Beta

Clearly one of Madhuri's better performances. The film could have been treated better by the director though. Watch the film if you are a fan of Madhuri.

Beta is extremely melodramatic and for the most part suffers from very poor writing. Like most of Indra Kumar's films, it has a fantastic story which is poorly executed on-screen. The very inept depiction does not withhold the film from being entertaining and watchable though, and that's mainly thanks to its interesting concept, superb soundtrack and brilliant star-cast. The film has three main characters: the son, his devious stepmother, and his wife who enters the picture like a saviour. Kapoor plays Raju, a devoted son to his wicked stepmother who would kill and give his life for her if she asked. Since she entered the house as his father's second wife, she has used the boy who had carved for a mother and deviously left him illiterate. In addition to that, she quietly made her husband's life miserable by making the entire world think he is mentally imbalanced and imprisoning him - all for money. But soon Raju marries Saraswati, a young and smart woman who, unlike her loyal and innocent husband, shortly discovers her mother-in-law's true character and swears to destroy her plans.

The film's story is, as said, fantastic. But the film itself suffers from a poor script and some amazingly annoying attempts at comedy. Having said that, it is filled with many great moments and scenes of romance and drama, it has some very worthy dialogues, the development of story is effective, and the songs are very melodious and pleasant. That's what keeps the film generally engaging and entertaining, but if there is one aspect that particularly manages to keep it intact, it must be the acting. Anil Kapoor, playing the title character, does get a bit let down by the very immature character he is given. But while his character's overly loving and often childish attitude does get irritating at times, his sincerity is much more powerful and is strong enough to make this performance memorable. Aruna Irani is simply outstanding as the vicious Laxmi and is thoroughly convincing. However, Beta is clearly Madhuri Dixit's film. She is mind-blowing as Saraswati. She always could rise above a poor script, and here she gets to play a courageous and sensible woman who is unafraid to fight everyone for justice, and she does just that. Her expressive eyes, forceful line delivery, smart attitude, decisiveness, hot dance numbers and overall persona -- are all spot on and contribute to making this performance unforgettable.

All-in-all, Beta is not a film for everyone, but I think as a mainstream Hindi entertainment, it is brilliant. Some may find it overblown, but I still think it is one of Indra Kumar's better works (along with Mann, his best, and Dil). I found the film totally enjoyable and I liked the film's last scene, which was superb and quite satisfying. The film remains memorable for its music and for its actors, especially Madhuri, and it's easy to see why. This film could have easily been titled Bahu (daughter-in-love) after her character. Anyway, I recommend you to watch Beta. Remember not to expect that much, and you will be happy.

Some of the comments I couldn't disagree more. Yes the comedy was dodgy, but in which Hindi movie in that era has the comedy not been dodgy?! 9/10 Hindi movies are far-fetched and this is why we watch them.

Beta could have been better written, but as it is, it isn't written badly. Acting from Anil and Madhuri is A-class, as well as Aruna Irani and Anupam Kher.

Without the class side actors, this movie would have been nothing. One of my best Anil movies of all time..!

Indra Kumar's other movies I really enjoyed was Raja and Ishq, I disliked the others. Mann had potential but still really disappointing from a creative maker like Mr Kumar.

Family dramas like this one were all the rage in the 80's/early 90's so on paper Beta would have felt like more of the same. Beta however is heads and shoulders above other movies of it's kind thanks to the cast.

Aruna Irani deserves a very special mention, she was superb in a negative role and in my opinion this is her best performance. Madhuri is also tremendous, the scenes between her and Aruna Irani are electric. Anil Kapoor does well too in the male lead but in my opinion he is overshadowed by the two women. Among the supporting actors the late Lakmikant Berde deserves a special mention as he is hilarious in this movie whilst Anupum Kher does well in a negative role.

The songs are simply excellent, particularly Dhak dhak karne laga and Koyal se teri boli.

Yes the ending is a tad bit too melodramatic and unrealistic but that's what the audiences went for at the time.

Indra Kumar has made some pretty enjoyable movies like Dil, Ishq, Mann and Masti but Beta is without a doubt my favourite from him

He did very recently try to make another melodrama Super Naani but the movie was a total washout. I seriously believe that these days nobody would go for movies like Beta, they were most definitely a product of their time in the nicest way possible.

I revisited it only a few days ago after having not seen it in at least two decades and it was just as good as I remembered.

So on a closing note I would just like to say that Beta is without a doubt one of the best Anil Kapoor- Madhuri collaborations.

Clearly a. Madhuri Dixit movie she shows her range as an actor and she is like a. Rainbow at one time she is erotic at other she is Emotional and at othe she is comic and mainly so powerful she outshines the two leads Aruna and Anil which are equally Good But this movie is clearly a Madhuri Dixit movie