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
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.