Nagina

For me, 'Nagina' is one of the few very enjoyable Hindi films of the 80s. Harmesh Malhotra struggled a lot to find a leading lady for this mythological yet modernized fantasy thriller but all these actresses, not willing to take the risk, turned down the part. It finally went to Sridevi as, one would know after watching the film, 'Nagina' was only meant for her. Many famous Indian actresses, like Reena Roy and Rekha, have been witnessed to play snakewoman on screen but none of them have reached the proportion that Sridevi has with 'Nagina'. Who remembers a Rekha or a Reena Roy in such an avatar. One snakewoman is mentioned then it is Sridevi's 'Nagina' that comes to mind.

The script has its share of flaws. Note that this is an 80's movie (when commercial Hindi films were at their lowest but 'Nagina' shines and manages to stay above). I like how Malhotra sets the tone and lets the events unfold, keeping the viewers engaged. Sridevi is first portrayed as a bubbly village belle but as the plot unfolds, actress slowly peels each layer of her character, catching one by surprise but in a very believable way. Malhotra maintains the suspense and surprise element very well.

The background score is very annoying and the songs (with the exception of the last one) are terrible. 'Main Teri Dushman' is one song that lingers and it is shot quite brilliantly with Amrish Puri's snake charmer tormenting Sridevi's 'Rajni'. It is also well known for Sridevi's energetic performance as she sets the floor on fire with the most famous 'snake dance' on screen.

Clearly, 'Nagina' belongs to the magnificent Sridevi. Without her, there is no 'Nagina'. Whether it's as the mistress of the house who lives a double life, the concerned daughter-in-law, the protective wife or the tormented snakewoman, Sridevi pulls it off with ease and elegance. Sushma Seth is good as the mother and Rishi Kapoor and Prem Chopra are adequate. Amrish Puri is great as the over-the-top evil Bhairon Nath.

Though it has its flaws, 'Nagina' is a gem from the 1980's commercial Hindi cinema. One I tremendously enjoyed as a child, one that I still enjoy today.

A beautiful film with excellent performances by Sridevi, the snakes, Amrish Puri, Rishi Kapoor and Sushma Seth. I adore Sridevi and she looks beautiful as ever. I am not a fan of her but whenever i watch this film or Himmatwala i just love her. The acting, the dances, the eyes, the costumes are just amazing.

I don't know if its a remake or whatever but i love the film. Rishi Kapoor looks gorgeous and acts well. Sushma i think played Rishi's mom in many films but her acting talent is shown as a mom in this one. The snakes act very well. When Sridevi dances shes like a goddess. She can dance and look beautiful at same time. Main teri dushman, dushman tu mera, i loved her in that song as well as all the other songs on her in the movie. Its a super hit film. If your a bollywood freak and don't mind watching old films of 1980s i think you should check it out. Sridevi fans can love her in this one. She is a dream of every women to be like her, look like her, dance like her. Sridevi dances to seduce her hubby but she is covered with clothes in that song when people today try to show more sex in seductive songs but cinema at its best to watch with family and at that time its a perfect one.

Rajiv (Rishi Kapoor) returns home from studying abroad and encounters and falls in love with a mysterious woman, Rajni (played by the incomparable beauty, Sridevi). He finally persuades his mother (Sushma Seth) to agree to the marriage. They don't know that Rajni is harboring a dreadful secret, until the sage Bhairon Nath (Amrish Puri) reveals it.

This horror-drama is surprisingly good. The plot is riveting, with many unexpected twists. The actors are polished and believable, with the snakes being impressively controlled. (Though I will confess to some concern over the welfare of said serpents.) The costumes are good, with Sridevi's being extravagantly beautiful. The makeup was convincing, as well, from death pallor to turquoise eyes. The songs and choreography were, while not exceptional, solid. Overall, this creepy movie is highly entertaining.

(Cast also includes Prem Chopra and Guddi Maruti.)

On a side note: If you have ophidiophobia, don't watch this movie! I am not terrified of them, just moderately afraid, and I had snakes dreams three nights in a row afterwards.

Finally, a mainstream film from the 1980s which did something a little different and notably more substantial than the usual masala fare. Harmesh Malhotra's musical fantasy Nagina is no different in the way it's directed or acted, of course, and it's ridden with absurd action scenes and some of the occasional, unfunny comedy. But, where it scores is in the subject matter and the reference to Hindu mythology through the serpent-like, shapeshifting Naga protagonist. This folkloristic element, which the entire film revolves around, elevates its artistic merit considerably, especially at a time when no commercial film dared to waver from formula.

Indeed, that's what makes Nagina a consistently engaging and entertaining film. The story is captivating right from its start, and the writing manages to keep everything gradual, intriguing and unpredictable. Does everything in the film live up to the good premise? Certainly not, filmmaking-wise it leaves a lot to be desired, but here's a film where its fantasy and fairytale-like style allow much of the absurdity that would otherwise be an immediate letdown. Even the well-known, exaggerated delivery fits the mystical narrative. One is left wishing better technology had been in place at the time, as it would have made the film so much better.

Sridevi, an actress so extraordinary in her ability to communicate with and through the camera, is the perfect choice for this snakewoman role. She is everything that makes Nagina what it is. And boy, what a dancer she was. Her electrifying performance to the climactic "Main Teri Dushman" sequence is the film's artistic pinnacle in terms of how well it's shot, choreographed, and danced by Sridevi. Rishi Kapoor does well in the hero-filler role, but the character actors enjoy greater roles. Sushma Seth is very good as the shocked mother, and Amrish Puri is another example of perfect casting as the wide-eyed snake-charming villain. A nice, nice Hindi film, indeed.

This movie is definitely a classic. I used to love watching it as a kid. If you are willing to suspend your disbelief or if you are a little kid, you'll like the movie. If you like snakes, you might like the movie. It's about a woman who can turn into a snake. It's great.