The story, set in 1971 at the time of the war between India and Pakistan, is based on the novel of the same name by Rohinton Mistry, an Indian now living in Toronto. "Such a Long Journey" takes place mostly in and around a large apartment complex, its courtyard and the street, which the municipal authorities want to widen so that even more choking diesel fumes can cloud the air. We meet the hero, Gustad (Roshan Seth), in the process of defending the old concrete wall that protects his courtyard from the street, and later he strikes a bargain with an itinerant artist (Ranjit Chowdhry), who covers the wall with paintings from every conceivable religious tradition, with the thought that all of the groups represented will join in defending the wall.
Gustad Noble
Dilnavaz Noble
Ghulam
Jimmy Bilimoria
Pavement Artist
Dinshawji
Tehmul
Mrs. Kutpitia
Sohrab Noble
Darius Noble
Inspector Bamji
Mr. Rabadi
Mrs. Rabadi
Jasmine Rabadi
Freny Pastikia
Laurie Coutinho
Mr. Madon
Joshi
Bhimsen
Peerbhoy
Hydraulic Hema
Prostitute
Morcha Director
Gustad's Father
Gustad's Mother
Gustad (Age 20)
Gustad (Age 10)
Sohrab (Age 8)
Gustad's Grandmother
Milkman
Street Butcher
Sister Constance
Waiter
Taxi Driver
Worshipper
Nusli
Kavasji
Alamai
Municipal Worker #1
Municipal Worker #2
Dasturji Priest
Dr. Paymaster