Gol Maal

Gol Maal

Year: 1979

Runtime: 144 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Hrishikesh Mukherjee

Comedy

A man’s simple lie to secure his job escalates into more complex lies when his orthodox boss becomes suspicious.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Gol Maal yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Gol Maal (1979)

Trace every key event in Gol Maal (1979) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Interview and hire at Urmila Traders

Ramprasad, a chartered accountant and singer, learns of a job opening at Bhavani Shankar's firm Urmila Traders through his uncle Kedar. He goes for the interview dressed in a kurta and pretends he knows nothing about sports to fit Shankar's conservative image. Impressed by his humble demeanor, Shankar hires him on the spot.

Urmila Traders (Bhavani Shankar's firm)
2

The hockey lie and first exposure

A few days later, he lies about his mother being ill to obtain leave to watch a hockey match. Shankar, who secretly enjoys sports, attends the same match and spots Sharma in the crowd. The next day Sharma doubles down by claiming it was his clean-shaven twin brother Lucky at the match.

Hockey stadium
3

Double life begins: Lucky the tutor

Convinced by the lies, Bhavani Shankar brings Lucky to teach music to his daughter Urmila. Sharma shaves his mustache and adopts the Lucky persona, a modern, carefree man starkly different from Ramprasad. Urmila is immediately drawn to Lucky's charm.

Bhavani Shankar's residence
4

The mother disguise

To meet Bhavani Shankar's request for Sharma's mother, Sharma enlists Kamala Srivastava, a socialite, to pretend to be his mother during the visit. Kamala agrees and accompanies Sharma to the meeting, creating an elaborate ruse. The plan sows seeds for further complications when Shankar later interacts with Kamala.

Bhavani Shankar's home
5

Kamala's exposure at a party

At a party, Shankar recognizes Kamala and confronts her; she continues the deception by claiming she has a twin sister to confuse him further. The mistaken identities deepen the farce and strain the relationships around Urmila. The lie sets up new conflicts for the ensemble.

Party venue
6

Marriage pressure and Urmila's resistance

Bhavani Shankar notices Urmila's fondness for Lucky and pushes for a marriage between Urmila and Ramprasad, whom he believes is a better match. Urmila resists, torn between her affection for Lucky and family duty. The conflict heightens as the truth behind Lucky's existence looms.

Shankar's circle and Urmila's surroundings
7

Truth revealed and pursuit begins

Sharma reveals the truth to Urmila and resolves to drop the Lucky persona. They tell Shankar that Lucky ran away, while Urmila agrees to marry Ramprasad. Shankar notices Sharma's mustache, misinterpreting it as proof that Lucky killed and impersonated Ramprasad to marry Urmila, and gives chase.

City streets
8

Arrest, release, and realization

The chase ends with Shankar's arrest, and after his release he discovers that Ramprasad and Urmila are already married and that the situation is more complex than he believed. He initially refuses to bless the union, demanding explanations. Kedar and Deven step in to clarify everything, winning him over.

City/urban area
9

Concession and forgiveness

Shankar concedes the truth, blesses the marriage between Ramprasad and Urmila, and even shaves off his own mustache as a gesture of acceptance. The family begins to reconcile as the masquerade is explained and understood. This marks a turning point in Shankar's rigid worldview.

Shankar's residence
10

Happy ending

Ramprasad and Urmila are married with Shankar's blessing, bringing the chaotic double life to a close. The sister Ratna finds stability, and the family enjoys a sense of harmony as Sharma learns the value of honesty. The movie ends on a note of reconciliation and warmth.

Urmila's / Bhavani Shankar's circle

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:50

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Snowballing comedies of errors like Gol Maal

A simple deception escalates into an uncontrollable web of hilarious lies.If you enjoyed the chaotic chain reaction of lies in Gol Maal, you'll love these other movies where a small misunderstanding explodes into a hilarious farce. Discover similar comedies built on witty dialogue and clever deceptions that keep you laughing.

farcicalchaoticwittyplayfulescalatinglighthearted

Narrative Summary

The narrative begins with a minor deception, often for professional or romantic gain. Each attempt to cover up the initial lie introduces new characters and complications, systematically building the chaos until the protagonist is juggling multiple false identities in a climactic, riotous confrontation before the truth is humorously revealed.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a specific comedic structure of escalating absurdity, a lighthearted tone where no real harm is done, and a focus on the intellectual humor of maintaining a complex lie rather than slapstick.

Lighthearted workplace comedies similar to Gol Maal

Navigating quirky bosses and strict rules with cleverness and humor.Fans of Gol Maal's humorous take on employer-employee relationships will enjoy these movies. Find similar stories about clever employees, traditional bosses, and the funny situations that arise from clashing personalities and office rules, all delivered with a feel-good charm.

amusingupliftingwittyplayfuloffice humorlighthearted

Narrative Summary

The story revolves around a central workplace relationship, often between a modern, free-spirited employee and a traditional, strict boss. The conflict arises from clashing values, leading the protagonist to employ creative and humorous strategies to achieve their goals, ultimately resulting in a resolution that bridges the generational or ideological gap.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a focus on the comedy found within professional hierarchies, a light emotional weight where stakes are social rather than serious, and a tone that pokes fun at bureaucracy and tradition without becoming cynical.

Unlock the Full Story of Gol Maal

Don't stop at just watching — explore Gol Maal in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Gol Maal is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Gol Maal Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Gol Maal, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Gol Maal Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Gol Maal

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Gol Maal. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Gol Maal

Gol Maal Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Gol Maal that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Gol Maal Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Gol Maal

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Gol Maal: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Gol Maal

Similar Movies to Gol Maal

Discover movies like Gol Maal that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.