Loha review :
Loha was a multistarrer action film of the 80s directed by Raj (Daddu) Sippy and produced by Salim Akhtar who announced this next ambitious venture Batwara at this film's Silver jubilee function.
Dharmendra and Shatrughan Sinha were the leads with Shashi Kapoors son Karan forming the trio who take on the dacoit Shera (Amrish Puri) who is on payroll of a local politician (Kader Khan). The pretty Madhavi and Mandakini played the conventional heroines. Master Jugal Hansraj also had a pivotal role.
While Amrish Puri was the main antagonist, Loha also had a bevy of villains all playing prisoners : Joginder, Goga Kapoor, Roopesh Kumar, Praveen Kumar, Mac Mohan, Sudhir, Bhushan Tiwari, Yunus Parvez and 18 more!! In one scene, the pretty Madhavi and Mandakini break in to a seductive number wearing teenie weenie shorts while in captivity of these Dirty 25.
The film was lavishly mounted with great looking sets and action pieces. Music wasn't that great though. Some scenes seemed to be influenced by Ramesh Sippy's Sholay. Infact, Loha also looked similar to Zalzala (1988) which released around the same time.
I had seen the movie on VHS at the time of its release and recently caught it again on Youtube in the covid lockdown period. A decent entertainer specially for the 80s audience.
Regards,
Sumeet Nadkarni.
