Saugandh

On this day 1991.

Star was born.

An ideal person.

Well made movie.

Verdict: Flop at box office.

Saugandh 1991 was Akshay Kumar's debut film, and while it wasn't a critical or commercial success, it's notable for launching his Bollywood career.

Here's a brief overview Plot: The film follows a typical revenge story with elements of action and romance.

Reception: It received mixed reviews and was considered a box office flop, primarily due to strong competition from Amitabh Bachchan's "Hum" which released around the same time.

Significance: Despite its commercial failure, Sugandh is important as it marked the beginning of Akshay Kumar's journey in Bollywood.

Key takeaways: Not a critical or commercial success.

Launched Akshay Kumar's Bollywood career.

Typical Bollywood action-romance with a revenge theme.

If you're a die-hard Akshay Kumar fan, you might find it interesting to see his debut performance. However, for general audiences, it's unlikely to be considered a must-watch.

Saugandh review :

Directed by Raj (Daddu) Sippy, the 1991 released Saugandh marked the debut of Akshay Kumar who had made a ten seconds uncredited appearance in Mahesh Bhatt's Aaj (1988) a couple of years before. The chef cum martial arts trainer in Bangkok was discovered by noted director Pramod Chakraborty who promptly signed him for his film Deedar (1992) which got a bit delayed and enabled Saugandh to hit the marquèe first.

A mix of Taming of the Shrew meets Romeo and Juliet; Saugandh had Akshay Kumar and Shantipriya playing the lovers who are torn in to the age old enemity between Rakhee and Mukesh Khanna. In fact, the confrontation scenes between Rakhee and Khanna were the film's highlight. Anand Milind's music was also a positive factor with "Laila ko bhool jaayenge" rising up the popularity charts.

Shantipriya got a meaty role and was completely convincing in her transformation from a rugged tomboy to a coy 'bhartiya naari'. An impressive performance indeed!! Surprisingly, it was Akshay who looked too raw and amateur though his screen presence was towering even then. Interestingly, his introduction scene starts with him walking inverted on his hands before he leaps up and we see his face for the first time. Rakhee and Mukesh Khanna had the 'ceetimaar' punchlines and they didn't disappoint.

Saugandh would've probably done better had it not clashed with Amitabh Bachchan's Hum (1991) which released a week later and completely stormed the box office leaving no space for other movies.

I had seen Saugandh at Citylight Cinema, Matunga where it had done decent business. I came out having mixed feelings for the debutant actor least expecting he would be the superstar of the coming decades. Speaks volumes of his hard work and perseverance. Kudos Akshay!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

As a first movie as lead actor Akshay did good job. One time watch. Go ahead.

It's a quite good movie. As a debutant Akshay was decent. Love it & if you love Akshay Kumar then this is your must watch & if you are neutral then Saugandh is one time watch.

This is the first movie that Akshay appeared in.

I have only seen a bad VHS version, but the upside-down shirtless sit-ups are extremely memorable.

A good first outing for one of the hottest bodies ever in Bollywood.

The story is easy to follow, even without subtitles. Boy meets girl. Boy meets bad guys. Boy trains (shirtless) to fight the bad guys with his trusty sidekick. Boy kicks a** of bad guys. Boy gets girl.

As this is a Bollywood movie, everybody inexplicably breaks into song and dance from time to time. The numbers are serviceable.

For good shirtless Akshay in bondage and mild torture, see Waqt Hamara Hai (1993)OR Main Khiladi Tu Anari.

Both of these are available on reasonably good DVD transfers.

Bollywood male bondage is an overlooked category.

Bollywood has produced some of the hottest, masculine, hairy chested stars ever on film. They are sometimes, but not often enough shirtless.

Check out my public category Bollywood Male Bondage and email me with any additions.

I am especially looking for shirtless scenes of Sunil Shetty.

NancyboySF