Kitaab

Kitaab

Year: 1977

Runtime: 124 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Gulzar

Drama

Director Sampooran Singh Gulzar’s insightful comic drama aims to capture the unique perspective of childhood.

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Timeline & Setting – Kitaab (1977)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Kitaab (1977). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Village, City

The story shifts between a rural village and a bustling city in India, highlighting the contrast between simplicity and modern pressures. The village life is close-knit and protective, while the city offers schooling and opportunity but also greater scrutiny. Trains linking the two spaces act as a conduit for travel, transition, and growth.

🏡 Village 🏙️ City 🚆 Train journeys

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:06

Main Characters – Kitaab (1977)

Meet the key characters of Kitaab (1977), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Babla (Master Raju)

A curious village boy who longs for freedom and new experiences. He enjoys the antics of street life, street magic, and companionship with Pappu, yet he is unsettled by the discipline and expectations of schooling. His journey hints at a shift from playful innocence to a sense of responsibility as he navigates between two worlds.

👶 Curious 🎭 Street life 📚 Education

Babla's Mother (Dina Pathak)

A loving and pragmatic mother who sends Babla to his sister in the city for better schooling. She hopes for his growth and safety, yet she remains a steady anchor for him and ultimately welcomes his return. Her actions reflect a balance between care and discipline.

👩 Mother 💞 Family 🧭 Guidance

Mrs. Komal Gupta (Vidya Sinha)

Babla's sister in the city who hosts him and represents adult expectations and boundaries. She and her husband press for academic success and proper conduct, illustrating the push-and-pull between a child's dreams and real-world pressures. Her presence marks the shift from village naivety to urban responsibility.

👧 Sister 🏫 Authority 🏙️ City life

Pappu (Master Tito)

Babla's classmate and friend, a playful and inquisitive companion who shares in the urban adventures and curiosity about life beyond the village. Their friendship highlights the joys of childhood discovery and the allure of the unknown. Pappu helps fuel Babla's sense of wonder and mischief.

🧒 Friend 🎈 Playful curiosity

Train Passenger (Asit Sen)

A fellow traveler encountered during Babla's train journey back towards the village. This moment on the train underscores the film's themes of travel, transition, and the unpredictability of life on the rails. The encounter serves as a quiet counterpoint to the bustling city and the quiet village.

🚆 Train travel 🧳 Journey

Ticket Collector (Ranvir Raj)

The authority who catches Babla for riding the train without a ticket, embodying the consequences of breaking rules. This moment exposes the vulnerability of a child caught between need, curiosity, and the system's rigid structure. His scene reinforces the film's realism about systemic discipline and its impact on the young.

🎟️ Authority 🧭 Rules

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:06

Major Themes – Kitaab (1977)

Explore the central themes of Kitaab (1977), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👶 Innocence

Babla's childlike curiosity drives his exploration of street magic, sweets, and classroom dynamics. The film contrasts innocence with the harsher judgments of adults and the schooling system. This tension reveals how innocence meets the real world and shapes his coming-of-age.

🌱 Growing Up

The story tracks a transition from carefree play to responsibility as Babla faces rules, expectations, and consequences. He learns that life is not as simple as it seems and that happiness often requires effort and discipline. His decision to return home embodies a maturing choice between family and personal aspirations.

💸 Socioeconomic Reality

The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of poverty and inequality, underscored by moments of fear and vulnerability. Babla witnesses how economic conditions shape opportunity and dignity, especially when he is caught between two worlds. The film uses these experiences to critique how society treats children who wander from the expected path.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:06

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Kitaab Summary

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Kitaab Summary

Kitaab Timeline

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Kitaab Timeline

More About Kitaab

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More About Kitaab

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