Young Krishna struggles to survive among the drug dealers, pimps, and prostitutes in the back alleys and gutters of India.Young Krishna struggles to survive among the drug dealers, pimps, and prostitutes in the back alleys and gutters of India.Young Krishna struggles to survive among the drug dealers, pimps, and prostitutes in the back alleys and gutters of India.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 13 wins & 8 nominations total
Ram Murthy
- Mad Man
- (as Ram Moorti)
Sarfuddin Qureshi
- Koyla
- (as Sarfuddin Quarassi)
Anita Kanwar
- Rekha Golub
- (as Aneeta Kanwar)
Krishna Thapa
- Nepali Middleman
- (as Kishan Thapa)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIrrfan Khan made an appearance in this film as a writer, one of his first appearances.
- GoofsThe day Chaipav escapes the Child Reformation Home, the Superintendent and his assistant are watching the Semi-Final of the 1987 Cricket World Cup (as evident from the commentary), which was held on 5th November, 1987. But when Chaipav returns to the red-light district the same day, a procession can be seen carrying a huge Ganpati idol, so the day must be Ganesh Chaturthi (installation day) or Anant Chaturdashi (Ganpati Visarjan- immersion day). However, in 1987, the dates for Ganesh Chaturthi and Anant Chaturdashi were 28th August and 6th September, respectively. Thus, the semi-final and Ganesh Chaturthi/Visarjan did not take place on the same day.
- Quotes
Rekha Golub: [To Baba] Just like a customer.
- Crazy creditsEnding credits: no guts no glory 52 locations 52 days what problem? no problem
Featured review
A story of lost innocence
Like the 'Square Circle' which came after it, Mira Nair's film is a wonderful counterpoint to traditional Bollywood cinema, depicting issues that many in India would like conveniently swept under the carpet. Filled with humanity and compassion, the film does have a parallel with Bollywood dramas as it too is about 'escapism'. However, the story shows how these dreams are illusory; the silent 'Sweet Sixteen' showing her romantic photograph - a pretence - as her brothel madam hawks her virginity to a prospective buyer; Krishna's hopes of being forgiven and returning home to his family; the prostitute Rekha's hopes of a 'family life' with the pimp Baba.
I particularly liked the way Nair paralleled childhood innocence with adult cynicism and cruelty. The final scene where Krishna the teaboy weeps for his lost innocence and at what he has become is very moving; like the drug-addict Chillum, he has 'forgotten' how he first came to Bombay and now only sees a life of despair and suffering.
I particularly liked the way Nair paralleled childhood innocence with adult cynicism and cruelty. The final scene where Krishna the teaboy weeps for his lost innocence and at what he has become is very moving; like the drug-addict Chillum, he has 'forgotten' how he first came to Bombay and now only sees a life of despair and suffering.
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- nqure
- Dec 17, 2001
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Hello Bombay!
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,080,046
- Gross worldwide
- $2,080,758
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