sumitra Devi. Their father, an honest labour union leader, is betrayed and forced to abandon his family, leaving them in destitution.Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan): Scarred by the poverty and injustice of his childhood, Vijay chooses a life of crime, becoming a powerful smuggler.
His primary motivation is to earn wealth quickly and provide his mother with the comfortable life she deserves. Ravi (Shashi Kapoor): Raised with a strong sense of ethics and responsibility, Ravi pursues an honest career and becomes a Police Officer. This difference in their chosen paths creates the literal and metaphorical “Deewaar” (Wall) between the siblings one upholding the law, the other defying it. The drama escalates when Police Officer Ravi is forced by duty to confront and capture his criminal brother, Vijay.
The Climax and Iconic Dialogue
The film is famous for several highly emotional scenes, most notably the powerful confrontation between the brothers under a bridge where they spent their childhood. In this scene, Vijay, flaunting his illegal wealth, challenges Ravi: “Look at me and look at yourself. We were both brought up here. I have a bungalow, a bank balance … What do you have? You earn seven hundred rupees a month, a jeep, and a small apartment. Where are you, and where am I?” Ravi’s immortal and defining response cemented the film’s legend: “Mere Paas Maa Hai” (I have Mother).
Emotional High Points
The Mother’s Sacrifice: Sumitra Devi’s struggle to raise her sons forms the core of the film.Vijay’s Redemption and Death: Towards the end, when his mother is critically ill, Vijay goes to the temple to pray for her recovery, showing his underlying love. After his mother recovers, a final confrontation with Ravi leads to Vijay being fatally shot. He stumbles back to the temple where his mother is waiting and dies in her lap, achieving a final, tragic reconciliation.
Award Recognition: Shashi Kapoor was awarded the National Film Award for his performance, and the film’s music by R. D. Burman was highly successful.
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.
Excellent Story
I was completely immersed into film. Because I didn’t see emotional film like this. This particular film brought change in my behavior and maturity. I have never seen mothers love as it is picturised in Deewar. I learned life with this film. Emotions, love oho, what not? Powerful performances by Amithabh and Shashi Kapoor. It completely changed bollywood scenario.
Review is great.yes in those days mere paas maa hain dialogue was very popular.One of Amitab’s hit movies
Thank You Sir.
Super…… sagar garu
Thank You Sir.
Dewar… what a great movie
It is a cinematic masterpiece.
Some English magazine wrote, it is one of the best hindi movies must See Before You Die. It remade in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam Persian and in Turkish also.
Great review sir
Thank You Sir
Good review
Extremely good movie .Deewar is one of the best of Amitabh’s movies.
Thank You.
The story of this film is filled with full of emotional drama. The characters enumerated right from Amitab Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, and Nirupa Rai had done their best. As the saying goes ‘Angry young man’ Amitab did it deservedly. Yash Chopra well known for his earnest story and screen play. Nonetheless Salim Javid dialogues in this movie. RDB music set out to classics as always. Good narration describing oldies goldies once again.
Well Said. Thank you.
No matter how bad the world around treats you you should continue to be good and let the world around ill treat you. Almost like her gender is ill treated otherwise Mum will not be be with you.
Nice story but the pseudo Gandhian dialogues are only for the masses. Mom’s viewpoint is definitely questionable.
Not everyone can join the police and have Govt. Authority to take revenge.
Thank You Sir. It’s nice.
Mere pass maa hai dialogue was iconic. Super movie of Amitabh Bachchan . Nice review
An alpha action hero/villain whose actions are totally motivated by his love for his mother. There cannot be any viewer (male atleast) who does not get attracted towards such a character. ‘Mera paas maa hai’ did not become iconic because Shashi Kapoor said it but because of what it meant for Amitabh. Here is a guy who is undefeated by the world he fights with but in one iconic moment realizes he lost out on what mattered to him the most- his mom. This is what breaks his heart and the viewers which instantly roots for him over an upright Shashi kapoor. This is peak cinema.