When Iqbal gets separated from his mother and brother by a flood, he becomes a coolie at Mumbai railway station. He then fights for the coolies rights and faces challenges from a businessman.
Stunts
That train fight scene — no CGI, just Bachchan and actual death.
Acting
Amitabh's 'angry young man' evolution into 'angry working-class man.'
Practical Effects
Bombay Central station rebuilt on sets — chaos as craftsmanship.
Director
Manmohan Desai
Amitabh Bachchan
Iqbal Khan
Waheeda Rehman
Salma
Rishi Kapoor
Sunny
Amrish Puri
John D'Costa
Rati Agnihotri
Julie D'Costa
Kader Khan
Zafar Khan
Shoma Anand
Deepa Iyengar
Suresh Oberoi
Vicky Purie
Om Shivpuri
Mr. Om Puri
Nilu Phule
Nathu (Mama)
Goga Kapoor
Goga
Mukri
Mr. Iyengar
Shubha Khote
Mrs. Savitri Iyengar
Puneet Issar
Bob
Satyendra Kapoor
Aslam
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Amitabh was critically injured during filming when a table corner pierced his abdomen during a fight scene; he was clinically dead before revival. The film's release became a national event.
The 'Coolie No. 1' title and red uniform became iconic working-class symbols; the film's tagline 'Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota' preceded the famous 1985 film and entered Hindi slang for stoic masculinity.
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