Khuda Gawah

Khuda Gawah tells the story of Badshah Khan and Benazir. The movie starts with Khan, a Patthani warrior competing with a rival warrior for a carcus. After 12 minutes of chase and bad editing, the rival warrior's mask falls off, and guess what, she's a very young babe. Badhshah lustfully stares at this hot chick (who is young enough to be his daughter, oh, but who cares?) and allows her to win the carcus. This sequence is followed by a terrible song where Badhshah expresses his lust to Benazir (which is the name of the warrior princess) and challenges her. After the song the warrior princess challenges him back and states hat if Badhshah manages to bring back the decapitated head of her father's enemy, then she will be his. Badhshah happily accepts the challenge (while maintaining his lustful grin). While Badhshah is away on his 'pilgrimage'. Benazir decides to shed her warrior princess image and become a traditional Patthani woman. Anyway, Badshah meets a bunch uninteresting people in India (except for the only interesting one being Anjana Mumtaz's character) and finds the murderer, decapitates him and brings the head back to Benazir. The former warrior princess is thrilled (and her eyes hint sadistic pleasure) and they immediately get married. But Badhshah has to return because he promised a Rajput copper that he'd surrender for having committed a crime. Benazir is disgusted but she eventually allows him to keep his promise. Badhshah is also being hunted down by the brother of the murderer of Benazir's father...confused, well watch 'Khuda Gawah' to clear that up.

The late Mukul Anand's 'Khuda Gawah' is a mostly enjoyable typical Bollywood operastyle masala. It's pretty much got all the Bollywood ingredients of songs, 'dishum dishum', good guys, over-the-top villains etc but there are some new additions which is what makes this likable. The female characters, whether it's Benazir, Salma, Henna or Mehendi are very strong. Clearly these women do not cling to the men nor are they the usual damsel in distress. The songs are quite beautiful (with the exception of the first one which is pretty bad) and stay in the viewers mind long after the film's ended. There's also the refreshing addition of the Pathani culture to the story. The costumes and desert locations are also a nice touch.

'Khuda Gawah' does have a slightly dated look. The cinematography is dull. The 12 minute chase sequence in the beginning is tiring to watch. Perhaps it would have been more engaging if it were better executed. The sound effect is bad. The fight scenes dragged a lot and the repetitive slow motion sequences were annoying. It could have used some editing (but then again, there is something called the fast-forward button).

Amitabh Bachchan delivers yet again another irritating performance which was his habit during the 80s and 90s. He is better in the scenes where he dials down the volume. Danny Denzongpa is wonderful. He delivers a memorable performance as Badhshah Khan's loyal friend, Khuda Baksh. Nagarjuna is alright. Then newcomer Shilpa Shirodkar holds her own and does nothing short of a fine job. Vikram Gokhale and Anjana Mumtaz stand out among the supporting cast. But, 'Khuda Gawah' is clearly, and not surprisingly, Sridevi's film. Playing two characters in one film is nothing new to this actress and she can just make it look so easy. Whether it's the courageous warrior turned insane wife Benazir or the vivacious and smart Mehendi, no role seems to be difficult for this actress. She is simply mindblowing.

'Khuda Gawah' also has some suggestive macabre scenes (and I really hope no animals were really killed for this movie) and the ending is quite funny. But anyway, this is among the few Bollywood 'masala' flicks I enjoyed. It is far from perfect but the good points that it has are reason enough for me.

Baadshah Khan falls in love with Benazir, a member of a rival clan who has defeated him in a game of buzkashi. Benazir will not marry him unless he brings back the head of her father's killer, Habibullah, from India.

Generally speaking, Indian films have not impressed me. Some stand out as great, but the more recent ones tend to run much too long and are full of far too much singing and dancing. This obviously appeals to some people, or they would not be this way. But it does not appeal to me.

That being said, "Khuda Gawah" is actually quite good. There is still singing and dancing, and the running time is rather long. But the characters and plot are quite rich, and tell an interesting multi-national story that goes above and beyond the usual fare.

This was a wonderful movie which had so much to offer. It shows us how love can mean sacrifice. It was truly refreshing watching this movie. Badshah Khan and Benazier are simply too good. I'd write this down as a classic of all times. Music was outstanding, dialogue was strong, characters were excellent, nothing wrong with it.

First of all, I hate Bollywood movies.. they lack of great stories.. lack of good actions.. lack of good dialogues.. and there is no comparison with western movies.. Briefly they are make me sick.

A few days ago I was searching in youtube for some songs and appeared in suggestions the song "Tu Na Ja Mere Badshah" I saw it and in fact I liked it, then I search for the movie to see and I was SURPRISED.!!

This movie strongly surprised me.. the story is great.. dialogues are very good, even the director did a very good job comparing to the movies at that time "1992"..

The most thing surprise me is that how could Indian could do a romance movie about Muslim characters because I know the Hatred and tensions in that part of the world.!

Anyone looking for a great story with full of passion and meanings of love.. friendship.. honor.. I recommended this movie..

The story-line was great.. the actors did wonderful job especially Sridevi as Benazir and Kiran Kumar as the mad guy Pasha.. The final scenes are incredibly full of emotion.. and I admit it: for first time in my life I stopped the movie many times because I could not tolerate that high degree of emotion.!! I gave the director 9 out of 10 The actors 8 of 10 The writer 9 of 10 the songs 10 of 10 But for the final scenes I gave all of them 10 out of 10..

One more thing.. if you can't watch the movie with a good translation of the songs.. don't watch it.

finally.. I rated the movie 10 out of 10.. I rarely do such thing.. I do not remember giving such rate except only for V for Vendetta..

Khuda Gawah is certainly one of the most epic films of Indian cinema. Starring two biggest megastars of India Sridevi and Amitabh Bachchan,Khuda Gawah is a must watch. Beautiful direction,melodious and evergreen songs,beautiful performances and above all chemistry of Sridevi and Amitabh. With this movie Sridevi became the only actress in the history of Indian cinema to bag a double role in a Amitabh Bachchan starrer. I think this is the best and the greatest role ever written for an actress opposite Amitabh Bachchan. The first half is mind blowing and unforgettable. The introduction scene of Sridevi,is the greatest introduction scene ever given to an actress. Amitabh Bachchan in his pathan avatar is brilliant as always. I think this is his most underrated performance. Sridevi yet again deliver another great performance which in my view is her best performance and her best double role. She is a treat to watch in the role of Benazir and she is Benazir mean unparallel. The ending scene,song and reunion of Sridevi and Amitabh Bachchan is so emotional that it can make you cry. Overall a masterpiece by Mukul S Anand. Also one of the best soundtracks(all songs) and one of the greatest background musics of Bollywood. Sridevi and Amitabh at their best. My most favorite movie of all time and most favorite performances of my most favorites Sridevi and Amitabh Bachchan. All hail for the Last Empress and Emperor of Indian cinema.