Shalimar

Shalimar

Year: 1978

Runtime: 137 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Krishna Shah

ActionCrime

Kumar, a thief, poses as Raja Bahadur Singh’s son to attend Sir John Locksley’s island gathering, where guests K.P.W. Iyengar (Romeo), Dr. Dubari, Colonel Columbus and Countess Sylvia Rasmussen are criminals. Sir John seeks a successor and forces them to steal the ruby Shalimar (135 crore rupees) from a guarded vault, promising death for any failure. Kumar’s ruse is uncovered, yet he must join the lethal heist.

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Timeline & Setting – Shalimar (1978)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Shalimar (1978). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Sir John Locksley Island, Sir John Locksley Palace, Local hospital

The action unfolds on the secluded island of Sir John Locksley, where the palace sits behind a minefield guarding the Shalimar diamond. The island setting blends opulent luxury with deadly security, turning the gathering into a perilous stage for schemes and betrayals. A hospital on the island provides care for the injured Raja Bahadur Singh and becomes a backdrop for the ongoing ruse that drives the plot.

🏝️ Island setting 🏰 Palace security 🩺 Hospital scene 🗺️ Exclusive gathering

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:57

Main Characters – Shalimar (1978)

Meet the key characters of Shalimar (1978), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

S. S. Kumar (Dharmendra)

A thief-on-the-run who infiltrates the gathering by stealing the invitation and disguising himself as Bahadur Singh, Jr. He is clever, adaptable, and ultimately revealed to be a CBI officer on a mission to arrest the criminal masterminds.

🧭 Disguise 🎯 Mission 🗝️ Double life 🎭 Deception

Colonel Columbus

A mute, seemingly loyal attendee who dies early in the diamond-heist test, with his supposed scream adding to the mystery of the game.

🔇 Silent 🕳️ Hidden 🧭 Mystery

Countess Sylvia Rasmussen

An acrobat and one of the invitees, she uses her charm and agility to attempt the heist, meeting a fatal end in the test.

🤹 Acrobat 🧠 Cunning 💎 Greed

Dr. Dubari

A physician-like follower of multiple world religions who participates in the heist and embodies calculated risk and calculated moral ambiguity.

🧩 Multidisciplinary 🧪 Doctor 🗺️ Intrigue

K.P.W. Iyengar (Romeo)

A flirtatious, cocky attendee whose charm makes him a threat in the competition; ultimately a victim in the deadly game.

🎲 Risk-taker 🕶️ Charmer

Sheila Enders

Kumar’s former fiancée who now serves Sir John; she recognises Kumar and faces the tension between love and loyalty.

💖 Love 🕊️ Loyalty 🥂 Reunion

Sir John Locksley

The dying host who reveals himself as not handicapped, having faked cancer to gather criminals for a pirate-like test, seeking a worthy successor.

👑 Power 🕯️ Mastermind 🧪 Deception

Raja Bahadur Singh

The noble owner of the Shalimar diamond, later revealed to be the real father whom the theft test targets; his hospital bedside visit is part of the ruse.

🏛️ Nobility 💎 Diamond 🗡️ Intrigue

Dogro

A tribal figure involved in guarding the island and its secrets; part of the local layer of danger surrounding the gem.

🐕 Guard 🗺️ Tribal stakes 🧭 Local danger

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:57

Major Themes – Shalimar (1978)

Explore the central themes of Shalimar (1978), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Deception and Identity

Kumar infiltrates the criminals’ circle by masquerading as Bahadur Singh, Jr., entering a world where appearances mask hidden motives. The invitation-only gathering becomes a theater for disguises and calculated moves, as each guest tests the others' trust. The story toys with truth and illusion, culminating in a revelation that redefines the entire mission.

💎 Greed and Test

The Shalimar diamond is the fulcrum of the plot, a prize that motivates every action and justifies extreme risk. Sir John uses the gem as a cruel benchmark to gauge who can be trusted with power. The test exposes characters’ darkest impulses, blurring lines between criminals and investigators. The gem’s allure drives the tension and moral questions at the core of the film.

⚔️ Power and Betrayal

Sir John’s manipulation—faking cancer to lure criminals—exposes a hunger for control and a desire to appoint a successor. Loyalties shift as the players navigate a deadly hierarchy, and the tribal leaders’ murder of John shatters the illusion of authority. The twist reframes the events as a pursuit of justice through a dangerous game rather than simple theft.

💑 Love and Justice

Kumar’s romance with Sheila Enders provides a human counterpoint to the caper, grounding the story in personal stakes beyond the crime. Their eventual union signals redemption after a web of deception. The closing of the arc suggests that love and lawful pursuit can triumph after a cascade of schemes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:57

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Shalimar Summary

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Shalimar Summary

Shalimar Timeline

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Shalimar Timeline

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