User reviews

This is one of the better action films to come out of Bollywood. After 'Ghayal' and 'Damini', the Santoshi-Sunny team has done it again. The idea for the movie came from a quote of Mahatma Gandhi in which he says that if he had to choose between cowardice and violence, he would have chosen violence.

Beginning with Om Puri's character getting killed by the henchmen of Katia(Danny Denzongpa) in Bombay, we go to Banaras, where Kashi(Sunny Deol) is a wrestler and dutiful son. His father(Amrish Puri) has a throat problem so they go to Bombay to treat it. Once in Bombay, the two face a culture shock. Kashi is amazed at the people's apathic attitude.

Due to circumstances, Kashi ignites the enmity of Katia and his six brothers.

The action in the movie is fast paced and relentless. You can feel the escalating tension on screen. Performances are superb, the direction is tight (although it took 5 years to complete this movie).

Sunny Deol has given one of the more powerful performances of his life in this movie. Amrish Puri has given a great performance, comedic for the first half-hour of the film. Danny is menacing, however his get-up could have been better(his hair is silly). Meenakshi gave a decent performance. The songs are good and are mercifully few in number.

All in all, it is a great action movie.

Enjoy!

Superb outstanding movie by story and acting Sunny deol , dialogues and expression of Sunny deol made reality shown on camera , this movie only superhit basis of Sunny deol acting I think nobody comparable in the bollywood like Sunny deol action and dialogues.

Of all the Indian action films I have seen recently, including Sholay, China Gate, and Bichoo, I would have to place Ghattak at the top. There may be others but I have yet to see them. The action and fight scenes are very well done and realistic which shows that considerable effort went into making them just right. Too often, we see ultra special effects try to make up for sloppy editing and slip-shod action. Nothing looked fakey in Ghattak which enhanced the overall effect and proved that Bollywood can make decent action flics after all. Ghattak was also not marred by feeble comedy attempts and the songs blended well with the action so that nothing slowed the pace of the film.

Ghatak is one of my all time favorite movies and easily my best Sunny Deol movie .The dialogues of Ghaatak are excellent because they are very very realistic.One can watch this movie only to hear brilliant dialogues.The songs are very good especially Nigahon Ne cheraa hai and Koi Jaaye to le aaye by Alka Yagnik.This movie is a must watch for every person who want to understand what is the true meaning of one's right in life.Only Sunny Deol could do full justification to the role of a macho,manly,honest and tough person like Kaashi's character in this movie.Amrish Puri has also acted brilliantly in this movie.Ghaatak is definitely a must watch movie for any Bollywood fan.You will never repent after watching this movie completely if you believe in meaningful cinema.

The best thing with the movie is that no action scene will seems indigestible or impossible to you. Sunny has performed all the scenes is the best possible way and I think it is impossible to improve perfection. This much awaited Sunny-Santoshi took 5 yrs to finally see the way to theaters but it hit the bullseye. The Dialogues were perfect and well written. The dialogues during Sunny-Danny encounter after cage fighting were superb: Danny- Kathia respects brave man/lion Sunny- Even a lion captured in a cage is a mere dog Danny- So what, if you will work for me you will get wealth, reward and above all people will fear you Sunny- The one who has hollow bones let others fear

The tongue lashing and abusing during the ritual of Sunnys brother between him and kathia and 6 brothers was superb. You can feel yourself as a part of movie; Sunny did his job with not even a 1% flaw. No exaggeration to say that he is the best action star in Bolloywood. The emotional sequence between Sunny-Ambrish after Kathia spoils them was fundu. Songs were melodic and seems part of the movie, so you will enjoy them.

After the grand success of Ghayal and Damini, This was another blockbuster entertainer from Raj Kumar Santoshi, Sunny Deol and Meenakshi. This is one of the best action movies and probably the best action movie of Sunny Deol. The movie begins with Om Puri raising his voice in favour of shopkeepers in his area against illegal occupancy of their land by Katia played by Danny. He gets killed by Katia. Sunny with his father travels to Bombay to his step brother for the treatment of his father. Sunny comes to know the problems of shopkeepers over there and stands with them in getting their land freed from Danny. Unable to get any help from police, he himself fights against Katia.

All the characters have done justice to their roles. Nobody can match charisma of Sunny Deol when it comes to action scenes. He is one of the best action actors ever in the history of Indian cinema. The fighting scenes of Sunny Deol are excellent in the movie. Only Sunny Deol can do justice to such kind of roles.Amrish Puri has played positive role, father of Sunny Deol, in this movie. The chemistry between Sunny and Amrish is the best. There are few emotional scenes between both. When doctor tells Sunny that his father is having cancer, Sunny comes to his father, pretends that his father will be alright and starts weeping in his father's arms. I believe this is the best emotional scene in the movie. Danny is always best when it comes to negative roles.

Meenakshi is as good as usual. Songs are also good though few. "Nigaho Ne Cheda Hai Dil Ka Tarana" is very sweet and melodious song. Item song "Koi Jaye To Le Jaaye" is also very good dance number. There could be room to accommodate one more song.This movie is the must watch for action movie buffs specially Sunny Deol fans.

Sunny Deol has been my hero for a very long time, and I consider Ghatak to be the film in which he plays his most intense and endearing role.

Plot: Shambu Nath (played the late Amrish Puri) lives in Banaras. Shambu Nath has been coughing up blood for some time, so his adopted son Kashi Nath (Sunny Deol), wants him to go and visit his son Shiv Nath (K.K Raina) who has married and moved (without his father's consent) to the outskirts of a big city and has setup a small business of a bookstore there.

They arrive, and are welcomed by Shiv. Shiv arranges for a medical checkup at a hospital for Shambu.

One day it so happens that Kashi defends a helpless woman (played by Ila Arun) against some thugs. This sparks off a raging war between the leader of the thugs called Katya played by (Danny Denzongpa).

Will Shambu be cured? Will Kashi prevail against the tyranny of Katya? See the film to find out.

The film is directed by Shree Rajkumar Santoshi who has directed such blockbuster hits like Damini (1993), Ghayal (1990), Pukar (2000), Andaz Apna Apna(1994) and China Gate(1998).

Other notable stars in the film are Om Puri, Meenakshi Sheshadri, Tinnu Annand, Mukesh Rishi, Rohini Hattangadi, and Viju Khote.

Well, I did not have huge expectations from Ghatak, but it worked for me on several levels, although the overall product is not particularly impressive. Rajkumar Santoshi is one director who has done some very good films, my favourite being Damini, Lajja and The Legend of Bhagat Singh, but this one is a mixed bag. The movie has good and bad points, but it is quite uneven and works mostly in parts. It started off very well, and looked rather promising especially because of the father-son relationship, which was beautifully portrayed. Sunny Deol is the devoted son, Amrish Puri is the kind, idealistic and caring father who suffers from cancer and yet never lets the nearing death deter him. Even the romantic scenes, which are given minimal screen time, are simple and pleasant. One of the best scenes in the film is the one in which Sunny is told of his father's state and lack of chances to survive. The subsequent interaction between the father and son when the latter tries to contain himself but finally breaks down, is so real and emotional that it really tags at the heartstrings.

But then we also get a typical Hindi film villain in the form of Danny Denzongpa, and what initially looked like a touching drama about family struggle gradually transforms into a messy, painfully loud and over-the-top action flick. Too bad the story took such a drastic turn because rarely do we get to see films about relationships in families, and while it is according to me one of the best things about this film, it is totally sidelined by the end of the show. There was one particular scene when the villain humiliates the father but unfortunately it looks embarrassing and unintentionally funny. The movie does try to bring about some substance, like the moment when the father convinces the son to use his brain rather than his strength. This is a novel concept, but it is eventually poorly executed, lacking depth and relying on too much melodrama, ultimately failing to convey the planned message. In the middle we also get some unnecessary sub-plots including the disclosure of the leading lady's true identity. I cannot think of a more clichéd and banal way to ruin a film.

The film's acting wavers between good, average and bad, and the problem is that so do the performances. Sunny Deol does really well in some scenes, particularly those showing his deep care for his father and his huge grief upon finding out about the latter's health conditions. But then the film lets him down by turning him into a typical hero of sorts. Danny Denzongpa as the villain is pretty bad. Meenakshi Shshadri gets little scope and although Santoshi tries to emphasise her role by giving it a story of its own, one would expect to see a better role to complete her career. She looks beautiful and dances very well though, but it was expected. The only one who is consistently great is Amrish Puri who steals the show with his excellent performance. Whether he is a loving father, an idealistic man of high moral principles, or a cancer patient who does not let his illness take over his positivity and optimism, he is throughly convincing, heartfelt and moving. I still give Ghatak some credit for some of its high-points, Amrish Puri's performance, and Sunny Deol's one to an extent.

Rajkumar Santoshi's Ghatak makes its point loud and clear. However, it's not preachy and provides a proper plot with entertainment. Still, I feel this is one of his most underrated pictures. This was the third film with the hit trio of Rajkumar Santoshi, Sunny Deol and Amrish Puri. How one wishes they did more films together after that.

Shambu Nath is sick and needs treatment. His adopted son, Kashi takes him to mumbai to live with Shambu's real son and family. After a few days, Kashi notices something about the people in the city. He notices that they fear the gangster of that area by the name of Kathiya. One circumstances leads to another and Kashi has found himself in a war with Kathiya. However, the war is more than just a war against a gangster, Kashi is fighting against cowardice.

The best thing about the film is that it's not boring and keeps the viewer intrigued all through. Not to forget, the movie has a handful of hard-hitting scenes.

-The murder of Sachdev in the beginning. -Sunny's first scene with Danny -Danny torturing Sunny and Amrish -Sunny's revenge -Climax

However, the best scenes involve Sunny Deol and Amrish Puri together. The scene when Sunny breaks down in front of his dying father is heart-breaking.

Music is good.

Rajkumar Santoshi's direction is excellent and there's no doubt on how good of a director he is when he has the right script.

All the actors play their part perfectly. Tinnu Annand, Mukesh Rishi etc. All are great. Meenakshi is also first rate.

However, the 3 performances that make Ghatak special are of Sunny Deol, Amrish Puri and Danny. Sunny Deol is perfect for the role of the fearless man trying to live a decent life. He proves how underrated he is an actor. Amrish Puri is just brilliant! He's loud when required and controlled when he needs to be. A perfect act. Danny is a strong villain, and to go up against a strong hero such as Sunny, one needs a villain strong as Danny.

Overall, a great story about the underdog's fight against a very scared society. Recommended!

I wonder why didn't Sunny Deol get National Award for this movie for best actor. It's much much better than Ghayal for which Sunny was awarded with National Award. Though his movie 'Arjun' and 'Arjun Pandit' are also very good. But Ghatak is unmatchable. This is the best movie of all time.

Wow, salute to all those involved in the making of this piece.

Amrish will get you emotionally invested, Danny will have you cursing at the screen and Sunny will satisfy your thirst for revenge. After Ghayal this is my favourite Sunny action movie.

Campy as it is, with the same old story of one man fighting against an evil gang of seven brothers, with themes of injustice revenge, revenge and revenge thrown in, 'Ghatak' can be a fun watch up until a certain point when it just becomes repetitive. I just wonder why directors kept telling the same stories again and again back then. Thank goodness such tripe are long obsolete today.

Since Sunny Deol is the lead one can expect the hero to singlehandedly kill all the bad guys. Pretty much everything about 'Ghatak' is loud, except for most of the scenes that feature Meenakshi Sheshadri which are unfortunately very limited. The songs, though unnecessary, are pretty good. I had expected to see some awesome dance by Sheshadri but she has only one dance number where her face is loaded with excessive makeup (she still looks good though) and her costumes are abysmal.

Performance-wise Sunny Deol, Danny Denzongpa and Amrish Puri are...loud. This may not be a nice thing to say but every time Denzongpa and Puri cried I couldn't help but giggle. Anyway, Meenakshi Sheshadri is good with what she's given but the role is nothing of a challenge and I wish she had come back to do better films instead of signing off this one as her last Hindi film. Ila Arun plays the crazy woman (the crazy woman characters were also a common ingredient in Sunny Deol films).

Overall, 'Ghatak' is just another loud campy film of the 90s. Nothing new here. Nope.

A town ruled by the local goons where the law and order has no influence over the denizens and enters a naïve outsider who challenges the mob ruling the town at the cost of his family and loved ones. This seems to be a perfect milieu of a 90s potboiler which patronizes one man standing against the police or goons resulting action throughout. Same implies with "Ghatak." There is no novelty to its story or execution with the usual improbabilities.

It's evident the director got carried by the success of "Ghayal," for which he has reprised almost the same cast and followed the same style. Still the film has some interest and freshness into it due to a tight pace and fine direction it has. It took long in making which seems evident from its look and cast, but still it grips till it lasts and can be seen to savour the regular gimmicks of a 90s potboiler tightened into a taut masala flick.

Rating: 1 star out of 4.

I have never seen a better movie than this despite watching more than 400 films and this isy first review only because this movie deserve it.

The movie has best action, wonderful drama, LOL comedy, best acting, wonderful father son relationship, super dialogues, message to convey, realistic plots, and everything in this movie is amazing. Amrish and sunny relationship has worked wonders in the movie.

Even the villain did the best Danny and his team. The side actors would not let u down either.

The actress also done acting than what most actress does now a days which is just show off. She has really done well.

It is a must watch and cannot be missed.

It's Golden era of 90's Bollywood, what a great movie of Show man.

Specially The anger and the perfect Dialogue delivery of Sunny deol, it's always seen in that era movie, and absolutely *SATH HAI HUM SAB IS SE BADI KYA KHUSHI* song late copied this tune by JLO, we all know that 😯

This movie is about the revenge and love of brothers, I used to watching this again and again whenever it's come on TV, perfect action and acting by Sunny, I'm surprised why this IIFA has not given the best actor award to him for this movie, such a great direction of all time of Subhash Ghai. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ghatak review:

Planned in early '90s with Kamal Haasan in the lead, Ghatak finally made it as a 1996 Diwali release with Sunny Deol spearheading it. Inspite of the delay, Rajkumar Santoshi's stellar execution didn't make the film appear stale at all and the movie became a runaway hit trouncing the multistarrer Sapoot it clashed with and also held well against Aamir Khan- Karisma Kapoor's "smooch" hit Raja Hindustani which released shortly after it.

Sunny Deol was outstanding as the rustic brahmin Kashi who brings his ailing foster father (Amrish Puri, excellent) for treatment to the big bad Mumbai. The suburban 'basti' he lives with his brother is literally terrorized by the local goon Kathiya (Danny Denzongpa, menacing) and his six brothers. "Saat bhai hai hum, ek se ek sher'. Inspiration from Satte Pe Satta, perhaps!!

Kashi gets on the wrong side of Kathiya and bros and in a sordid scene, they literally leash his old father to become a dog in front of the entire neighborhood. "Kutta bana diya babuji ko", Kashi cries loudly in a highly emotional scene.

Unlike Santoshi's earlier hit Ghayal (1990) which was highly sophisticated in nature, Ghatak was ekdum raw and in-your-face kinda movie. The main villain Kathiya was so caricaturish that he keeps a leopoard as a pet and indulges in a bloodsporty wrestling matches to satisfy his hunger for violence. The music was restricted to one good item number- 'Koi jaaye toh le aaye'- picturised on Mamta Kulkarni who looked damn sweet in it.

Meenakshi Seshadri was repeated from Ghayal to play Sunny's heroine but her role wasn't as strong as Santoshi's earlier movies with her. Ghatak was a complete Sunny Deol show and he didn't disappoint the audience at all. The crowd at New Citylight, Matunga where I saw it clapped and cheered everytime he finished off one of Kathiya's brothers. Finally, this is a pure "mardon wali movie" with raw brawn and the dashing Sunny in full form. Chak de Deol!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Why people gives 5 or 6 or 7 its absolutely 9 out of 10 ..performance of sunny deol is excellent. No one can done this role like sunny deol ..its only sunny deol ..dialogue delivery and acting just amazing superrbbb movie sunny deol rockssssss

Ghatak is one of those iconic films that left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and featuring the powerhouse performance of Sunny Deol, it is a film that blends intense action, emotional depth, and social commentary, creating a masterpiece that has been cherished by fans and critics alike.

Rajkumar Santoshi, known for his versatility in tackling different genres, truly excelled with Ghatak. Released in 1996, this film came at a time when Bollywood was experimenting with storytelling, and Santoshi, already famed for hits like Damini and Ghayal, delivered another compelling narrative. His direction in Ghatak is impeccable, striking a balance between action-packed sequences and heart-wrenching emotional moments. He deftly tackles themes of oppression, the fight for justice, and the undying spirit of a man who is pushed to the brink.

The story follows Kashi, played by Sunny Deol, a simple man who moves to Mumbai with his ailing father, played by Amrish Puri, to seek medical treatment. However, upon arrival, they find the city in the grip of a ruthless gangster named Katya, portrayed chillingly by Danny Denzongpa. Kashi, who initially wants to stay away from conflict, is drawn into a battle for justice when he realizes the oppression and exploitation of innocent people by Katya and his goons. The film showcases Kashi's transformation from a passive individual to a righteous fighter, willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good.

Sunny Deol, known for his intense screen presence and powerful performances, delivered one of his career-best roles in Ghatak. His portrayal of Kashi is layered with vulnerability, rage, and an unyielding sense of justice. The raw emotion he brings to the character resonates deeply, particularly in the scenes where he confronts Katya or grapples with the personal pain of his father's illness. Deol's dialogue delivery, particularly in the now-iconic scene where he confronts Katya's men, is nothing short of electrifying. His ability to convey simmering anger and determination made him the perfect choice for the role, and his performance is one of the key reasons the film has such a lasting impact.

The film's emotional core is further strengthened by the remarkable performance of Amrish Puri as Kashi's father, Shambhu Nath. Puri, known for his commanding presence, brings tenderness and warmth to the role, making the father-son bond one of the film's most moving aspects. The scenes between Sunny Deol and Amrish Puri are filled with emotional depth and highlight the human cost of the violence and turmoil that unfolds around them.

What also sets Ghatak apart is the portrayal of its antagonist, Katya. Danny Denzongpa's performance as the cold, ruthless gangster is haunting. His menacing presence looms over the entire film, and he plays the perfect foil to Sunny Deol's righteous hero. The dynamic between the two characters, and the ultimate showdown, is one of the high points of the film.

Rajkumar Santoshi's handling of the narrative is seamless. The pacing, the screenplay, and the development of the characters are all crafted to keep the audience engaged. Santoshi doesn't shy away from showing the harsh realities of power dynamics and the struggle for justice in a corrupt system, and he does so without diluting the film's commercial appeal. The action sequences, choreographed with precision, are not just adrenaline-pumping moments but are tied to the emotional journey of the characters.

The music of Ghatak also plays a significant role in enhancing the storytelling. Composed by the legendary duo R. D. Burman and Anu Malik, the songs are situational and help in moving the narrative forward. Tracks like "Nigahen" stand out, but it's the background score that truly amplifies the tension and drama.

Ghatak is a film that stands tall as a quintessential example of 90s Bollywood cinema at its best-where drama, emotion, action, and social commentary all come together in a perfect blend. For fans of Sunny Deol and lovers of hard-hitting cinema, Ghatak remains a must-watch, with its themes of justice and resistance still resonating today. Rajkumar Santoshi's masterful direction and Sunny Deol's unforgettable performance ensure that the film remains etched in the hearts of its viewers, no matter how many times they watch it.

For you, as someone who has seen it multiple times, this film clearly strikes a deep emotional chord. Each viewing perhaps reveals new layers of the performances, the direction, and the sheer intensity of its narrative. Ghatak is nothing short of a cinematic gem, and its enduring appeal is a testament to its brilliance.

My all time favorite movie is ghatak.. The performance of Sunny Deol is just outstanding.. I love to watch Rajkumar Santoshi and sunny deol joint projects like Ghayal, Damini etc..