Kala Bazar

Kala Bazar

Year: 1960

Runtime: 163 mins

Language: Hindi

DramaRomanceCrimeActionMusic

The Black Market A man sells movie tickets on the black market, but starts to have a change of heart after he falls in love.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Kala Bazar (1960)

Trace every key event in Kala Bazar (1960) 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

Raghuveer loses his job and faces poverty

Raghuveer, a poor bus conductor, gets fired after an argument with a passenger. With an ailing mother and two younger siblings to support, he confronts mounting financial pressure. The layoff becomes the catalyst for his drastic plan to make money.

early in the story Bombay
2

He robs Advocate Desai to start capital

To kickstart his illicit venture, Raghuveer robs Advocate Desai of Rs 5000. He needs cash to bootstrap a black market for movie tickets. The audacious theft marks the beginning of his illegal empire.

soon after firing Advocate Desai's office
3

He builds a network of black marketers outside cinemas

Raghuveer forms a growing network of ticket peddlers outside major cinema halls in Bombay. They sell tickets illegally, skirting the regular distribution. The enterprise expands quickly as word spreads among the poor and homeless.

shortly after Desai robbery Outside cinema halls, Bombay
4

Premiere night proves the venture's profitability

At the Mother India premiere, Raghuveer and Kalu watch the crowd swell as film stars arrive. Ticket demand surges and their black-market operation thrives on the frenzy. The event demonstrates the profitability of their scheme.

premiere night Mother India premiere, Bombay
5

Ticket prices soar as success grows

Raghuveer sells his last ticket for 100 rupees, the price having shot up from two rupees. The success of the venture brings wealth and confidence. He and Kalu push further, expanding their network.

after premiere Bombay cinema circuit
6

Expansion and recruitment of new partners

With profits flowing, Raghuveer recruits a growing number of poor and homeless thieves into the operation. The questionable enterprise becomes a substantial source of income for him. The city begins to see him as a rising, if illicit, force.

late after success Across Bombay cinema halls
7

Ganesh challenges Raghuveer and joins him

Ganesh dares to challenge Raghuveer, and Raghuveer defeats him in a street confrontation. Demonstrating his dominance, Raghuveer gains respect and eventually secures Ganesh's cooperation. This marks a turning point in the business.

soon after expansion Bombay streets
8

Raghuveer buys a Marine Drive flat

Raghuveer buys a spacious flat on Marine Drive, signaling his transformation from a struggling conductor to a wealthy man. The luxury provides his family a higher standard of living. Yet the seed of change has already taken root in him.

after wealth accumulation Marine Drive, Bombay
9

Alka discovers the black market and Raghuveer's interest grows

A group of students buys tickets from Raghuveer, and Alka discovers they are purchased illegitimately. She tears the tickets, making Raghuveer feel seen and vulnerable. Raghuveer is drawn to Alka, who has a complicating presence in his life.

after student purchase incident Cinema hall
10

Nand travels overseas; trip to Ooty on the horizon

Alka is in love with Raghuveer, but her boyfriend Nand Kumar Chattopadhyay promises not to repeat his actions. When Nand earns a scholarship and travels overseas, Alka's parents decide to take her to Ooty to distract her. Raghuveer senses this as an opening to pursue her.

Nand goes abroad; trip planned Ooty
11

Raghuveer pursues Alka in Ooty

Raghuveer follows the family to Ooty and tries to woo Alka on their vacation. He serenades her with 'Apni To Har Aah Ek Toofan Hai,' a performance that doubles as a veiled confession. He also helps Alka's father with his back pain, earning their trust and friendship.

during the trip Ooty
12

A failed reform attempt and return to crime

Moved by his feelings for Alka, Raghuveer attempts to abandon black marketing and urges his partners to pursue honest work. Despite his pleas, the others eventually return to their old ways, challenging his resolve. This marks his initial attempt to reform.

after Ooty Bombay and meeting spots with partners
13

Reunion in Bombay and new love

Raghuveer and Alka reconnect in Bombay, and she falls for him. She writes to Nand asking him to forget her, signaling a new chapter. The two begin to openly pursue each other while grappling with their respective pasts.

after return from Ooty Bombay
14

Arrest and courtroom clash with Desai

When Nand returns, Raghuveer's budding romance is complicated, leading to a tense confrontation. Raghuveer is eventually arrested for black marketing, and the courtroom duel with Advocate Desai unfolds, revealing the moral complexities of Kala Bazaar.

after Nand returns Bombay court
15

Ending: rain-soaked walk under one umbrella

The courtroom drama culminates in a somber final moment as Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman walk together under a single umbrella in the rain. Their relationship survives the turmoil, leaving a note of cautious optimism as the film closes.

end Bombay rain

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 09:31

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