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{{short description|1996 film directed by Gulzar}}
{{short description|1996 film directed by Gulzar}}
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{{EngvarB|date=April 2015}}
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| name          = Maachis
| name          = Maachis
| native_name    =  
| native_name    =  
| image          = Maachis-hindi-dvd.png
| image          = Maachis poster.jpg
| caption        = DVD cover for ''Maachis''
| caption        = Poster
| starring      = [[Chandrachur Singh]]<br>[[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]]<br>[[Om Puri]]<br>[[Jimmy Sheirgill]]
| starring      = [[Chandrachur Singh]]<br />[[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]]<br />[[Om Puri]]<br />[[Jimmy Sheirgill]]
| director      = [[Gulzar (lyricist)|Gulzar]]
| director      = [[Gulzar (lyricist)|Gulzar]]
| producer      = [[R. V. Pandit]]
| producer      = R. V. Pandit
| writer        = Gulzar
| writer        = Gulzar
| cinematography = [[Manmohan Singh (film director)|Manmohan Singh]]
| cinematography = [[Manmohan Singh (film director)|Manmohan Singh]]
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| music          = [[Vishal Bhardwaj]]
| music          = [[Vishal Bhardwaj]]
| budget        = {{INR|20 million|link=yes}}<ref name="Maachis budget and BO">{{cite news|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2742 |title=Maachis Budget and Box Office |work=[[Box Office India]] |access-date=29 June 2021}}</ref><!--Must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb.-->
| budget        = {{INR|20 million|link=yes}}<ref name="Maachis budget and BO">{{cite news|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2742 |title=Maachis Budget and Box Office |work=[[Box Office India]] |access-date=29 June 2021}}</ref><!--Must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb.-->
| gross          = {{estimation}} {{INR|63.6 million|link=yes}}<ref name="Maachis budget and BO" /><!--Must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb.-->
| gross          = {{estimation}} {{INR|63.6 million|link=yes}}<ref name="Maachis budget and BO" /><!--Must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb.-->
}}
}}


'''''Maachis''''' (transl. ''Matchsticks'') is a 1996 Indian [[Historical drama|period]] [[political thriller]] film directed by [[Gulzar]] and produced by R. V. Pandit. It stars [[Chandrachur Singh]], [[Om Puri]], [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]], and [[Jimmy Sheirgill]]. The film portrays the circumstances surrounding the rise of the [[Punjab insurgency|Sikh insurgency]] in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] in the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/maachis-still-lit-after-all-these-years-101613123668591.html|title=Maachis: Still lit, after all these years|date=12 February 2021|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> The music of the film was composed by [[Vishal Bhardwaj]], with lyrics penned by Gulzar. It was also the Hindi film debut of [[KK (singer)|KK]] as a playback singer.
'''''Maachis''''' ({{Translation|Matchsticks}}) is a 1996 Indian Hindi-language [[Historical drama|period]] [[political thriller]] film written and directed by [[Gulzar]]. The film stars [[Chandrachur Singh]], [[Om Puri]], [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]], and [[Jimmy Sheirgill]]. The film is set against the backdrop of the [[Punjab insurgency|Sikh insurgency]] in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] during the 1980s. The plot delves into the personal and political turmoil faced by individuals caught in violence and explores themes of state repression, [[Vengeance (concept)|vengeance]], and the [[radicalization]] of youth.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 February 2021 |title=Maachis: Still lit, after all these years |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/maachis-still-lit-after-all-these-years-101613123668591.html |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
 
The film was released on 25 October 1996. ''Maachis'' received critical acclaim for its direction, story, screenplay, dialogue, and music. The film emerged as a commercial success at the box-office, grossing ₹6.19 crore against a production budget of ₹2 crore.


The title of the film ''Maachis'' is a metaphor that conveys that any nation's youth are like matchsticks, which can be used to light a lamp or a fuse that will blow a dynamite. The film depicts how corrupt political and policing systems implement wilful policies and ploys to target and subdue people based on religious discrimination. The protagonist in the film becomes a victim of such atrocities that bring about a transformation in his character. He goes from being an ordinary [[Boy next door (stock character)|boy next door]] to an angry, vengeful person who pursues his version of justice, as the system responsible for it has failed him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/maachis-turns-25-a-look-at-the-gulzar-helmed-movies-rich-legacy-1043700.html|title='Maachis' turns 25: A look at the Gulzar-helmed movie's rich legacy|date=25 October 2021|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref>
At the [[44th National Film Awards]], ''Maachis'' won 2 awards – [[National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment|Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment]] and [[National Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] (Tabu). At the [[42nd Filmfare Awards]], the film received 10 nominations, including [[Filmfare Award for Best Film|Best Film]], [[Filmfare Award for Best Director|Best Director]] (Gulzar), [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] (Tabu), and [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] (Puri), and won 4 awards, including [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut|Best Male Debut]] (Chandrachur) and [[Filmfare R. D. Burman Award|R. D. Burman Award]] (Bhardwaj).


At the [[44th National Film Awards]], ''Maachis'' won 2 awards – [[National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment|Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment]] and [[National Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] (Tabu). At the [[42nd Filmfare Awards]], the film received 10 nominations, including [[Filmfare Award for Best Film|Best Film]], [[Filmfare Award for Best Director|Best Director]] (Gulzar), [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] (Tabu) and [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] (Puri), and won 4 awards, including [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut|Best Male Debut]] (Bhardwaj) and [[Filmfare R. D. Burman Award|R. D. Burman Award]] (Bhardwaj).
== Plot ==
The story is set during the mid-to-late 1980s in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India, a period marked by violent [[insurgency]] triggered by [[Operation Blue Star]], the assassination of Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]], and the subsequent [[1984 Sikh Massacre]]. The narrative unfolds through a series of intense flashbacks.


Tabu won her first [[National Film Awards|Best Actress]] National Award for her portrayal of Virendar Kaur aka Veeran. "Chhod Aaye Hum" was the first Hindi film song sung by KK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/music/watch-kk-sing-chhod-aaye-hum-from-maachis-as-gulzar-sits-and-listens-101654182739937.html|title=Watch KK sing Chhod Aaye Hum from Maachis, leave Gulzar in awe|date=3 June 2022|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
Jaswant Singh Randhawa and his sister, Veerendar "Veeran," live peacefully with their elderly mother, Biji, in a rural village. Kripal Singh, Jaswant’s childhood friend and Veeran’s fiancé, lives nearby with his grandfather. Their tranquil existence is shattered when Assistant Commissioner of Police Khurana and Inspector Vohra arrive in search of Jimmy, who is accused of attempting to murder a member of the [[Indian Parliament]], Kedar Nath.


== Plot ==
When interrogated, Jaswant plays a prank by leading the police to his puppy, Jimmy. Infuriated by his defiance, Khurana and Vohra take Jaswant into custody. Kripal desperately searches for Jaswant, visiting several police stations but finding no trace of him. After 15 days, Jaswant returns home, severely beaten and scarred from brutal police torture, all for a harmless prank.
The story takes place during the mid-to-late 1980s in the Indian state of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]. A violent insurgency is taking place due to [[Operation Blue Star]], Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi|Indira Gandhi's assassination]], and the subsequent [[1984 Sikh Massacre]]. The story unfolds in a series of flashbacks.


Jaswant Singh Randhawa and his sister Veerendar "Veeran" live with their elderly mother Biji in a village in Punjab. Kripal Singh is Jaswant's childhood friend and Veeran's fiancé, and lives close by with his grandfather. Their peaceful lives are disrupted by the Assistant Commissioner of Police Khurana and Inspector Vohra. They are in pursuit of Jimmy, who allegedly attempted to murder Kedar Nath, a member of the [[Indian Parliament]].
Kripal, outraged by the police brutality, seeks help through legal channels but finds no justice. Frustrated, he decides to track down his cousin Jeetay, who is connected to militant groups. Kripal’s search leads him to a highway restaurant (dhabha), where he encounters Sanatan, a militant who had planted a bomb on a bus. Kripal asks for Sanatan's help, and Sanatan reluctantly agrees, allowing Kripal to travel with him, a "Commander," and other militants in a truck loaded with bombs.


When queried, Jaswant pranks the police by leading them to his dog named Jimmy. Angered by his insolence, Khurana and Vohra take Jaswant into custody for questioning. When Jaswant doesn't return home, Kripal struggles to locate him, visiting police stations in the area, but with no success. Jaswant finally returns after 15 days. He is badly injured with bruises all over. Kripal is enraged as Jaswant was subjected to inhumane police brutality for a harmless prank.
Once they arrive at the militant hideout, Kripal explains his situation. The Commander reveals that he killed Jeetay for being a police informant. Despite Kripal’s plea for assistance, the Commander rebukes him, stating that they are not professional killers and that if Kripal wants justice, he must take matters into his own hands by killing Khurana by himself.


Kripal, unable to obtain help by any legal means to fight police brutality, sets off to find his cousin Jeetay, who has ties with militant groups. He fails to locate him but does get to witness Sanathan planting a time-bomb on a bus. Kripal runs into him again at a ''dhabha'' (a highway restaurant). He asks a wary Sanathan to listen to his woes. Sanathan agrees to let Kripal travel with him on his truck, being driven by the "Commander" and carrying sacks of homemade bombs and two militants. Upon arriving at their hideout, Kripal explains his predicament and finds out that the Commander himself killed Jeetay for being a police informer. Fully aware of Kripal's background, family, and predicament, the Commander rebukes Kripal for coming to them as if they were professional killers. He tells him to kill Khurana himself, and the group would protect him.
Kripal gradually earns the trust and respect of the militant group. Sanatan explains that Kripal's fight is not about nationalism or religion, but about defending fundamental civil rights and resisting a corrupt system that victimizes the innocent and devalues ordinary citizens. It is revealed that Sanatan himself is a survivor of the communal violence during the [[Partition of India]] in 1947 and lost most of his family in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He asserts that the ruling class manipulates society by dividing it along religious lines for political gain.


Kripal slowly earns the respect of the rest of the group. Sanathan explains that Kripal is not fighting for a nationalist or religious cause. He is fighting for his fundamental civil rights and against a system that victimizes innocents and devalues ordinary people. Later in the story, it is revealed that Sanathan is a survivor of the communal violence during the [[Partition of India]] in 1947. Also, he lost most of his family during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Sanathan claims that it is the ruling class trying to divide society by religion for political gain.
Kripal trains with the group and plans the assassination of Khurana. After a year of preparation, he successfully kills Khurana in a crowded marketplace. Horrified by his actions, Kripal visits Jaswant and Veeran one last time before going into hiding, but both are appalled at what he has done. When Kripal returns to the hideout, he finds it deserted. After staying undercover for a while, he is contacted by a group member who signals that he should prepare for a move. The Commander escorts him to a new hiding place in [[Himachal Pradesh]] and informs him that the police have connected him to Khurana’s murder, tracing it back to the incident involving Jaswant.


Kripal trains with the group and plots the killing of Khurana. After a year, he assassinates Khurana in a busy marketplace. Before going into hiding, he visits Jaswant and Veeran one final time, both horrified at his deed. When Kripal returns to their hideout, he finds it empty. After staying in hiding, a group member contacts him and signals that he should be ready for travel. He is then taken to the group's new hiding place in [[Himachal Pradesh]] by the Commander. The Commander informs Kripal that the police know of his identity in connection to the murder of Khurana, as they could connect the dots from the Jaswant questioning ordeal.
As Kripal settles into life on the run, he realizes there is no returning to normalcy. He finds solace in the militant group, which is preparing for a new mission and awaiting the arrival of a missile specialist. Kripal briefly considers applying for a local job, but Sanatan warns him that he is now branded a high-profile terrorist by the media, a convenient target for police looking for promotions. One of the group members, Kuldip, narrowly escapes a police encounter while transporting explosives and is left shaken. Desperate to escape, he begs Sanatan for permission to return home, promising to emigrate to [[Canada]]. Reluctantly, Sanatan agrees. However, unbeknownst to the group, Kuldip is killed by a bomb hidden in his backpack as he heads home.


Kripal slowly realizes that there is no return to everyday life and finds solace in the unit's company, which is now preparing for a new mission and awaiting a missile-firing specialist's arrival. When thinking of applying for a local job, Kripal is warned by Sanathan that he is now a big-time terrorist in the eyes of the media and a means of promotion for police officers. One of the group members, Kuldip, narrowly escapes a confrontation with the police while illegally transporting some explosives, sustaining injuries. Terrified by the experience, he pleads to Sanathan to let him go home, promising to emigrate to Canada. Sanathan reluctantly agrees. While the rest of the unit believes Kuldip is heading home, a bomb planted in his backpack explodes and kills him on his way home. Meanwhile, Kripal learns that one of his comrades, Jaimal Singh, is none other than the Jimmy whom the police had been searching.
Kripal also learns that one of his comrades, Jaimal Singh, is the same Jimmy the police had been hunting all along. Soon after, the group's awaited missile specialist arrives, and to Kripal's shock, it is none other than his fiancée, Veerendar "Veeran" Kaur. The two finally speak privately, and Kripal is devastated to learn that after Khurana's assassination, Jaswant was taken in for questioning, brutally beaten, and ultimately driven to commit suicide while in jail. Their mother died shortly after hearing the news, leaving Veeran alone. Subjected to daily harassment by Inspector Vohra, Veeran decided to follow Kripal’s path and reunite with him in the militant cause. As they spend more time together, Kripal and Veeran begin to rekindle their relationship.


Soon afterwards, the missile shooter arrives, and Sanathan introduces Veerendar Kaur. Kripal is shocked to find that Veerendar is his fiancée, Veeran. After they finally speak together alone, Kripal is horrified to learn that Jaswant had been taken in for questioning after Khurana's murder. He was beaten viciously and driven to commit suicide in jail. His mother died soon after learning of this tragedy, leaving Veeran alone. After receiving daily visits from Inspector Vohra, Veeran decided to follow in Kripal's footsteps and reunite with him. Kripal and Veeran begin to grow close again.
Veeran quickly becomes an integral part of the group, bringing a sense of normalcy and the simple pleasures of daily life to the otherwise hardened outlaws. She forms close friendships with the group members, particularly Sanatan and Wazir. The group's next mission is to assassinate MP Kedar Nath, who survived Jimmy's previous assassination attempt, during his visit to a local Sikh shrine. In the midst of their stay together, Kripal and Veeran decide to marry in secret. Unbeknownst to Kripal, Veeran quietly takes his [[cyanide]] pill, a last-resort measure carried by each member in case of capture.


Veeran is a welcome addition to the household, bringing the simple joys of ordinary life to the band of outlaws and developing a close friendship with the others, especially Sanathan and Wazir. The mission is revealed to be a plot to assassinate MP Kedar Nath, who had survived Jimmy's assassination attempt, as he arrives for a visit to a local Sikh shrine. During their stay together, Kripal and Veeran decide to get married quietly. Veeran quietly steals the [[cyanide]] pill from Kripal that each group member has and is supposed to use if ever caught by police.
While scouting the Sikh shrine for surveillance, Kripal unexpectedly spots Inspector Vohra, overseeing security for Kedar Nath's visit. Kripal tracks Vohra to his residence but is caught in the act of attempting to kill him and arrested. One of the group's members witnesses Kripal entering Vohra's residence. Based on the fact that Kripal did not take his cyanide pill, Sanatan becomes convinced that Kripal has betrayed them to the police. He accuses Veeran of helping Kripal and orders her to be placed under house arrest. On the day of the mission, Sanatan orders the group to proceed and instructs Wazir to kill Veeran. However, Veeran manages to escape and slain Wazir.


While visiting the Sikh shrine to begin surveillance, Kripal spots Inspector Vohra, who is in charge of the security arrangements during Kedar Nath's visit. Kripal tracks Vohra to the house where he is staying but, while attempting to kill him, is caught by Vohra and arrested by police. Meanwhile, one of the group members spots Kripal entering Vohra's residence. Arguing that if Kripal had been loyal, he would have taken the cyanide pill to kill himself, Sanathan concludes that Kripal was a police informer. Sanathan also accuses Veeran of helping Kripal and orders her into house arrest. On the day of the mission, Sanathan orders the group to move and tells Wazir to kill Veeran. However, Veeran breaks free and kills Wazir. In the meantime, Jaimal and Sanathan execute the plot. Jimmy is shot dead while stopping Kedar Nath's motorcade on a bridge. Sanathan, as planned, fires the missile to blow up Kedar Nath's car. On the run, Sanathan finds himself being tracked closely, not by the police but by Veeran herself. Veeran lures him into the depths of wood and shoots him dead.
Meanwhile, Jaimal and Sanatan begin the mission. Jaimal is killed as he stops Kedar Nath's motorcade on a bridge, but Sanatan succeeds in firing the missile and blowing up Kedar Nath's car. Now, on the run, Sanathan is hunted not by the police but by Veeran herself. In a final confrontation deep in the woods, Veeran kills Sanatan.


Veeran, who has not been exposed as a member of the group, visits Kripal in prison. She hugs Kripal, and while embracing him, she slips Kripal his cyanide pill and departs. The movie ends with a shot of Kripal lying dead peacefully on his prison bed and a shot of the back of a moving pickup tractor where Veeran is peacefully sleeping upright with a nose bleed, indicating they both took the cyanide pill.
Veeran, still unrecognized as part of the militant group, visits Kripal in prison. During a seemingly innocent embrace, she discreetly passes him the cyanide pill. The film concludes with Kripal lying peacefully dead in his prison cell, having taken the cyanide. At the same time, Veeran is shown sitting upright in the back of a moving pickup tractor, blood streaming from her nose, indicating that she has taken the cyanide pill, too.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
Line 59: Line 62:
* [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]] as Virender Kaur a.k.a. Veeran
* [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]] as Virender Kaur a.k.a. Veeran
* [[Chandrachur Singh]] as Kripal Singh a.k.a. Pali
* [[Chandrachur Singh]] as Kripal Singh a.k.a. Pali
* [[Om Puri]] as Sanatan
* [[Om Puri]] as Sanatan
* [[Kulbhushan Kharbanda]] as Commander
* [[Kulbhushan Kharbanda]] as Commander
* [[Kanwaljit Singh (actor)|Kanwaljit Singh]] as Inspector Vohra
* [[Kanwaljit Singh (actor)|Kanwaljit Singh]] as Inspector Vohra
* [[S M Zaheer]] as Khurana
* [[S M Zaheer]] as Khurana
* [[Raj Zutshi]] as Jaswant Singh Randhawa a.k.a. Jassi
* [[Raj Zutshi]] as Jaswant Singh Randhawa a.k.a. Jassi
*[[Banwari Taneja]] as Kripal Singh's Grandfather
*Banwari Taneja as Kripal Singh's Grandfather
* [[Jimmy Sheirgill]] as Jaimal Singh a.k.a. Jimmy<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/jimmy-sheirgill-debut-film-maachis-first-of-many-5881851/|title=First of Many: Jimmy Sheirgill revisits Maachis|date=4 September 2019}}</ref>
* [[Jimmy Sheirgill]] as Jaimal Singh a.k.a. Jimmy<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/jimmy-sheirgill-debut-film-maachis-first-of-many-5881851/|title=First of Many: Jimmy Sheirgill revisits Maachis|date=4 September 2019}}</ref>
* [[Ravi Gossain]] as Kul
* [[Ravi Gossain]] as Kuldeep
* Suneel Sinha as Wazir Singh a.k.a. Wazira
* Suneel Sinha as Wazir Singh a.k.a. Wazira
* Amrik Gill as Nanoo
* Amrik Gill as Nanoo
* [[Navnindra Behl]] as Veeran's mother
* [[Naseeruddin Shah]] as Cameo in open credits
{{colend}}
{{colend}}
== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name      = Maachis
| type      = soundtrack
| artist    = [[Vishal Bhardwaj]]
| cover      =
| alt        = Maachis Audio CD
| released  = 08 June 1996
| recorded  =
| venue      =
| studio    =
| genre      = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length    = {{duration|m=43|s=55}}
| label      = PAN Music
| producer  =
| prev_title = [[Sanshodhan]]
| prev_year = 1996
| next_title = [[Tunnu Ki Tina]]
| next_year = 1997
}}
The score and soundtrack are composed by [[Vishal Bhardwaj]] with lyrics by [[Gulzar (lyricist)|Gulzar]]. The CD of the soundtrack features several background pieces from the film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.planetbollywood.com/music/maachis.html |title=Music Review: Maachis |author=Planet Bollywood |access-date=2 May 2014}}</ref>
{{Track listing
| extra_column    = Singer(s)
| total_length    = 57:16
| all_lyrics      = [[Gulzar (lyricist)|Gulzar]]
| all_music      = [[Vishal Bhardwaj]]
| title1          = Chhod Aaye Hum
| extra1          = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], [[Suresh Wadkar]], Vinod Sehgal & [[KK (singer)|KK]]
| length1        = 05:15
| title2          = Tum Gaye
| extra2          = [[Lata Mangeshkar]], [[Sanjeev Abhyankar]]
| length2        = 04:54
| title3          = Yaad Na Aaye
| extra3          = Lata Mangeshkar
| length3        = 06:29
| title4          = Aey Hawaa
| extra4          = Lata Mangeshkar
| length4        = 06:29
| title5          = Pani Pani Re
| extra5          = Lata Mangeshkar
| length5        = 05:09
| title6          = Tum Gaye
| extra6          = Hariharan
| length6        = 04:55
| title7          = Bhej Kahaar
| extra7          = Lata Mangeshkar
| length7        = 03:25
| title8          = Chappa Chappa
| extra8          = Hariharan, Suresh Wadkar
| length8        = 04:27
}}


== Release ==
== Release ==
''Maachis'' was originally scheduled to be released on 18 October 1996, but was delayed a week to 25 October 1996.
''Maachis'' was originally scheduled to be released on October 18, 1996, but its release was delayed by a week to 25 October 1996.


==Controversy==
== Controversy ==
Maachis was banned in [[Malaysia]] by the censor board on grounds that "it may hurt religious sentiments."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rediff On The NeT: Malaysia bans Hindi film Machis |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/sep/10mach.htm |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=www.rediff.com}}</ref>
Maachis was banned in [[Malaysia]] by the censor board on grounds that "it may hurt religious sentiments."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rediff On The NeT: Malaysia bans Hindi film Machis |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/sep/10mach.htm |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=www.rediff.com}}</ref>
Part of the song "Chhod Aaye Hum" is inspired, without credits, by the Oscar-winner composer [[Nicola Piovani]]'s main theme of the Italian film [[Caro diario]], directed by [[Nanni Moretti]].


== Accolades ==
== Accolades ==
Line 196: Line 140:
| rowspan="2"| [[44th National Film Awards|15 July 1997]]
| rowspan="2"| [[44th National Film Awards|15 July 1997]]
| [[National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment|Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment]]
| [[National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment|Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment]]
| Producer: {{sort|Pandit|[[R. V. Pandit]]}}<br/>Director: {{sort|Gulzar|[[Gulzar]]}}
| Producer: {{sort|Pandit|[[R. V. Pandit]]}}<br />Director: {{sort|Gulzar|[[Gulzar]]}}
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/73_44thNfacatalogue.pdf |title=44th National Film Awards |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals |access-date=29 June 2021 |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725232620/http://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/73_44thNfacatalogue.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/73_44thNfacatalogue.pdf |title=44th National Film Awards |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals |access-date=29 June 2021 |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725232620/http://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/73_44thNfacatalogue.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>
Line 223: Line 167:
|-
|-
|}
|}
== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name        = Maachis
| type        = soundtrack
| artist      = [[Vishal Bhardwaj]]
| cover        =
| alt          = Maachis Audio CD
| released    = 8 June 1996
| recorded    =
| venue        =
| studio      =
| genre        = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length      = {{duration|m=43|s=55}}
| label        = PAN Music
| producer    =
| prev_title  = [[Sanshodhan]]
| prev_year    = 1996
| next_title  = [[Tunnu Ki Tina]]
| next_year    = 1997
}}
The score and soundtrack for ''Maachis'' were composed by [[Vishal Bhardwaj]], with lyrics written by [[Gulzar]]. The soundtrack album includes several background score pieces from the film, complementing its intense narrative and themes.<ref>{{cite web |author=Planet Bollywood |title=Music Review: Maachis |url=http://www.planetbollywood.com/music/maachis.html |access-date=2 May 2014}}</ref>
The song "Chhod Aaye Hum" marked the debut of singer [[KK (singer)|KK]] as a playback singer in Hindi cinema.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 June 2022 |title=Watch KK sing Chhod Aaye Hum from Maachis, leave Gulzar in awe |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/music/watch-kk-sing-chhod-aaye-hum-from-maachis-as-gulzar-sits-and-listens-101654182739937.html |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
{{Track listing
| extra_column  = Singer(s)
| total_length  = 43:55
| all_lyrics    = [[Gulzar (lyricist)|Gulzar]]
| all_music    = [[Vishal Bhardwaj]]
| title1        = Chhod Aaye Hum
| extra1        = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], [[Suresh Wadkar]], Vinod Sehgal & [[KK (singer)|KK]]
| length1      = 05:15
| title2        = Tum Gaye
| extra2        = [[Lata Mangeshkar]], [[Sanjeev Abhyankar]]
| length2      = 04:54
| title3        = Yaad Na Aaye
| extra3        = Lata Mangeshkar
| length3      = 06:29
| title4        = Aey Hawaa
| extra4        = Lata Mangeshkar
| length4      = 06:29
| title5        = Pani Pani Re
| extra5        = Lata Mangeshkar
| length5      = 05:09
| title6        = Tum Gaye (Film Version)
| extra6        = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]]
| length6      = 04:55
| title7        = Bhej Kahaar
| extra7        = Lata Mangeshkar
| length7      = 03:25
| title8        = Chappa Chappa
| extra8        = Hariharan, Suresh Wadkar
| length8      = 04:27
| title9        = Maachis Theme Opening
| extra9        = Vishal Bhardwaj
| length9      = 01:49
| title10        = Maachis Theme Closing
| extra10        = Vishal Bhardwaj
| length10      = 02:57
}}


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
Line 237: Line 243:


[[Category:1996 films]]
[[Category:1996 films]]
[[Category:1990s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:1996 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Films about terrorism in India]]
[[Category:Films about terrorism in India]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actress National Award-winning performance]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actress National Award–winning performance]]
[[Category:Films about massacres of Sikhs]]
[[Category:Films about massacres of Sikhs]]
[[Category:Films scored by Vishal Bhardwaj]]
[[Category:Films scored by Vishal Bhardwaj]]
[[Category:Films directed by Gulzar]]
[[Category:Films directed by Gulzar]]
[[Category:Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Insurgency in Punjab in fiction]]
[[Category:Fiction about the insurgency in Punjab]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of police departments in India]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of police departments in India]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Punjab Police (India)]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Punjab Police (India)]]
[[Category:Films about religious violence in India]]

Latest revision as of 05:08, 4 March 2026


Template:AI-generated

Maachis
Poster
Directed byGulzar
Produced byR. V. Pandit
Written byGulzar
StarringChandrachur Singh
Tabu
Om Puri
Jimmy Sheirgill
Music byVishal Bhardwaj
CinematographyManmohan Singh
Edited byM. Ravi & Sadanand Shetty
Distributed byEros Entertainment
Release date
  • 25 October 1996 (1996-10-25)
Running time
168 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹20 million[1]
Box officeest. ₹63.6 million[1]

Maachis (transl. Matchsticks) is a 1996 Indian Hindi-language period political thriller film written and directed by Gulzar. The film stars Chandrachur Singh, Om Puri, Tabu, and Jimmy Sheirgill. The film is set against the backdrop of the Sikh insurgency in Punjab during the 1980s. The plot delves into the personal and political turmoil faced by individuals caught in violence and explores themes of state repression, vengeance, and the radicalization of youth.[2]

The film was released on 25 October 1996. Maachis received critical acclaim for its direction, story, screenplay, dialogue, and music. The film emerged as a commercial success at the box-office, grossing ₹6.19 crore against a production budget of ₹2 crore.

At the 44th National Film Awards, Maachis won 2 awards – Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Actress (Tabu). At the 42nd Filmfare Awards, the film received 10 nominations, including Best Film, Best Director (Gulzar), Best Actress (Tabu), and Best Supporting Actor (Puri), and won 4 awards, including Best Male Debut (Chandrachur) and R. D. Burman Award (Bhardwaj).

Plot[edit | edit source]

The story is set during the mid-to-late 1980s in Punjab, India, a period marked by violent insurgency triggered by Operation Blue Star, the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and the subsequent 1984 Sikh Massacre. The narrative unfolds through a series of intense flashbacks.

Jaswant Singh Randhawa and his sister, Veerendar "Veeran," live peacefully with their elderly mother, Biji, in a rural village. Kripal Singh, Jaswant’s childhood friend and Veeran’s fiancé, lives nearby with his grandfather. Their tranquil existence is shattered when Assistant Commissioner of Police Khurana and Inspector Vohra arrive in search of Jimmy, who is accused of attempting to murder a member of the Indian Parliament, Kedar Nath.

When interrogated, Jaswant plays a prank by leading the police to his puppy, Jimmy. Infuriated by his defiance, Khurana and Vohra take Jaswant into custody. Kripal desperately searches for Jaswant, visiting several police stations but finding no trace of him. After 15 days, Jaswant returns home, severely beaten and scarred from brutal police torture, all for a harmless prank.

Kripal, outraged by the police brutality, seeks help through legal channels but finds no justice. Frustrated, he decides to track down his cousin Jeetay, who is connected to militant groups. Kripal’s search leads him to a highway restaurant (dhabha), where he encounters Sanatan, a militant who had planted a bomb on a bus. Kripal asks for Sanatan's help, and Sanatan reluctantly agrees, allowing Kripal to travel with him, a "Commander," and other militants in a truck loaded with bombs.

Once they arrive at the militant hideout, Kripal explains his situation. The Commander reveals that he killed Jeetay for being a police informant. Despite Kripal’s plea for assistance, the Commander rebukes him, stating that they are not professional killers and that if Kripal wants justice, he must take matters into his own hands by killing Khurana by himself.

Kripal gradually earns the trust and respect of the militant group. Sanatan explains that Kripal's fight is not about nationalism or religion, but about defending fundamental civil rights and resisting a corrupt system that victimizes the innocent and devalues ordinary citizens. It is revealed that Sanatan himself is a survivor of the communal violence during the Partition of India in 1947 and lost most of his family in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He asserts that the ruling class manipulates society by dividing it along religious lines for political gain.

Kripal trains with the group and plans the assassination of Khurana. After a year of preparation, he successfully kills Khurana in a crowded marketplace. Horrified by his actions, Kripal visits Jaswant and Veeran one last time before going into hiding, but both are appalled at what he has done. When Kripal returns to the hideout, he finds it deserted. After staying undercover for a while, he is contacted by a group member who signals that he should prepare for a move. The Commander escorts him to a new hiding place in Himachal Pradesh and informs him that the police have connected him to Khurana’s murder, tracing it back to the incident involving Jaswant.

As Kripal settles into life on the run, he realizes there is no returning to normalcy. He finds solace in the militant group, which is preparing for a new mission and awaiting the arrival of a missile specialist. Kripal briefly considers applying for a local job, but Sanatan warns him that he is now branded a high-profile terrorist by the media, a convenient target for police looking for promotions. One of the group members, Kuldip, narrowly escapes a police encounter while transporting explosives and is left shaken. Desperate to escape, he begs Sanatan for permission to return home, promising to emigrate to Canada. Reluctantly, Sanatan agrees. However, unbeknownst to the group, Kuldip is killed by a bomb hidden in his backpack as he heads home.

Kripal also learns that one of his comrades, Jaimal Singh, is the same Jimmy the police had been hunting all along. Soon after, the group's awaited missile specialist arrives, and to Kripal's shock, it is none other than his fiancée, Veerendar "Veeran" Kaur. The two finally speak privately, and Kripal is devastated to learn that after Khurana's assassination, Jaswant was taken in for questioning, brutally beaten, and ultimately driven to commit suicide while in jail. Their mother died shortly after hearing the news, leaving Veeran alone. Subjected to daily harassment by Inspector Vohra, Veeran decided to follow Kripal’s path and reunite with him in the militant cause. As they spend more time together, Kripal and Veeran begin to rekindle their relationship.

Veeran quickly becomes an integral part of the group, bringing a sense of normalcy and the simple pleasures of daily life to the otherwise hardened outlaws. She forms close friendships with the group members, particularly Sanatan and Wazir. The group's next mission is to assassinate MP Kedar Nath, who survived Jimmy's previous assassination attempt, during his visit to a local Sikh shrine. In the midst of their stay together, Kripal and Veeran decide to marry in secret. Unbeknownst to Kripal, Veeran quietly takes his cyanide pill, a last-resort measure carried by each member in case of capture.

While scouting the Sikh shrine for surveillance, Kripal unexpectedly spots Inspector Vohra, overseeing security for Kedar Nath's visit. Kripal tracks Vohra to his residence but is caught in the act of attempting to kill him and arrested. One of the group's members witnesses Kripal entering Vohra's residence. Based on the fact that Kripal did not take his cyanide pill, Sanatan becomes convinced that Kripal has betrayed them to the police. He accuses Veeran of helping Kripal and orders her to be placed under house arrest. On the day of the mission, Sanatan orders the group to proceed and instructs Wazir to kill Veeran. However, Veeran manages to escape and slain Wazir.

Meanwhile, Jaimal and Sanatan begin the mission. Jaimal is killed as he stops Kedar Nath's motorcade on a bridge, but Sanatan succeeds in firing the missile and blowing up Kedar Nath's car. Now, on the run, Sanathan is hunted not by the police but by Veeran herself. In a final confrontation deep in the woods, Veeran kills Sanatan.

Veeran, still unrecognized as part of the militant group, visits Kripal in prison. During a seemingly innocent embrace, she discreetly passes him the cyanide pill. The film concludes with Kripal lying peacefully dead in his prison cell, having taken the cyanide. At the same time, Veeran is shown sitting upright in the back of a moving pickup tractor, blood streaming from her nose, indicating that she has taken the cyanide pill, too.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Release[edit | edit source]

Maachis was originally scheduled to be released on October 18, 1996, but its release was delayed by a week to 25 October 1996.

Controversy[edit | edit source]

Maachis was banned in Malaysia by the censor board on grounds that "it may hurt religious sentiments."[4]

Part of the song "Chhod Aaye Hum" is inspired, without credits, by the Oscar-winner composer Nicola Piovani's main theme of the Italian film Caro diario, directed by Nanni Moretti.

Accolades[edit | edit source]

Award[lower-alpha 1] Date of ceremony[lower-alpha 2] Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Filmfare Awards 23 February 1997 Best Film Maachis Nominated [5]
[6]
[7]
Best Director Gulzar Nominated
Best Story Won
Best Dialogue Won
Best Actress Tabu Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Om Puri Nominated
Best Male Debut Chandrachur Singh Won
Best Music Director Vishal Bhardwaj Nominated
R. D. Burman Award Won
Best Lyricist Gulzar (for "Chappa Chappa") Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer Hariharan and Suresh Wadkar (for "Chappa Chappa") Nominated
National Film Awards 15 July 1997 Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment Producer: R. V. Pandit
Director: Gulzar 		Won [8]
Best Actress Tabu Won
Screen Awards 1997 Best Story Gulzar Won [9]
Best Dialogue Won
Best Male Debut Chandrachur Singh Won
Best Sound Recording Narinder Singh Won

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

Maachis
Soundtrack album by
Vishal Bhardwaj
Released8 June 1996
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length43:55
LabelPAN Music
Vishal Bhardwaj chronology
Sanshodhan
(1996) 		Maachis
(1996) 		Tunnu Ki Tina
(1997)

The score and soundtrack for Maachis were composed by Vishal Bhardwaj, with lyrics written by Gulzar. The soundtrack album includes several background score pieces from the film, complementing its intense narrative and themes.[10]

The song "Chhod Aaye Hum" marked the debut of singer KK as a playback singer in Hindi cinema.[11]

All lyrics are written by Gulzar; all music is composed by Vishal Bhardwaj.

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Chhod Aaye Hum"Hariharan, Suresh Wadkar, Vinod Sehgal & KK05:15
2."Tum Gaye"Lata Mangeshkar, Sanjeev Abhyankar04:54
3."Yaad Na Aaye"Lata Mangeshkar06:29
4."Aey Hawaa"Lata Mangeshkar06:29
5."Pani Pani Re"Lata Mangeshkar05:09
6."Tum Gaye (Film Version)"Hariharan04:55
7."Bhej Kahaar"Lata Mangeshkar03:25
8."Chappa Chappa"Hariharan, Suresh Wadkar04:27
9."Maachis Theme Opening"Vishal Bhardwaj01:49
10."Maachis Theme Closing"Vishal Bhardwaj02:57
Total length:43:55

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Awards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order.
  2. ↑ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Maachis Budget and Box Office". Box Office India. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  2. ↑ "Maachis: Still lit, after all these years". Hindustan Times. 12 February 2021.
  3. ↑ "First of Many: Jimmy Sheirgill revisits Maachis". 4 September 2019.
  4. ↑ "Rediff On The NeT: Malaysia bans Hindi film Machis". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  5. ↑ "Nominations for the 42nd annual Filmfare awards are". Filmfare. The Times Group. Archived from the original on 28 April 1997. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  6. ↑ "Winners of 42nd annual Filmfare awards". Filmfare. The Times Group. Archived from the original on 28 April 1997. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  7. ↑ "The Winners". Filmfare. The Times Group. Archived from the original on 28 April 1997. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  8. ↑ "44th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "Screen Award winners for the year 1996 are". Screen India. Indian Express Limited. Archived from the original on 7 January 2004. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  10. ↑ Planet Bollywood. "Music Review: Maachis". Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  11. ↑ "Watch KK sing Chhod Aaye Hum from Maachis, leave Gulzar in awe". Hindustan Times. 3 June 2022.

External links[edit | edit source]

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