Khal Nayak

I watched this film because it got one vote for Sight and Sound's once-a-decade list of the best films ever made, probably the only mainstream Bollywood movie ever to have achieved that distinction (though Satyajit Ray's works receive a number of votes). I wouldn't put it on my top 10 list of all time, as that one critic did, but I do think the film is wonderful.

It's not sophisticated. I'm pretty new to Bollywood films, having only watched a few highly-regarded ones so far, but my impression of them is that they are primarily about basic emotions (family, love) deeply felt. Broadly drawn emotions, no subtlety here. But these films seem to get to me, and this one did more than any of the others I've watched.

The sound effects are bad, and there's a small amount of broad humor that I think detracts from the film. The musical parts are pretty good. I think the lead was wonderfully cast, and the women are beautiful, as they invariably are in Indian films.

I still havent made it all the way through this film yet - 3 hours of standard Bollywood storyline. I keep having to rewind the dvd to the song Choli Ke Peeche - the song + the dancing is excellent, everyone should see at least that scene and appreciate how well choreographed Indian films can be!

Khalnayak is the movie that made Sunjay Dutt into the star he is today. His career is judged as the movies he made before Khalnayak and thereafter.

The film is a pop cultural phenomenon in India. All of the songs are still sung today by the children of Bombay. The role of the villian essayed by Dutt is one of the most memorable characters in Indian cinematic history. This is hard to beleive since Dutt is such a wooden actor.

The film was quite controversial due to one of its songs and the fact a hero was going to play a evil villian. But Ghai (a mediocre director) pulled off an amazing film with a worthy lesson for the vagrants of India.

This movie was one of the decades biggest hits, and will go down in Indian cinema as one of the best action thrillers of all time.

Subhash Ghai is an overrated director, his films barring KARZ and some more were nothing out of the world and had the same themes But some were entertaining enough

KHALNAYAK is one of them

The film has a very old fashioned story and the plot too moves in a predictable manner The way Sanju's character is handled deserves kudos In fact it takes center stage throughout

The entire run away from the jail and scenes with Madhuri and his change of heart towards her is well handled The entire transformation is well handled

The film does get clichéd at many places and tries to be a potboiler of it's times plus something else and hence the mishmash kinda feeling

Many scenes are too formulaic and the scenes towards the end aren't captivating and too filmy there are many flaws too in the film The scenes between Sanju and Jackie are wonderful

Subhash Ghai handles the film well though there are some flaws Music is good enough, CHOLI KE PEECHE and all are good Cinematography is good, editing is okay, though the film is too lengthy

Sanjay Dutt enjoys himself in the role he has done many times but he adds novelty to it, the way he acts though will be called too over the top by others but he handles the role very well His transformation is well handled and he actually overshadows every other actor Jackie Shroff is as usual Madhuri is excellent in her role which is at times not well written Pramod Moutho is okay Rakhee is her irritating self Anupam Kher overacts but does add some funny moments

Like many of Bollywood movies from the pre-millienia era, themes of cause and effect are heavy factors in the reality of life in crime driven cities in the world. In this case the anti- hero (Ballu) played by Sanjay Dutt, intensely well. Many scenes seems to parable the realities of his life at that current time and perhaps the inner demons he faced.

In the world of crime, there are puppets and then there are puppeteers, poverty and "purposeful terrorism" in the name of business. Madurai Dixit plays her beautiful self, graceful and fiesty as always. Watch it to understand the cause and effect of crime in poverty driven societies and how we create the villains for our heroes. Perhaps it is the simplest definition of human archetype; conflict.