Film 'Mohra' earned millions thanks to the villain portraying a poor blind philanthropist
Read more
Aaj Tak
www.aajtak.in

Film 'Mohra' earned millions thanks to the villain portraying a poor blind philanthropist

In the 90s, cinema was not just entertainment but a true celebration in theaters. The action-thriller blockbuster 'Mohra,' directed by Rajiv Rai in 1994, remains a vivid memory for viewers. This film, starring stars such as Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, and Raveena Tandon, was a box office sensation.

However, the real reason for the film's massive success, created on a modest budget of four crores, was not the action hero, but the cunning villain. He portrayed himself as a poor and helpless blind public figure. This refers to the legendary actor Nasiruddin Shah, whose role as 'Mr. Jindal' immortalized this film in history.

Unlike typical villains of that era, who were often aggressive and instilled fear at a glance, Gabbar Singh or Mogambo, the creators of 'Mohra' made an unexpected move. Nasiruddin Shah played 'Mr. Jindal'—a media magnate who appeared completely straightforward and calm while being blind. No one could guess that a sightless man could be the city's most dangerous criminal genius. It was his terrifying performance that stunned the audience in the cinemas.

In the film, Jindal masterfully portrays his helplessness and blindness, causing Vishal Agnihotri (Sunil Shetty), who is in prison, to fall completely for his tricks. Vishal wanted revenge for the death of his wife and sister, and Jindal began using him to eliminate enemies under the guise of purifying society. Jindal controlled him like a pawn. As police inspector Amar Saxena (Akshay Kumar) delves into the investigation, this terrible intrigue is revealed. Before the climax, the truth that the real killer and villain is the blind Nasiruddin shocks the audience.

The film, released on July 1, 1994, won the hearts of the public. Nasiruddin Shah's famous line: 'If you ask for one thing, I will give you a hundred' still resonates in people's minds. This film, created by Gulshan Rai, earned about 23 crores worldwide despite its small budget of four crores. It entered the list of two of the highest-grossing and biggest hits of 1994. However, this huge success was contributed to not only by the songs (such as 'Tu Cheez Badhi Hai Mast Mast') but also by the magnificent suspense and the powerful image of the villain.

After 32 years, this cult classic film is preparing to conquer the big screens again. 'Mohra' will return to theaters in a remastered version on November 6, 2026, 32 years after its premiere. Nevertheless, it faces serious competition during this time. On November 5, 2026, the film 'Ramayana: Part 1' directed by Nitish Tiwari, featuring stars such as Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash, is also releasing.

Similar stories

Review of 'Udta Tir': A blend of patriotism, drama, and comedy featuring Ayushmann and Sara
Read more
www.aajtak.in

Review of 'Udta Tir': A blend of patriotism, drama, and comedy featuring Ayushmann and Sara

The Bollywood film industry often attempts to combine spy plots, patriotism, and comedy to entertain audiences and evoke excitement. However, this formula does not always work. The film 'Udta Tir,' starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan, is one such attempt, merging a spy mission, identity confusion, and comedic elements. The question arises whether the film can harmoniously weave all these elements into an engaging spectacle or if the plot will become convoluted.

Despite the fact that Bollywood already has many films about patriotism and espionage, 'Udta Tir' stands out by adding a comedic touch to this mix, causing the story to gradually transform into a source of amusement. The picture's strength lies in its unique approach, where mistaken identity, espionage, and funny situations collectively entertain the audience.

In the film, Ayushmann Khurrana plays Vikrant, who believes he is an employee of the Indian intelligence agency CTS. However, the main twist is that he is actually Bilal, a Pakistani agent whose memory was lost after an accident. Subsequently, he begins to hunt his own people. This play with identities generates both comedy and suspense.

The film requires about half an hour to unfold the plot and characters, so patience may be needed at the beginning. But as the story progresses, amusing events and a series of unexpected twists create the desired atmosphere. Although the first half after the interval seems a bit sluggish, the film picks up pace later. There are no moments in the movie that leave the viewer tense; small comedic jokes and gags that appear occasionally do an excellent job of making people laugh.

Ayushmann Khurrana once again demonstrates a departure from his usual roles. He convincingly portrays the confusion and naivety of a person caught between two different identities. His performance supports the film's narrative and looks good even in comedic scenes.

Rahul Bose's performance is particularly striking. It is interesting to watch him in such a humorous role, and he repeatedly steals the public's attention. His comedic timing enhances the film's entertainment value, and his character is likely to be remembered for a long time.

The late actor Mukul Dewa also leaves his mark on the film. His contribution adds substance to the story, and his presence on screen feels special. Watching 'Udta Tir' as his last film might evoke strong emotions, as it is an important moment related to his memory for viewers.

Suhail Nayyar gets a good role and utilizes it fully. Sara Ali Khan and Smita Tambe match their characters. Furthermore, Ram Kapoor, Bridgendra Kala, and Gulshan Grover also add an element of entertainment to the plot. Thanks to the supporting cast, the comedy becomes brighter in many scenes.

The songs in the film do not make a strong impression and seem mediocre. On the contrary, the background music enhances the suspense and comedic moments of the plot. The cinematography and editing are done reasonably well, although the pacing of the narrative could be better in some places.

Director and writer Akash A Kaushik presents an entertaining film that combines patriotism, action, suspense, and comedy. Although there are moments of slowing down the pace, the powerful plot twists, Rahul Bose's brilliant comedic acting, and Ayushmann's unique style compensate for these shortcomings. If you are looking for a film where confusion caused by mistaken identity and constantly changing situations provide a reason to laugh, then 'Udta Tir' is worth watching.

A Comparison of Ravana's Portrayal in Cinema: From 'Bhukailas' of 1958 to the New Version in the Film 'Ramayana'
Read more
www.aajtak.in

A Comparison of Ravana's Portrayal in Cinema: From 'Bhukailas' of 1958 to the New Version in the Film 'Ramayana'

The journey of Shiva Tandava's image spans the period from 1958 to 2026, raising the question of whether Yash can replicate the magic created by Arvind Trivedi.

In the film 'Ramayana', released before the Dasara festival, the image of 'Ravana Tandava' is presented featuring Ranbir Kapoor as Rama and Yash as Ravana. This video clip, released for Dasara, garnered significant attention due to Yash's fierce appearance, his devotion to Shiva, and his strong screen presence.

However, alongside this grand appearance, an old question has resurfaced: is Yash capable of evoking the same magic with his Ravana that Arvind Trivedi created in Ramanan Sagar's 'Ramayana'?

The history of this narrative does not begin today, but in 1958 with the Telugu film 'Bhukailas'. Since then, from historical 'Ramayanas' on small screens to the new 'Ramayana' on the big screen, Shriva Tandava Stotra has taken various forms. Nevertheless, one character has always remained the focus—the King of Lanka, Ravana, whose identity is linked not only to his arrogance but also to his deep devotion to the god Shiva.

In 1958, Indian cinema possessed a unique charm in mythological films. It was during this period that the Telugu film 'Bhukailas' by director K. Shankar was released. This film, produced under the aegis of AVM Productions, featured Ravana played by N.T. Rama Rao. The film premiered on March 20, 1958, and also starred actors Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Jamuna.

'Bhukailas' immerses viewers in a world of mythological beliefs associated with the god Shiva and Ravana. The cinematic use of Shriva Tandava Stotra is also part of this cinematic tradition. However, it cannot be definitively proven historically that this Stotra was first shown in this film; a Telugu film with the same title also existed earlier in 1940. Therefore, it is more accurate to consider 'Bhukailas' of 1958 a significant milestone in the cinematic journey of Shiva Tandava.

But one thing was special from the beginning: Ravana was portrayed not merely as a villain, but as a scholar, a powerful warrior, and a devotee of Shiva. This contrast made the character interesting: he was as terrifying as he was majestic.

If you ask Indian audiences whose face comes to mind when mentioning Ravana, a significant number will name Arvind Trivedi. His portrayal of Ravana in Ramanan Sagar's 'Ramayana' is considered one of the most memorable roles in the history of Indian television. This television 'Ramayana', which began in 1987, brought the story of Rama to every home.

Trivedi's voice, his sharp facial expressions, regal style, and unique way of delivering lines gave Ravana such recognizability that it persists even decades later. His performance style, connected to the Shriva Tandava Stotra, became part of this unforgettable image. Here, Ravana's appearance was not filled only with anger; it also showed devotion to Shiva, pride in his own abilities, and the grandeur of his personality. It was this subtle nuance that saved Ravana from becoming just a simple villain.

Viewers were aware of his wicked deeds but could not ignore the strength of his character. Interestingly, Arvind Trivedi himself believed in religious teachings in real life. According to reports based on his old interviews, he would pray and repent after delivering harsh lines about God Rama during the filming of 'Ramayana'. This actor, who displayed Ravana's arrogance on screen, held a completely different personal faith.

This is why Arvind Trivedi's legacy is not limited to one famous line or one scene. He gave Ravana a cinematic identity by which new actors are still compared.

Now let's move to 2026, when Yash will play Ravana. Before Yash, who gained nationwide popularity through the 'KGF' franchise, was the task of embodying a completely different character. On October 20, 2026, for the Dasara festival, the video clip 'Ravan Tandava,' related to Nitish Tiwari's film 'Ramayana,' was released. His powerful and wild appearance is presented through the English title 'Rise of Asura.'

In this video, lasting about 1 minute and 55 seconds, Yash is depicted worshipping the god Shiva in the guise of Ravana. At the beginning of the video, he makes a cut on his arm and then applies a tilak on his forehead. After this, he performs Aarti before a huge statue of Shiva, and then his fierce appearance unfolds through the Tandava.

Yash's presence on screen clearly attracts attention. His look, body language, and facial expression emphasize Ravana's power and aggression. The goal of the video is not just to present a song, but to show how Ravana is conceived in this film.

This presentation also received support from major names on the musical front. The music was composed by A.R. Rahman, Vishal Dadlani provided the vocals in Hindi version, and Kumar Vishwas wrote the lyrics. This large team involved in the film's music tried to give Ravana's image a majestic sound and drama.

This video clip was released before the film's premiere. In 'Ramayana', Ranbir Kapoor plays God Rama, and Yash plays Ravana, while...

Popular