Khuda Gawah

Khuda Gawah tells the story of Badshah Khan and Benazir. The movie starts with Khan, a Patthani warrior competing with a rival warrior for a carcus. After 12 minutes of chase and bad editing, the rival warrior's mask falls off, and guess what, she's a very young babe. Badhshah lustfully stares at this hot chick (who is young enough to be his daughter, oh, but who cares?) and allows her to win the carcus. This sequence is followed by a terrible song where Badhshah expresses his lust to Benazir (which is the name of the warrior princess) and challenges her. After the song the warrior princess challenges him back and states hat if Badhshah manages to bring back the decapitated head of her father's enemy, then she will be his. Badhshah happily accepts the challenge (while maintaining his lustful grin). While Badhshah is away on his 'pilgrimage'. Benazir decides to shed her warrior princess image and become a traditional Patthani woman. Anyway, Badshah meets a bunch uninteresting people in India (except for the only interesting one being Anjana Mumtaz's character) and finds the murderer, decapitates him and brings the head back to Benazir. The former warrior princess is thrilled (and her eyes hint sadistic pleasure) and they immediately get married. But Badhshah has to return because he promised a Rajput copper that he'd surrender for having committed a crime. Benazir is disgusted but she eventually allows him to keep his promise. Badhshah is also being hunted down by the brother of the murderer of Benazir's father...confused, well watch 'Khuda Gawah' to clear that up.

The late Mukul Anand's 'Khuda Gawah' is a mostly enjoyable typical Bollywood operastyle masala. It's pretty much got all the Bollywood ingredients of songs, 'dishum dishum', good guys, over-the-top villains etc but there are some new additions which is what makes this likable. The female characters, whether it's Benazir, Salma, Henna or Mehendi are very strong. Clearly these women do not cling to the men nor are they the usual damsel in distress. The songs are quite beautiful (with the exception of the first one which is pretty bad) and stay in the viewers mind long after the film's ended. There's also the refreshing addition of the Pathani culture to the story. The costumes and desert locations are also a nice touch.

'Khuda Gawah' does have a slightly dated look. The cinematography is dull. The 12 minute chase sequence in the beginning is tiring to watch. Perhaps it would have been more engaging if it were better executed. The sound effect is bad. The fight scenes dragged a lot and the repetitive slow motion sequences were annoying. It could have used some editing (but then again, there is something called the fast-forward button).

Amitabh Bachchan delivers yet again another irritating performance which was his habit during the 80s and 90s. He is better in the scenes where he dials down the volume. Danny Denzongpa is wonderful. He delivers a memorable performance as Badhshah Khan's loyal friend, Khuda Baksh. Nagarjuna is alright. Then newcomer Shilpa Shirodkar holds her own and does nothing short of a fine job. Vikram Gokhale and Anjana Mumtaz stand out among the supporting cast. But, 'Khuda Gawah' is clearly, and not surprisingly, Sridevi's film. Playing two characters in one film is nothing new to this actress and she can just make it look so easy. Whether it's the courageous warrior turned insane wife Benazir or the vivacious and smart Mehendi, no role seems to be difficult for this actress. She is simply mindblowing.

'Khuda Gawah' also has some suggestive macabre scenes (and I really hope no animals were really killed for this movie) and the ending is quite funny. But anyway, this is among the few Bollywood 'masala' flicks I enjoyed. It is far from perfect but the good points that it has are reason enough for me.

Khuda Gawah is certainly one of the most epic films of Indian cinema. Starring two biggest megastars of India Sridevi and Amitabh Bachchan,Khuda Gawah is a must watch. Beautiful direction,melodious and evergreen songs,beautiful performances and above all chemistry of Sridevi and Amitabh. With this movie Sridevi became the only actress in the history of Indian cinema to bag a double role in a Amitabh Bachchan starrer. I think this is the best and the greatest role ever written for an actress opposite Amitabh Bachchan. The first half is mind blowing and unforgettable. The introduction scene of Sridevi,is the greatest introduction scene ever given to an actress. Amitabh Bachchan in his pathan avatar is brilliant as always. I think this is his most underrated performance. Sridevi yet again deliver another great performance which in my view is her best performance and her best double role. She is a treat to watch in the role of Benazir and she is Benazir mean unparallel. The ending scene,song and reunion of Sridevi and Amitabh Bachchan is so emotional that it can make you cry. Overall a masterpiece by Mukul S Anand. Also one of the best soundtracks(all songs) and one of the greatest background musics of Bollywood. Sridevi and Amitabh at their best. My most favorite movie of all time and most favorite performances of my most favorites Sridevi and Amitabh Bachchan. All hail for the Last Empress and Emperor of Indian cinema.

Nothing beats when Baadshah Khan puts his hands on his hips and gives Benazir that look! And Could two people be better at flirting with just their eyes? These two smolder on the screen in this epic tail of love and sacrifice. The film has a wonderful and haunting soundtrack...with some phenomenal on screen song and dance numbers. The historical costuming is intricate and colorful, adding drama all on its own. There is such a small window of joy and celebration in this film...but what euphoria it brings!

I both laughed and cried thru this film and couldn't be happier that this was my introduction to both Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi, both of who are national treasures in their native India.

This was also my introduction to Bollywood and really set the bar very high.

Warning do not watch dubbed versions of this film as you will miss out on Amitabh Bachchan's lovely and deep baritone speaking voice...which contrasts with Sridevi's more dulcet tones.

I recommend this film to all my friends and enjoy it every time I see it.

This is not an afghani film!!!! Its a bollywood potboiler, starring all Indians - not one Afghani actor. Only a few scenes were shot in Afghanistan, during the rule of the Communist Dr Najibullah, when Kabul was a civilised city, not the rubble pile it has become today. Its a fun film, all fantasy and popcorn entertainment. It says nothing about afghans, however - its based on an old Indian conception of the Afghans and their attachment to honor and their word. Reality is of course very different.

This one is surely one of Amitabh most underrated classics. Amitabh's third film with Mukul Anand (after Agneepath and Hum) in a phase in which he had no hits except for Hum. When this film was launched it had sanjay Dutt in the role of Nagarjuna. But although Sanjay Dutt and Abhishek Bachchan are like brothers now and Sanjay sees Amitabh Bachchan as a father figure now there was quite a hungama between Amitabh and Sanju at that time. And only because of a song. For the movie HUM a song was recorded JUMMA CHUMMA sung by Sudesh Bhosle and kvita Krishnamurthi. Everybody knew the song was going to be a hit. But the master of copies BAPPI LAHRI took the tune and used it for THANEDAAR starring Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit and created his own Tamma Tamma Loge. Bachchan was upset and Sanjay stepped out of the movie. farah Naaz (a pretty actress- now more known as Tabus elder sister) was supposed to play Shilpa Shirodkar's role but because Sridevi had a double ole in this movie (and according to me it's her best double role ever) Farah did not have the guts to do the film and opted out. A good film with splendid performances by Bachchan and Sridevi- actually their best film of all the films they did together (Inquilaab and Aakhree Raasta beibg the other two.).