Junoon (1978 film)

Junoon Hindi , translation The Obsession is a critically acclaimed and awardwinning 1978 Indian Hindi language film produced by Shashi Kapoor and directed by Shyam Benegal. The film is based on Ruskin Bonds fictional novella, A Flight of Pigeons, set around the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The film also had awardwinning soundtrack, composed by Vanraj Bhatia, and cinematography by Govind Nihalani.

The story is set around the Indian Mutiny of 1857. Javed Khan Shashi Kapoor is a feckless feudal chieftain with a Muslim Pathan heritage, whose world revolves around breeding carrier pigeons. His younger brotherinlaw, Sarfaraz Khan Naseeruddin Shah is politically awakened and actively plots the fight against the British. 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. The three women seek refuge with the wealthy Hindu family of Lala Ramjimal Kulbhushan Kharbanda. Lala is torn between his loyalty for India and his privileged position under the British. However, matters are taken out of his hand by Javed Khan who barges into Lalas 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 intense feelings of Javed for her daughter Ruth, Miriam Labadoor mother cleverly makes an agreement with Javed that she would only give her daughters hand to Javed if British were defeated. At 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 illorganized Indian forces. In a stormy scene, Sarfaraz destroys Javeds pigeon coops and sets his pets free after he finds out that Indian forces have lost the Battle for Delhi.

Source: Wikipedia