Karz

Karz review :

The Subhash Ghai directed Karz enjoys a cult status today with even a remake in the recent past. But do you know Karz bombed at the box office when released in June 1980 which greatly disappointed Rishi Kapoor who had pined a lot of hope on it. The audience of that time, fed generously with escapist actioners of Amitabh Bachchan, found this reincarnation drama a bit too elite for their taste. Karz was not only panned but also unfairly compared to Mehbooba (1976) and Kudrat (1981) - two box office duds dealing with the same reincarnation theme.

It is only in the '90s decade that Karz got its due recognition as the finest effort of showman Subhash Ghai. The film has a solid script (albeit plagarised from Hollywood's 'The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975)) with a taut narrative, breathtaking Ooty locales, excellent cinematography and super competent direction by Ghai.

Moreover, Laxmikant Pyarelal's music with the iconic song 'Om Shanti Om' and the mesmerizing signature tune elevates the film to an altogether different level. The song itself has a Farah Khan film as well as countless remixes as reference.

Rishi Kapoor was brilliant as pop star Monty while the ever gorgeous Simi Garewal was a class apart in the negative role of Kamini. It is her career best performance and seems Ghai had a tough time convincing her to sign on the villainous role. The mute Prem Nath as Sir Judah spoke volumes through his silence. Subhash Ghai had penchant for giving unique English name to his villains - Sir Judah, Sir John (Ram Lakhan) etc.

An underperformer when released, Karz will always be a blockbuster material for me!! A must see for those of you who havent, if at all there are any..

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Review By Kamal K

In my opinion the film Karz is a master piece, cult classic very well directed by Subhash ghai best movie as director, memorable music by the great LP and who can forget the performance of its entire Starcast, mind blowing performances by Rishi Kapoor, Simi Grewal, Raj Kiran, treat to watch again and again.

This is one of my favourites. When I was growing up, we had a video of this movie. I saw this movie countless times and never got tired of it. That song dard-e-dil is an amazing song. Tina Munim looked so beautiful in that song with a black scarf on her head.

Rishi Kapoor truly is one of the best actors. He did justice to the role. Durga Khote as Rishi Kapoor's mother played a very emotional role. Simi Grewal was stunning in her role as Rani Sahiba and a villain.

This is a must see movie. It's the best movie on reincarnation, I can think of. The only other movie that would come close is Kudrat.

This movie is an absolute all time classic. It even had me stunned that Subhash Ghai was able to make a movie like this. He never even came close again. But this time he wasn't the self proclaimed showman, no, he had the help of the son of the ONLY showman Mr. raj Kapoor's son RISHI KAPOOR the best actor from all the Kapoors! Rishi really shows what acting is all about. You can feel his pain and confusion by just looking at his face. Really next to Amitabh one of the best actors Indian Cinema has ever had but never really appreciated. The film is loosely based on the movie THE REINCARNATION OF PETER PROUD only Indianised a bit of course. Simmi Garewal gives a good performance (again with Rishi after Mere Naam Joker) and Pran steals the show. Prem Nath as a gunga is different than usual. Even Tina Munim is likable. And i haven't even mentioned the music...Wow! Dard-e-dil, Om Sjanti Om, Tu Solah Baras Ki, Ek haseena thi- all smash hits. They don't make 'm like this anymore.

A brilliant entertainer, which after two decades since its initial release still, has the potential to deliver its entertainment package.

Three hours of song, excellent music and a story revolving around re-incarnation and divine justice. The music is as great as the audience has come to expect from the team. The direction is snappy and the characters in the plot are all alive and vibrant with each and every one of them fitting in to the story line as vital pieces of the picture.

The guitar lead-in, which forms a prelude to the title song, is used effectively in a few instances in the movie and is instantly recognizable by anyone anywhere who has heard it just once.

The story is effective and easy for the Indian psyche to accept and appreciate since there has always been a feeling of mysticism and awe in the Indian mind when it comes to matters supernatural and the triumph of good over evil.