Khoon Bhari Maang

Well it's plain and simple, Rekha does not only deliver one of the best performances of her career, but one of the best performances ever seen on the Indian screen, or what we call mainstream Hindi cinema. Rakesh Roshan's direction deserves special mention. He successfully remakes the Australian mini-series "Return to Eden" into a feature film in a modern, urban Indian setting. The story is quite interesting, though it's much more engaging in the second half. So what's it about - Rekha plays Aarti, a wealthy, unattractive widow with two kids who reluctantly marries a man who has deviously befriended her kids but wants nothing but her money. The rather shocking scene in which she is supposedly killed by her husband is followed by Aarti's transformation from a gentle, unassuming woman to a strongly determined lady who will do anything to take revenge on those who made her life miserable and separated her from her children. And she arrived back in her city in the form of a to-die-for, extremely beautiful model named Jyoti. From then on her true journey begins.

This story, obviously not the most realistic and credible on paper, is strongly enhanced by the film's execution and narrative style, as it develops at a fast, steady pace. The script isn't perfect, but the treatment helps make it a cut above the usual revenge sagas of the time. The film has it all: drama, thriller, action, but it is just a very good film as a film and works as complete entertainment no matter what genre it belongs to. Of course there are some unnecessary scenes of comedy here and there, but they are not that significant. Khoon Bhari Maang is made on relatively high production values: the editing is good, the cinematography is effective, the sets are well chosen, the costumes are fantastic, and the film is a very atypical commercial Hindi film of the 1980s in its overall feel. Rajesh Roshan's music is memorable. "Jeene Ke Bahaane Lakhon Hain" is wonderfully sung by Asha Bhosle, "Main Haseen Ghazab Ki" presents the film's topmost dance-musical performances, but the film's ultimate, trademark tune is the "family unity" song "Hanste Hanste", which, in its three different versions, is a pleasure to listen to and probably best associated with the film.

Easily one of the finest actresses of India, and probably the country's most charismatic star, Rekha is exceptional in this author-backed role, even within the constraints of an imperfect script. Her portrayal is simply indescribable, with facial expressions, body language and dialogue delivery spot on all through. She carries every scene naturally and makes the almost fantastical transformation from Aarti to Jyoti incredibly convincing. As the more traditional and simple Aarti in the initial portions of the film she is unrecognisable, displaying the right amounts of confusion, simplicity and modesty. But it's the new Aarti (naming herself Jyoti) who gives her full scope to become a winner. She is not only stunning, but acts with impressive confidence and aplomb, delicately letting the viewer sense the pain of a deeply hurt deceived woman, the struggle of a tormented mother, and the steadfast determination of a strong-willed avenger. This is an unforgettable bravura performance.

Other than the show-owner Rekha, the entire cast is very good, with Sonu Walia standing out. She is fabulous as Nandini and acts with aplomb throughout the film. It's sad that such a talented actress did not have the opportunity to make something of her career. She reminds me of today's Sushmita Sen. Two beauty pageants, beautiful, sexy and classy women, and two extremely underrated actresses. Kabir Bedi is excellent as the bad guy Sanjay. He plays the part so well that there seems to be nothing easier than to hate him. The kids are great and very convincing. Sulabha Deshpande in the small part of Leela is outstanding as she always is, and Shatrughan Sinha provides good support in his significant guest appearance.

Khoon Bhari Maang is nowhere a great film, but it grows on you. The film has many great moments which manage to tug at the heartstrings. My favourite scene is when the kids dedicate a song to their "dead" mother on their parents day at school, while she is sitting in the audience. The first time Jyoti appears on-screen comes across as quite a surprise, and it gives the film a great boost. Another moving moment is when the boy meets Aarti and notices the similarity between "this woman" and his own mother but the absence of the birthmark on her face disproves him. Same with the scenes where the dog recognizes Aarti and runs towards her, or the family's mute ranch employee. The last scene is extremely touching. The second half is overall full of great moments which is exactly what fans of Hindi films love. And to sum it up, if you have not watched Khoon Bhari Maang yet, I highly recommend you to do so. Its flaws notwithstanding, it remains an enjoyable dramatic thriller with an all-time great performance by Rekha.

Khoon Bhari Maang was a superb thriller made at the later half of the eighties.The story is about the pains of an innocent woman.Rekha plays a very tough action role.The boat scenes are fantastic.The movie is at a jet speed after she returns back as a gorgeous model.The scenes where Rekha drives horse Fastly receives a critical applause.The Locations where the climax scenes are taken are beautiful to watch.Rekha has very clearly shown differences in her acting as an ugly woman and also as a gorgeous model.The screenplay adds a great value to movie.The songs of the movie are OK.I would not speak completely about her role.Rarely female actresses have been given great leading roles in the Indian cinema.This was a top engrossing movie after it got released. I had never seen a great action movie like this.Of course this is a very fast and trilling movie.Although this is a remake of Australian TV series Indian Audencies enjoyed this movie very much.Rakesh Roshan has proved himself as a best director.The crocodile shown in the movie really frightens the Audencies.The plot of the story has enough thrills.A better screenplay and a great direction had paved the way for the successes of the movie.

Who am I to review the cult classic khoon bhari maang, just a mere mortal, who has watched this film 500 times atleast. Those crocodiles, the revenge sequence, the plastic surgery, the dirty tricks for wealth, stables with horses, crying innocent children, a loyal house help, inheritance etc. Every making of a perfect piece of an unprecedented Indian family revenge drama. Rekha never shone so bright, nor did the roshans, nor did sonu walia, or kabir bedi and nor were benevolent Indian reptiles represented so perfectly again. Superlative.

Khoon Bhari Maang review :

Adapted from the Australian series Return to Eden (1983), Khoon Bhari Maang was the second consecutive success for producer- director Rakesh Roshan after Khudgarz (1987). The action thriller literally gave a new lease of life to Rekha who was going through a lean phase that time. It is one of Rekha's career best performance easily figuring in her best five..

A wealthy widow (Rekha) marries a handsome dude (Kabir Bedi, impressive) who pushes her to to the crocodile. The lady returns back with a changed face (glamourous than ever) after a plastic surgery and extracts her sweet revenge.

Khoon Bhari Maang was a risky subject for the '80s when the audience was used to watching the conventional hero- heroine stuff but here, the hero was actually a villain who kills his newly wedded wife to continue affair with her bestie (Sonu Walia) while the heroine turned the avenging hero riding on a horseback in the climax!! Roshan's risk however paid off handsomely for two primary reasons :

1) The wonderful ladies : Undoubtedly, Rekha and Sonu Walia were simply fantastic in the film. Both won Filmfare awards that year and Khoon Bhari Maang belongs to these two beauties. Rekha's transformation from the plain jane to a super model was just wow! As for Sonu Walia, I just loved her as Nandini, Rekha's bestie who betrays her. She literally scorched the screen in her yellow swimsuit romancing the macho Kabir Bedi.

2) Rajesh Roshan's music : a huge positive for Khoon Bhari Maang were the songs. Whether it is the seductive "Main teri hoon jaanam" or the hip hop happy "Hanste Hanste Kat Jaaye Raaste', every number was a chartbuster.

Khoon Bhari Maang clashed with Yash Chopra's mega multistarrer Vijay but still emerged a clear winner. The film met with critical acclaim as well as audience appreciation. As they say, good content always triumphs!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Rekha truly blew me away with her performance in this film. Personally, I am so used to seeing her in glamour roles that i didn't think i would like this film. I ended up loving it. I think she did a wonderful job and deserved the Filmfare award for best actress back in 1988. Rekha in this film looks, well, ugly. But thats only in the begining of the film. She wears fake teeth, and made to look like she has no makeup on.

I would recommend this film to anyone and all Rekha fans alike. Oh, and she does get glamoured up towards the second half of the film. But you'd have to see it to understand what i mean.