Karma

I was really looking forward to this movie. I'd seen the poster in an old French textbook (don't ask why) and it looked quite awesome. I'd never seen an Indian film before, and I figured an Indian action movie from the 1980s could be great. So last month I purchased the Karma DVD online.

Two words: big disappointment.

I don't know if all Indian movies are like this, but the photography was terrible, the acting was cheesy, the songs are incredibly generic (they all sound the same to my western ears), and the action is TERRIBLE. The movie has a few good explosions, and lots of guys get gunned down, but the stunts are third rate (at best!). The director doesn't handle the story or the action with any sort of style or exuberance. The movie has only one redeeming quality, and that's the actor with the black beard. He's a real badass, and he nearly pulls this movie from the brink with his incredible Bronson/Eastwood-esque performance.

If the Indians want to make movies like Hollywood, they need to trim their scripts down and learn how to direct. I still want to see Sholay, but if that's as bad as this movie then I won't be putting any more Indian films at the top of my list.

Discount comments by existenz-6: He merely wanted to see an exact replication of Hollywood cinema, and he's disappointed the *Indian* film had any roots other than his own. If you're used to conventional western cinema, and that's all you want to see, you simply aren't going to like this movie! If you fall into that category, and yet (for some inexplicable reason) you still want to see a bollywood flick you're going to want to check out the more recent ones (something by Ram Gopal Varma, perhaps). They're much more "westernized". That said, Karma is one of the greats of the 80's. It has comedy, action, tragedy, and excellent acting. Dillip Kumar, as usual, plays his role well. A. Kheir steals the show as Dr. Deng, there was something so morbidly dark about the look on his face when Dillip Kumar's character slaps him, he suddenly transforms from a comical amusement into a character to be taken dead seriously. He remains so for the rest of the movie. As cinema in the 80s was, there are a few shoddy moments in transference from humor to tragedy. If you can deal with that roller-coaster, and the fact that bollywood flicks don't pack budgets comparable to Hollywood, you may want to give this movie a peak!

Subhash Ghai always manages to blend cheesy dialogs in what could otherwise be a solid movie.

While I agree with other reviewer who commented on the limited stunts, there is a deep-rooted soul in this movie that is hard to ignore.

The cast contributes well but so many famous actors would normally mean some roles will have that negative what-are-you-doing-here value-add to the overall story line.

To my dear Western friends, I can only add that I hear your complaints when you compare this to a Hollywood action movie. But this is not a traditional action movie. There are strong emotional overtones in all Indian movies, without which the story will invariably lack any punch.

And to the friend who is hesitant in watching Sholay, I can assure you it is one of, if not the, greatest Hindi action movies. You probably may want to talk to an Indian fan of Sholay to set the context for the story, as you may not be able to relate to the characters if you focus only on action.

I would be very happy to tell you how Sholay is a unique movie from so many perspectives. But most important of all, it has some of the greatest performers from India cinema - Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra and Amjad Khan - what a first performance ! His character strikes fear and I would venture to say his role of brutal, take-no-prisoners mindset is a major departure from traditional Indian villains.

To others who liked this movie, please do check out "Kaala Pathar", "Deewar".

Good luck.

I would give it a 9.9 out of ten. It's star cast is huge and One movie that is different.Dilip Kumar is honest police officer and he has a happy living family and is husband of Nutan. Dilip Kumar we know he is just the god of acting so he is greatest. Anupam Kher's best performance as a villain, the dialog of" is thapad ki gunj ab tume sunai DE GI" comes from this film. Dilip has caught him in jail and somehow he runs away when he is at home and then in an accident caused by Dr. Dang his family dies meaning only a small kid and his wife stays alive but she is mute now since seeing her young kids dead.

The song " Tu mera karma tu mera dharma" is in this film.

Its very patriotic film based on a complete different story.

Great cast like Dilip Kumar, Nutan, Naseerudin Shah, Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, Poonam Dhillion, Anupam Kher, Bindu, Jugal, Tom Alter. etc. Above all Subash Ghai and Mukta Arts.

Dilip decide to end the terror of Dr. Dang so he needs soldiers but not police officers they are his prisoners and in few days these three guys will be hanged. He is giving them a chance to do something for the country. Things go on and he takes them to a village and trans them but Jackie and Anil try to escape but can't. If a say everything than it would be just giving you all the whole story so then it would be boring to watch the film. There was a number shoot on Madhuri which didn't appear in the film. But usual Subash does gives a glim in a song. The movie is great and is worth watching to all Indians even non Indian.

The direction is amazing, the cinematography is amazing. The lyrics and choreographer, music, art direction, even the sets were wonderful.

The combination of two most wonderful, dynamic, and almost gods of acting in one movie first time is just amazing.

Dilip Kumar, Naseerudin Shah are wonderful in the movie and there is a twist and to find out more must watch the film.

The couple Jodi Jackie and Anil were great and even leading ladies were good. Nutan gave the best not her greatest because she was a leading lady and a legend. Sridevi was great and her item number with Anupam was good. Poonam was good but not that good. But Anupam was the best at negative. Great music and great action, comedy and family drama. Kind of melodrama

After Sholay. This movie has all the ingredient of a great action movie. Anupam Kher in the role of Dr. Dang created magic on the screen. Veteran Dilip Kumar and Nutan excel in their roles. Anil Kapoor is at his comic best. Nasiruddin Shah and Jackie Shroff have done a good job. The music may not be very great but blends well with the action.