Aawaz (1956)
A haunting Hindi drama about a schoolteacher whose hidden debts unravel his family and expose the fragile dignity of the poor.
Aawaz - Movie Information
- Original Title: Aawaz
- Release Year: 1956
- Directed by: Zia Sarhadi
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 2h 26m
- Original Language: Hindi
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 1, 1956 (India)
Aawaz - Plot
Mr. Bhatnagar alias Masterji comes from a poor family, and lives on a day to day basis. He has a daughter and a son, alongwith his wife, who he has fooled into believing that he has saved quite a bit of money, to retire happily, and to get his daughter married. Masterji's dreams turn into a nightmare, as he is unable to meet his debtors, loses his job, and dies tragically, leaving his daughter to the mercy of a cruel society; his son, who has taken up crime, and his wife desolate, and destitute.
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Aawaz - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Zia Sarhadi
Main Cast
- Nalini Jaywant
- Nazir Hussain
- Usha Kiran
- Rajendra Kumar
- Zul Vellani
- Anwar Hussain
- Leela Chitnis
- Jagdeep
- D.K. Sapru
- Murad
Aawaz - FAQs
What is Aawaz about?
Aawaz follows Masterji, a poor schoolteacher who has deceived his family into believing he has savings for a comfortable retirement and his daughter's wedding. When his debts catch up with him and he loses his job, the illusion shatters, leading to tragedy and leaving his family destitute and broken.
Who directed the 1956 film Aawaz?
Aawaz was directed by Zia Sarhadi, a filmmaker known for his socially conscious Hindi cinema. Sarhadi brought a raw, empathetic lens to the story of working-class hardship, making Aawaz a quietly powerful portrait of middle-class desperation in post-independence India.
Who are the main actors in Aawaz?
The film stars Nalini Jaywant and Nazir Hussain in the central roles, with Usha Kiran, Rajendra Kumar, Zul Vellani, Anwar Hussain, Leela Chitnis, Jagdeep, D.K. Sapru, and Murad rounding out the cast in key supporting parts.
When was Aawaz released?
Aawaz was released on January 1, 1956, in India. The film arrived during a particularly fertile period for socially engaged Hindi cinema, when filmmakers were actively exploring themes of poverty, class struggle, and the pressures facing ordinary Indian families.
Does Aawaz have a tragic ending?
Yes, Aawaz ends on a deeply sorrowful note. Masterji dies unable to repay his debts, leaving his wife destitute, his daughter at the mercy of an unforgiving society, and his son having turned to crime. It is an unflinching look at how financial despair can unravel an entire family.
What themes does Aawaz explore?
Aawaz digs into themes of poverty, pride, and the crushing weight of social expectation. It examines how a man's desperate need to appear respectable leads him to deceive those he loves most, and how that deception ultimately destroys the very family he was trying to protect.
How long is the film Aawaz?
Aawaz runs for approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes (146 minutes). For a 1956 Hindi drama, that runtime gives the story ample room to develop its characters and build the slow, inevitable sense of tragedy at the heart of the film.
What are some films similar to Aawaz?
If Aawaz resonates with you, films like Water (2005), Tumbbad (2018), Pariyerum Perumal (2018), and Sui Dhaaga - Made in India (2018) explore similarly rich themes of social struggle, class, and human resilience. Despatch (2024) and The Hungry (2017) also share a comparable dramatic intensity.
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