Kaalia

"Kalia" was disappointing--overlong, illogical and generally ham-handed. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that a movie is bad--after all most Indian films suffer from these problems. The star of this film, Amitabh Bachchan appeared in "Amar, Akbar, Anthony" (1977) which had similar problems but was still a wonderful film.

Bachchan is a charismatic actor but even he cannot save this film from its repetitious plot twists, insipid songs, laborious dialogue and bad acting.

Bachchan plays a good-natured fellow, who is forced to turn to a life of crime to support his family when his brother is injured at the unsafe mill where he works. The mill owner/criminal mastermind callously refuses to help with money for an operation, even though the injury is his fault. Kaalia seeks revenge for his brother and ends up in jail where he becomes a hardened criminal. Heists, fistfights, interminable chases flesh out this 3 hour film. None are particularly interesting. See "Amar, Akbar, Anthony" instead.

Kaalia review:

As a kid, I just loved the poster of Kaalia which had an angry looking Amitabh Bachchan with handcuffs on. I used to persuade my dear late grandfather to take me to Badal Cinema, Matunga every evening just to see the huge hoarding there.

Kaalia, released at peak of Bachchan's superstardom, relied totally on the actor's solid charisma and swag. A simpleton weakling Kallu (Amitabh) is framed by his brother's (Kader Khan in a superb cameo) rich employer Shaani Seth (Amjad Khan) and sentenced to nine months jail. The moment where Bachchan steps out of prison as an angry young man with new identity Kaalia is simply clap-worthy. How he teaches Shaani Seth a lesson forms the rest of the movie..

The charming Parveen Babi was cast as Kaalia's love interest while legendary Pran Saahab was super effective as the tough jailor who likes to mock Kaalia at every instance. Amjad Khan as the villainous Shaani Seth, set new standard for the sophisticated baddie. Amitabh destroying Jagdeep's brand new car was lifted from Feroz Khan's Qurbani (1980).

R. D. Burman's music was another positive factor. 'Jahan teri yeh nazar hai..' has Amitabh swinging to the beats so effortlessly that it later became his signature dance step!

Kaalia is ever memorable for Amitabh's punchline "Hum jahan khade hote hai...line wahin se shuru hoti hai". It was oft repeated by many others through '80s and '90s Bollywood. But none could match Bachchan!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Too much frames of this movie cannot forger so easily just because of the making,i have seen this movie more than three times with my family. amitab bachans performance is very outstanding.

Amitabh Bachchan at his best again. Pran ever present, and Amjad khan with a great performance,

Kaalia is an gripping film, with a great plot, and has great songs to, that fit in with the story line. With what i've been told one Rafi's last songs for a film. Kader khan has a brief but a solid performance and Parveen Babi ever present in a good performance.

The films is quick and flowing but has a hint of great comedy by cast. The scene with Parveen Babi making the Egg is a real laugh.

It isn't big b's best film but a film worth watching. It cant be classed with Deewar, Sholay or Agneepath, but it's still a great watch.

this is one of best movie by amitabh. story & screenplay really different & outstanding. somewhere you know that, what will be the next turn of the story but you don't know that how it will be happen & what going to happen in next seen. everybody perform very well. casting was perfect. PRAN has done excellent job after DON. even K N Singh was such a long gap after i have seen on film screen.AMJAD KHAN & KADAR KHAN were also nice. TINU ANAND direction was fabulous. he didn't lose the grip from the film. above all R D BURMAN has given wonderful music not only in songs but also background music. each song has her own space & they push the story. particularly "KAUN KISI KO MAR SAK" & "TUM SAATH HO JAB AAPNE"... it's out & out entertain movie. in other word movie of AMITABH'S ERA....