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{{short description|1993 film by Abbas-Mustan}}
{{short description|1993 film directed by Abbas-Mustan}}
{{For|the tribe|Bazigar}}
{{For|the tribe|Bazigar}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2014}}
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| producer      = [[Ganesh Jain]]<br>[[Champak Jain]]
| producer      = [[Ganesh Jain]]<br>[[Champak Jain]]
| writer        = [[Robin Bhatt]] <br />[[Akash Khurana]] <br />[[Javed Siddiqui]]
| writer        = [[Robin Bhatt]] <br />[[Akash Khurana]] <br />[[Javed Siddiqui]]
| starring      = [[Shah Rukh Khan]]<br />[[Kajol]]<br />[[Siddharth Ray]]<br />[[Shilpa Shetty]]<br />[[Rakhee Gulzar]]<br/>[[Dalip Tahil]]<br />[[Johnny Lever]]
| starring      = [[Shah Rukh Khan]]<br />[[Kajol]]<br />[[Shilpa Shetty]]<br />[[Rakhee Gulzar]]<br/>[[Dalip Tahil]]<br />[[Siddharth Ray]]<br />[[Johnny Lever]]
| music          = '''Songs:'''<br>[[Anu Malik]]
| music          = '''Songs:'''<br>[[Anu Malik]]
| cinematography = Thomas A. Xavier
| cinematography = Thomas A. Xavier
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| studio        = [[Venus Records & Tapes|Venus Movies]]
| studio        = [[Venus Records & Tapes|Venus Movies]]
| distributor    = [[Eros International]]
| distributor    = [[Eros International]]
| released      = {{Film date|df=y|1993|11|12|[[India]]}}
| released      = {{film date|df=yes|1993|11|12|[[India]]}}
| runtime        = 182 minutes
| runtime        = 182 minutes
| country        = [[India]]
| country        = [[India]]
| language      = [[Hindi]]
| language      = Hindi
| budget        = {{INR}}2 [[crore]]
| budget        = {{INR}}4 crore
| gross          = {{INR}}14–18 [[crore]]
| gross          = {{INR}}320 crore
}}
}}
'''''Baazigar''''' ({{Translation|''[[Gambler]]''}}) is a 1993 Indian [[Bollywood|Hindi]] language [[action thriller film]] directed by [[Abbas–Mustan]] and produced by [[Venus Records & Tapes|Venus Movies]]. It stars [[Shah Rukh Khan]], [[Kajol]] and [[Dalip Tahil]]; while [[Raakhee]], [[Shilpa Shetty]], [[Siddharth Ray]], and [[Johnny Lever]] appear in supporting roles. It is a contemporary thriller about a young man seeking to avenge the fall of his family. The story is loosely based on [[Ira Levin]]'s 1953 novel ''[[A Kiss Before Dying (novel)|A Kiss Before Dying]]'' and its 1991 film adaptation of the [[A Kiss Before Dying (1991 film)|same name]].<ref>{{cite book|author=M.K. Raghavendra|author-link=M.K. Raghavendra|title=Seduced by the Familiar: Narration and Meaning in Indian Popular Cinema|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kiwpDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT258|date=15 December 2014|publisher=OUP India|isbn=978-0-19-908798-3|page=258}}</ref> This was Shah Rukh Khan's [[breakthrough role]] as the sole lead (his first as an [[anti-hero]]), Kajol's first commercial success and Shetty's film debut.<ref>{{Cite web | title = From 'Baazigar' to 'Dilwale' - A look at SRK and Kajol's on-screen magic | work = The Express Tribune | date = 13 June 2015 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = http://tribune.com.pk/story/902961/from-baazigar-to-dilwale-srk-and-kajol-create-magic-on-screen/ }}</ref> The film also features [[Dalip Tahil]], [[Raakhee]], [[Siddharth Ray]] and [[Johnny Lever]] as other supporting characters with soundtrack composition by [[Anu Malik]].<ref>{{Cite web | title = Rediff On The Net, Movies: An interview with Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty | last = Taliculam | first = Sharmila | work = Rediff.com | date = 4 April 1997 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = http://www.rediff.com/entertai/apr/04shilpa.htm }}</ref>


''Baazigar'' had a global theatrical premiere on 12 November 1993, coinciding with [[Diwali]].<ref name="fp">{{Cite web | title = Baazigar to Krrish 3: Diwali hits, misses and clashes from Bollywood |work = Firstpost | date = 22 October 2014 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/diwali-bollywood-releases-1744351.html}}</ref> Made on a budget of {{INR}}20 million, the film was declared a super hit at box office with worldwide accumulation of {{INR}}140 million.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Fan trailer tonight: 5 times Shah Rukh Khan wowed us with his 'dark side' | work = Daily News & Analysis | date = 29 February 2016 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-fan-trailer-5-times-shah-rukh-khan-wowed-us-with-his-dark-side-2183908 | language = en  }}</ref> Apart from emerging as a major financial success, the film has become a [[cult film]] over years due to its suspense, screenplay, story, music and starcast performances.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Katiyar|first1=Arun|title=What the stars don't foretell|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hindi-film-industry-big-budgets-superstars-no-longer-guarantee-film-performance-at-box-office/1/295381.html|website=India Today|access-date=23 July 2016|date=30 April 1994}}</ref> It helped establish Khan, Kajol, Shetty and Malik in Bollywood and the soundtrack has sold over 10{{nbsp}}million units.<ref name="indiatoday"/>
'''''Baazigar''''' ({{Translation|Gambler}}) is a 1993 Indian [[romantic thriller]] film directed by [[Abbas–Mustan]] and produced by [[Venus Records & Tapes|Venus Movies]]. It stars [[Shah Rukh Khan]] and [[Kajol]] in lead roles while [[Raakhee]], [[Shilpa Shetty]], [[Dalip Tahil]], [[Siddharth Ray]], and [[Johnny Lever]] appear in supporting roles, with the soundtrack composed by [[Anu Malik]]. The film is about a young man seeking to avenge the fall of his family. The story is loosely based on [[Ira Levin]]'s 1953 novel ''[[A Kiss Before Dying (novel)|A Kiss Before Dying]]'' and its 1991 film adaptation of the [[A Kiss Before Dying (1991 film)|same name]].<ref>{{cite book|author=M.K. Raghavendra|author-link=M.K. Raghavendra|title=Seduced by the Familiar: Narration and Meaning in Indian Popular Cinema|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kiwpDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT258|date=15 December 2014|publisher=OUP India|isbn=978-0-19-908798-3|page=258}}</ref> This was Khan's [[breakthrough role]] as the sole lead (his first as an [[anti-hero]]), along with being his eighth film out of eighty throughout his 30-year career, Kajol's first commercial success and Shetty's film debut.<ref>{{Cite web | title = From 'Baazigar' to 'Dilwale' - A look at SRK and Kajol's on-screen magic | work = The Express Tribune | date = 13 June 2015 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = http://tribune.com.pk/story/902961/from-baazigar-to-dilwale-srk-and-kajol-create-magic-on-screen/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Taliculam|first=Sharmila|date=4 April 1997|title=Rediff On The Net, Movies: An interview with Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/apr/04shilpa.htm|access-date=2016-07-23|work=Rediff.com}}</ref>


The film earned 10 nominations at [[39th Filmfare Awards]] ceremony.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-02-26|title=rediff.com: Shah Rukh's best movies!|url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2005/oct/18sld4.htm|access-date=2021-02-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226122111/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2005/oct/18sld4.htm|archive-date=26 February 2008}}</ref> It won [[Filmfare Award for Best Film|Best Film]], Best Screenplay, Best Music and [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for Khan.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Shah Rukh Khan Filmfare Awards 1992 - 2009 | work = YouTube | date = 30 May 2009 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM_0MOl7bNM}}</ref> A [[Telugu language|Telugu]] remake, ''Vetagadu'', was released in 1995,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/interview_tammareddy.html|title=Telugu Cinema Etc - Idlebrain.com|website=www.idlebrain.com}}</ref> before a [[Tamil language|Tamil]] remake, ''[[Samrat (1997 film)|Samrat]]'', was released in 1997 and a [[Kannada]] remake, ''[[Nagarahavu (2002 film)|Nagarahavu]]'', was released in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/nagarahavu-naagarahaavu-aka-shivanagam-movie-review-live-audience-response-699468|title=Nagarahavu aka Shivanagam movie review: Live audience response|first=Prakash|last=Upadhyaya|date=14 October 2016|website=www.ibtimes.co.in}}</ref>
''Baazigar'' was released on 12 November 1993, coinciding with [[Diwali]].<ref name="fp">{{Cite web | title = Baazigar to Krrish 3: Diwali hits, misses and clashes from Bollywood |work = Firstpost | date = 22 October 2014 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/diwali-bollywood-releases-1744351.html}}</ref> Made on a budget of {{INR}}40 million, the film was declared a success at the box office with a worldwide gross of {{INR}}320 million.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Fan trailer tonight: 5 times Shah Rukh Khan wowed us with his 'dark side' | work = Daily News & Analysis | date = 29 February 2016 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-fan-trailer-5-times-shah-rukh-khan-wowed-us-with-his-dark-side-2183908 | language = en  }}</ref> Apart from emerging as a major financial success, the film has become a [[cult film]] over years due to its suspense, screenplay, story, music and performances of the cast.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Katiyar|first1=Arun|title=What the stars don't foretell|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hindi-film-industry-big-budgets-superstars-no-longer-guarantee-film-performance-at-box-office/1/295381.html|website=India Today|access-date=23 July 2016|date=30 April 1994}}</ref> It was the first collaboration between Khan and Kajol, who went on to become one of India's most beloved on-screen couples. It helped establish Khan, Kajol, Shetty and Malik in Hindi films and the soundtrack has sold over 10{{nbsp}}million units.<ref name="indiatoday"/>
 
At the [[39th Filmfare Awards]], the film earned 10 nominations and won 4 awards including [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for Khan and [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]] for Malik.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Shah Rukh Khan Filmfare Awards 1992 - 2009 | work = YouTube | date = 30 May 2009 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM_0MOl7bNM}}</ref> A [[Telugu film|Telugu]] remake, ''Vetagadu'', was released in 1995,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.idlebrain.com/celeb/interview/interview_tammareddy.html|title=Telugu Cinema Etc - Idlebrain.com|website=www.idlebrain.com}}</ref> before a [[Tamil film|Tamil]] remake, ''[[Samrat (1997 film)|Samrat]]'', was released in 1997 and a [[Kannada film|Kannada]] remake, ''[[Nagarahavu (2002 film)|Nagarahavu]]'', was released in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/nagarahavu-naagarahaavu-aka-shivanagam-movie-review-live-audience-response-699468|title=Nagarahavu aka Shivanagam movie review: Live audience response|first=Prakash|last=Upadhyaya|date=14 October 2016|website=www.ibtimes.co.in}}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
Ajay Sharma has grown up to seek revenge for his father's death caused by Madan Chopra, a rich businessman who has two daughters namely Seema and Priya.
Ajay Sharma is a young boy who grows up to seek revenge for his father's death caused by Madan Chopra, a rich businessman. Chopra has two daughters; the elder is Seema, and the younger is Priya. Ajay begins a secret relationship with Seema. Chopra takes part in his last car race in [[Madras]], only to learn that another participant, Vicky Malhotra, who Ajay assumes the role as, let him win on purpose to meet him. Chopra is impressed with 'Vicky', and Priya falls in love with him. This way, Ajay manages to date both Seema and Priya using different identities.
 
Ajay begins a secret relationship with Seema. Madan takes part in his last car race only to learn that another participant Vicky, who Ajay assumes the role as, let him win on purpose to meet him.
 
Madan is impressed with him; Priya falls in love with him. This way, Ajay dates both daughters in different identities. Later, he asks Seema to commit suicide with him when Madan arranges her marriage with someone else.
 
They write and sign suicide notes, but he lies that he was testing her and rips up his note while keeping hers. They plan wedding at registrar's office the next day.
 
However while waiting for the office to open, Ajay takes Seema to roof of the building and pushes her off, murdering her. He then discreetly mails her suicide note to her home.
 
Madan hastily orders the case closed to prevent further embarrassment. Suspecting Seema cannot do suicide, Priya secretly continues the investigation with Inspector Karan Saxena.
 
Seema's colleague Ravi who had a crush on her, tells Priya that he has a photo of Seema with Ajay at a party back at his hostel. Before she can reach Ravi to see photo, Ajay finds out and murders him.
 
In their struggle he forces him to sign a suicide note which makes it appear as Ravi is Seema's murderer. The investigation is halted a second time. Meanwhile Ajay, posing as 'Vicky', slowly wins Madan's confidence.
 
In past, Madan was a project manager in the company run by Ajay's late father Vishwanath who got Madan imprisoned for 3 years upon knowing he was embezzling money.
 
After Madan completed his jail term, he apologized and Vishwanath's wife Shobha persuaded him to re-employ Madan. However unbeknownst to anyone, Madan had returned to exact revenge.


One day, Vishwanath was going on a business trip so he handed the power of attorney to Madan who used this to become the company's owner. Vishwanath learns of this after return but it got late.
Later, Ajay convinces Seema to commit suicide with him, when her father arranges her marriage with someone else. They write and sign suicide notes, but he then lies that he was simply testing her and rips up his note while keeping hers. They make plans to get married at the registrar's office the next day. However, while waiting for the office to open, Ajay takes Seema to the roof of the building and pushes her off, murdering her. He then discreetly mails her suicide note to her home. Chopra hastily orders the case closed to prevent further embarrassment should the suicide note be discovered. Suspecting that her sister didn't commit suicide, Priya secretly continues the investigation with the help of police inspector Karan Saxena, an old friend from college.


His family was ejected from their palatial home after Madan took a loan on Vishwanath's name. Ajay witnessed Madan eve-teasing Shobha when she came to ask for their home back.
Ravi, a college friend of Seema who had a crush on her, tells Priya that he has a photo of Seema and Ajay together at a birthday party back at his hostel. Before Priya can reach Ravi to see the photo, Ajay finds out about this and murders Ravi. In their struggle, Ajay forces him to sign a suicide note, which makes it appear as though Ravi is Seema's murderer. Thus, the investigation is halted a second time. Meanwhile, Ajay, posing as 'Vicky', slowly wins Chopra's confidence. Chopra decides to get 'Vicky' and Priya engaged.


She subsequently cursed him to tragedy and helplessness later on in life. Heartbroken, Ajay vowed to make Madan pay. Ajay's only mission in life now became the downfall of Madan.
It is revealed through a flashback that Chopra had been a project manager in the company run by Ajay's late father Mr. Sharma, but when Sharma discovered that he was embezzling money, he had Chopra imprisoned for three years. After Madan completed his jail term, he asked for forgiveness, and Sharma's wife persuaded her husband to re-employ him. However, unbeknownst to anyone, Chopra had returned to exact revenge. One day, Sharma had to go on a business trip, so he handed the power of attorney to Chopra, who used the opportunity to become the company's owner. Sharma learned of this after returning, but it was too late. His family was ejected from their palatial home after Chopra took a loan on Sharma's name. Ajay witnessed Chopra eve-teasing his mother when she came to ask for their home back, and she subsequently cursed him to tragedy and helplessness later on in life. Heartbroken, Ajay vowed to make Chopra pay, and his only mission in life now is the downfall of Chopra.


Back in the present, Seema's friend Anjali meets Priya and Ajay at a shop. She also discovers a photo of Seema and Ajay at her party. Priya and 'Vicky' get engaged.  
Back in the present, Seema's friend Anjali meets Priya and Ajay at a jewellery shop. She also discovers a photo of Seema and Ajay at her birthday party. 'Vicky' and Priya get engaged that evening. Anjali phones the Chopra residence during Ajay's engagement party to warn them that Ajay and 'Vicky' look the same, to which Babulal, head servant of the Chopra household, answers. As Babulal tries to inform Priya about this, Ajay intercepts the phone call, arrives at Anjali's place, and kills her, stuffing her body in a suitcase and throwing it in a river.


Anjali tries to warn Chopras that Ajay is 'Vicky'. Ajay arrives at her place and kills her, stuffing her body in suitcase and throwing in a river. History repeats itself as Madan hands over attorney power to 'Vicky'.
History repeats itself with Chopra handing over the power of attorney to 'Vicky' when he has to go on a business trip. However, a man and his dog find Anjali's body soon after on a beach, and when Priya and Inspector Karan hear about this, they realize that the murderer is still alive. Ajay decides to hasten his plans on realizing that Priya and Karan are hellbent on finding the killer, and that he has fallen in love with Priya. His plans hit a glitch when he and Priya run into the real Vicky Malhotra, Ajay's friend, whose identity he had taken, which makes Priya suspicious. After Chopra returns from his business trip, he is shocked to find that the company is run by the Sharma group. Ajay reveals the truth of his desire to seek revenge and kicks Chopra out.


However a man and his dog find the body and Priya realizes that the killer is alive. Ajay hastens his plans realising Priya is hellbent on finding the killer and he has fallen in love with her.  
Priya learns of Ajay's true identity from his friend, Vicky and rushes to Ajay's home in Panvel. She is shocked to see a marriage locket with photos of him with her sister. Ajay comes home, where she confronts him with his misdeeds. He then tells her his story and also tells her that due to the poverty her father forced his family into, his father died of a heart attack, and his younger sister died of illness. His mother went into a state of shock as a result of the loss of her husband and daughter, and in her mental instability, she is unable to recognize Ajay as her son. Priya realizes that it is her father who is at fault as Ajay introduces her to his mother. Chopra arrives at his home, shoots Ajay in the arm, and has his goons beat him up.


His plans hit a glitch when he and Priya run into real Vicky, Ajay's friend whose identity he took which makes Priya suspicious. Madan is shocked to know the company is run by Sharma group after returning from his trip.
Soon his mother comes back to her senses, and when trying to intervene, Chopra injures her, angering Ajay. He fights the goons viciously and is about to kill Chopra when he is persuaded by police inspector Karan to have mercy for his mother's sake. Chopra takes the opportunity to stab him with a rod and laughs maniacally. Ajay laughs back and impales Chopra with the same rod, killing him. He tells his mother that he has regained everything and collapses in her arms. Priya, Inspector Karan, and his mother watch despondently as Ajay succumbs to his injuries, finally at peace.
 
Ajay reveals the truth of his desire to seek revenge and kicks Madan out. Priya learns Ajay's truth from Vicky and rushes to his Panvel home. She is shocked to see a marriage locket in photos of him with Seema.
 
Ajay comes home; Priya confronts him with his misdeeds. He then reveals her his story, telling her due to the poverty Madan gave his family, Vishwanath died of a heart attack and a 2 year-old sister died of illness.
 
Shobha went into a state of shock as a result of the loss of Vishwanath and their daughter, and in her mental instability she is unable to Ajay as her son.
 
Priya realizes that it is Madan who is at fault as Ajay introduces her to Shobha. Madan arrives, shoots Ajay and gets him beaten by goons.
Soon Shobha returns to her senses and Madan injures her, angering Ajay.
 
He fights the goons viciously and is about to kill Madan when Karan persaudes him to have mercy for Shobha's sake. Madan takes the opportunity to stab him with a rod.
 
Ajay laughs and impales Madan with the same rod, killing him. He collapses in Shobha's arms. Priya, Karan and Shobha watch despondently as Ajay dies of his injuries, finally at peace.


==Cast==
==Cast==
* [[Shah Rukh Khan]] as Ajay Sharma / Vicky Malhotra (Fake) — Vishwanath and Shobha's son, Seema's murderer boyfriend, and Priya's fiancé
*[[Shah Rukh Khan]] as Ajay Sharma / fake Vicky Malhotra  
* [[Kajol]] as Priya Chopra — Madan Chopra's younger daughter, Seema's younger sister, and Vicky's fiancé
*[[Kajol]] as Priya Chopra, Seema's younger sister and fake Vicky's fiance'.
* [[Shilpa Shetty]] as Seema Chopra — Madan Chopra's elder daughter, Priya's elder sister, and Ajay's girlfriend who gets murdered by him for revenge on Madan Chopra
*[[Shilpa Shetty]] as Seema Chopra, Priya's elder sister.
* [[Rakhee Gulzar]] as Shobha Sharma Ajay's mother and Vishwanath's widowed wife
*[[Rakhee Gulzar]] as Shobha Sharma, Ajay's mother.
* [[Dalip Tahil]] as Madan Chopra — Seema and Priya's father, Vishwanath's employee, and Vishwanath's killer
*[[Dalip Tahil]] as Madan Chopra, Priya's and Seema's father.
* [[Siddharth Ray]] as Inspector Karan Saxena — Priya's friend
*[[Siddharth Ray]] as Inspector Karan
* [[Johnny Lever]] as Babulal Servant of Chopra Household
*[[Johnny Lever]] as Babulal Head Servant
* [[Anant Mahadevan]] as Vishwanath Sharma Ajay's father who dies after a sudden heart attack that was a plan created by Madan Chopra
*[[Anant Mahadevan]] as Vishwanath Sharma, Ajay's father.
*[[Prithvi Zutshi]] as Desai- Company employee of Madan Chopra
*[[Prithvi Zutshi]] as Suresh Desai
* [[Resham Tipnis]] as Anjali Sinha — Seema's friend 
*[[Resham Tipnis]] as Anjali Sinha
* [[Daboo Malik]] as Ravi Shukla — Seema's friend and obsessive lover
*[[Daboo Malik]] as Ravi Shukla
* [[Dinesh Hingoo]] as Bajodia Seth
*[[Dinesh Hingoo]] as Seth Bajodia
* [[Manmauji Taalia]] as the servant
*Manmauji as Taalia
* [[Adi Irani]] as The real Vicky Malhotra
*[[Adi Irani]] as real Vicky Malhotra
* [[Sumeet Pathak]] as Young Ajay Sharma
*Sharad Sankla as Charlie
* [[Sharad Sankla]] as Charlie (a guy in party)
*[[Raju Srivastav]] as Charlie's friend.
* [[Raju Srivastav]] as a guy in party with Charlie
*[[Harpal Singh]] as Cook Motu
* [[Harpal Singh (actor)]]   as Motu the cook
*Amrut Patel as Seema's driver
* [[Amrut Patel]] as Seema's driver
*[[Anu Malik]] as himself the musician and host at the engagement. (special appearance)
* [[Anu Malik]] as the musician at the engagement
*[[Vinod Rathod]] as himself the singer at the engagement. (special appearance)
*[[Sumeet Pathak]] as Young Ajay Sharma


==Production==
==Production==
The film's premise is a subversion of a concept loosely inspired by a Hollywood film, ''[[A Kiss Before Dying (1991 film)|A Kiss Before Dying]]'' (1991), which itself was based on a novel of [[A Kiss Before Dying (novel)|the same name]]. While it borrows the basic premise, ''Baazigar'' tells a different, subversive story. While [[Matt Dillon]]'s character in ''A Kiss Before Dying'' is a [[villain]] who murders for money, ''Baazigar'' subverts this, with Shah Rukh Khan's character instead being a sympathetic [[anti-hero]] seeking vengeance for the brutal injustices done to his family.<ref name="timesofindia">{{Cite web | title = Baazigar: The rise and fall of Shah Rukh, Kajol and Shilpa Shetty | last = Iyer | first = Meena | work = The Times of India | date = 14 July 2014 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Baazigar-The-rise-and-fall-of-Shah-Rukh-Kajol-and-Shilpa-Shetty/articleshow/38407403.cms}}</ref>
The film's premise is a subversion of a concept loosely inspired by a Hollywood film, ''[[A Kiss Before Dying (1991 film)|A Kiss Before Dying]]'' (1991), which itself was based on a novel of [[A Kiss Before Dying (novel)|the same name]]. While it borrows the basic premise, ''Baazigar'' tells a different, subversive story. While [[Matt Dillon]]'s character in ''A Kiss Before Dying'' is a [[villain]] who murders for money, ''Baazigar'' subverts this, with [[Shah Rukh Khan|Shahrukh Khan]]'s character instead being a sympathetic [[anti-hero]] seeking vengeance for the brutal injustices done to his family.<ref name="timesofindia">{{Cite web | title = Baazigar: The rise and fall of Shah Rukh, Kajol and Shilpa Shetty | last = Iyer | first = Meena | work = The Times of India | date = 14 July 2014 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Baazigar-The-rise-and-fall-of-Shah-Rukh-Kajol-and-Shilpa-Shetty/articleshow/38407403.cms}}</ref>


Several A-list Bollywood stars were approached for the lead role, but they turned it down, due to the character being a murderous, negative anti-hero. [[Salman Khan]] was the first choice, but he turned it down, with his father [[Salim Khan]] saying Salman was not ready for such a gamble. [[Anil Kapoor]] and [[Akshay Kumar]] was the next choice, but he also rejected the offer, as it went against his "heroic" on-screen image. Shah Rukh Khan eventually convinced producer Ratan Jain that only he could pull off the role; Jain liked his confidence, and cast him in the role. However, his casting was criticized by trade pundits who incorrectly predicted that "a boy with cute dimples" would never be accepted as an anti-hero.<ref name="timesofindia"/>
Several A-list Bollywood stars were approached for the lead role, but they turned it down, due to the character being a murderous, negative anti-hero. [[Anil Kapoor]] was the first choice to play the leading role. He however turned it down due to unavailability for the dates assigned. Then [[Salman Khan]] was  approached, but he was removed, with his father [[Salim Khan]] saying Salman was not ready for such a gamble. [[Akshay Kumar]] was the next choice, but he too rejected the offer, as it went against his "heroic" on-screen image. Shahrukh eventually convinced producer Ratan Jain and Ganesh Jain that only he could pull off the role; Jain liked his confidence, and cast him in the role. However, his casting was criticized by trade pundits who incorrectly predicted that "a boy with cute dimples" would never be accepted as an anti-hero.<ref name="timesofindia"/> Initially, [[Sridevi]] was supposed to play both female roles (as twin sisters) as did [[Sean Young]] in the original film, but the director realized that due of her popularity, the audience would not sympathize with the hero, if he kills the character played by Sridevi, hence they decided to cast different actresses.<ref name="sridevi">{{Cite web | title = Roles Rejected by Sridevi | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Baazigar-The-rise-and-fall-of-Shah-Rukh-Kajol-and-Shilpa-Shetty/articleshow/38407403.cms}}</ref>
[[Sridevi]] was supposed to play both female roles (twin sisters) as did [[Sean Young]] in original film, but the director realized that because of her popularity, the audience will not be able to sympathize with the hero if he kills the character played by Sridevi, hence they decided to cast different actresses.<ref name="sridevi">{{Cite web | title = Roles Rejected by Sridevi | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Baazigar-The-rise-and-fall-of-Shah-Rukh-Kajol-and-Shilpa-Shetty/articleshow/38407403.cms}}</ref>


==Music==
==Music==
The music was composed by [[Anu Malik]] and won him the [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director]].<ref name="IT">{{Cite web | title = I dont want other music directors to catch up with me: Anu Malik | work = India Today | date = 15 November 1994 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/i-am-an-inspired-director-anu-malik/1/294398.html | language = en-us}}</ref> The song "Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein" bagged singer [[Kumar Sanu]] his fourth consecutive [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer]] after ''[[Aashiqui]]'', ''[[Saajan]]'' and ''[[Deewana (1992 film)|Deewana]]''.<ref name="BS">{{Cite web | title = Melody will return to Bollywood songs: Kumar Sanu | author = Press Trust of India | work = Business Standard | date = 13 August 2012 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/melody-will-return-to-bollywood-songs-kumar-sanu-112081300350_1.html }}</ref> Other singers featured in the album are [[Asha Bhosle]], [[Pankaj Udhas]], [[Alka Yagnik]], [[Vinod Rathod]] and Sonali Vajpai. The soundtrack was released by [[Venus Records & Tapes|Venus Music]].<ref>{{Cite web | title = Anu Malik and Shah Rukh Khan: Sharing more than birthdays | last = Vijayakar | first = Rajiv | work = Bollywoodhungama.com | date = 4 November 2015 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/9224/ }}</ref> Dr. Alban's song "It's My life" was also featured.
The music was composed by [[Anu Malik]] and won him the [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director]].<ref name="IT">{{Cite web | title = I dont want other music directors to catch up with me: Anu Malik | work = India Today | date = 15 November 1994 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/i-am-an-inspired-director-anu-malik/1/294398.html | language = en-us}}</ref> The song "Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein" earned singer [[Kumar Sanu]] his fourth consecutive [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer]] after ''[[Aashiqui]]'', ''[[Saajan]]'' and ''[[Deewana (1992 film)|Deewana]]''.<ref name="BS">{{Cite web | title = Melody will return to Bollywood songs: Kumar Sanu | author = Press Trust of India | work = Business Standard | date = 13 August 2012 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/melody-will-return-to-bollywood-songs-kumar-sanu-112081300350_1.html }}</ref> Other singers featured in the album are [[Asha Bhosle]], [[Pankaj Udhas]], [[Alka Yagnik]], [[Vinod Rathod]] and Sonali Vajpai. Lyrics by Gauhar Kanpuri.{{cn|date=November 2021}} The soundtrack was released by [[Venus Records & Tapes|Venus Music]].<ref>{{Cite web | title = Anu Malik and Shah Rukh Khan: Sharing more than birthdays | last = Vijayakar | first = Rajiv | work = Bollywoodhungama.com | date = 4 November 2015 | access-date = 2016-07-23 | url = http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/9224/ }}</ref> Dr. Alban's song "It's My Life" was also featured.


A soundtrack was also released in Marathi. The film's [[soundtrack album]] sold 10{{nbsp}}million units,<ref name="indiatoday">{{cite news |title=Bollywood hinges on Hindi film music industry, fans soak up wacky new sounds |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19941115-bollywood-hinges-on-hindi-film-music-industry-fans-soak-up-wacky-new-sounds-809899-1994-10-31 |access-date=17 July 2013 |work=[[India Today]] |date=31 October 1994}}</ref> making it the best-selling [[Bollywood soundtrack]] album of 1993.<ref>{{cite web |title=Music Hits 1990-1999 (Figures in Units) |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205042906/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2010 |website=[[Box Office India]] |access-date=5 February 2010}}</ref> The soundtrack " Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein" was inspired by the African hit "Yeke Yeke" and others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/carbon-copy-baazigar-shah-rukh-khan-guaglione|title=How A 1956 Italian Song Became A Shah Rukh Khan Song In 1993}}</ref>
A soundtrack was also released in Marathi. The film's [[soundtrack album]] sold 10{{nbsp}}million units,<ref name="indiatoday">{{cite news |title=Bollywood hinges on Hindi film music industry, fans soak up wacky new sounds |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19941115-bollywood-hinges-on-hindi-film-music-industry-fans-soak-up-wacky-new-sounds-809899-1994-10-31 |access-date=17 July 2013 |work=[[India Today]] |date=31 October 1994}}</ref> making it the best-selling [[Bollywood soundtrack]] album of 1993.<ref>{{cite web |title=Music Hits 1990-1999 (Figures in Units) |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205042906/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2010 |website=[[Box Office India]] |access-date=5 February 2010}}</ref> The soundtrack       "Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein" samples the African hit "Yeke Yeke" and others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/carbon-copy-baazigar-shah-rukh-khan-guaglione|title=How A 1956 Italian Song Became A Shah Rukh Khan Song In 1993}}</ref>


{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name       = Baazigar
| name         = Baazigar
| type       = soundtrack
| type         = soundtrack
| artist     = [[Anu Malik]]
| artist       = [[Anu Malik]]
| cover     =
| cover       =  
| alt       =
| alt         =  
| released   = 1993
| released     = 1993
| recorded   =
| recorded     =  
| venue     =
| venue       =  
| studio     =
| studio       =  
| genre     = [[Film soundtrack]]
| genre       = [[Film soundtrack]]
| length     =
| length       =  
| label     = [[Venus Records & Tapes|Venus Music]]
| label       = [[Venus Records & Tapes|Venus Music]]
| producer   =
| producer     =  
| prev_title = [[Phool Aur Angaar]]
| prev_title   = [[Phool Aur Angaar]]
| prev_year = 1993
| prev_year   = 1993
| next_title = [[The Gentleman (1994 film)|The Gentleman]]
| next_title   = [[The Gentleman (1994 film)|The Gentleman]]
| next_year = 1994
| next_year   = 1994
}}
}}


Line 140: Line 110:
|
|
| title2    = Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein
| title2    = Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein
| lyricist2 = Dev Kohli
| lyricist2 = [[Dev Kohli]]
| extra2    = Kumar Sanu, [[Anu Malik]]
| extra2    = Kumar Sanu, [[Anu Malik]]
| length2  = 07:53
| length2  = 07:53
Line 150: Line 120:
|
|
| title4    = Chhupana Bhi Nahi Aata
| title4    = Chhupana Bhi Nahi Aata
| lyricist4 = Rani Malk
| lyricist4 = Rani Malik
| extra4    = Vinod Rathod
| extra4    = Vinod Rathod
| length4  = 07:01
| length4  = 07:01
Line 181: Line 151:


==Box office==
==Box office==
''Baazigar'' was a commercial success and the fourth highest-grossing Indian film of 1993, below another Shah Rukh Khan film, ''[[Darr]]''.<ref name=boi>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=199&catName= |title=Box Office 1993 |publisher=Boxofficeindia.com |access-date=2 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814154929/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=199&catName=|archive-date=14 August 2013}}</ref> ''Baazigar''{{'}}s collections in India were {{INR|7.75 [[crore]]}} nett and {{INR|14 crore}} gross,<ref name=boi/> equivalent to {{INRConvert|{{#expr:14*(1914360020/107375000) round 0}}|c}} adjusted for inflation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Darr - Movie (1993 inflation rate) |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=3320 |website=[[Box Office India]] |access-date=2 December 2018}}</ref>
''Baazigar'' was a commercial success and the fourth highest-grossing Indian film of 1993, behind another Shah Rukh Khan film, ''[[Darr]]''.<ref name=boi>{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=199&catName= |title=Box Office 1993 |publisher=Boxofficeindia.com |access-date=2 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814154929/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=199&catName=|archive-date=14 August 2013}}</ref> ''Baazigar''{{'}}s collections in India were {{INR|15 [[crore]]}} net and {{INR|32 crore}} gross,<ref name=boi/> equivalent to {{INRConvert|{{#expr:32*(1914360020/107375000) round 0}}|c}} adjusted for inflation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Darr - Movie (1993 inflation rate) |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=3320 |website=[[Box Office India]] |access-date=2 December 2018}}</ref>


==Accolades==
==Accolades==
Line 195: Line 165:
|rowspan="4" {{won}}
|rowspan="4" {{won}}
|-
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Direction]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]]
|[[Anu Malik]]
|[[Anu Malik]]
|-
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]]
|[[Kumar Sanu]] for "Yeh Kali Kali Aankhein"
|[[Kumar Sanu]] for "Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein"
|-
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]]
|[[Robin Bhatt]], [[Javed Siddiqui]], [[Akash Khurana]]
|[[Robin Bhatt]], [[Javed Siddiqui]], [[Akash Khurana]]
|-
|-
|[[Filmfare Lux New Face Award|Lux New Face]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]
|[[Shilpa Shetty]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Shilpa Shetty]]
|rowspan="6" {{nom}}
|rowspan="6" {{nom}}
|-
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut|Best Female Debut]]
|[[Shilpa Shetty]]
|-
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role|Best Performance in a Comic Role]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role|Best Comedian]]
|[[Johnny Lever]]
|[[Johnny Lever]]
|-
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist|Best Lyricist]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist|Best Lyricist]]
|Dev Kholi for "Yeh Kali Kali Aankhein"
|Dev Kholi for "Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein"
|-
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]]
Line 225: Line 194:


==Influence==
==Influence==
The later [[Hollywood films]] ''[[Almost Famous]]'' (2000) and ''[[Baywatch (film)|Baywatch]]'' (2017) had strikingly similar posters to ''Baazigar''. The posters of the two films feature [[Kate Hudson]] and [[Priyanka Chopra]], respectively, wearing sunglasses that reflect other cast members, similar to the sunglasses Shah Rukh Khan wears on the poster for ''Baazigar''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Did Baywatch copy the poster featuring Priyanka Chopra from Shah Rukh Khan's Baazigar and Kate Hudson's Almost Famous?|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/baywatch-copy-poster-featuring-priyanka-chopra-shah-rukh-khans-baazigar-kate-hudsons-almost-famous/|work=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=20 April 2017}}</ref>
The later American films ''[[Almost Famous]]'' (2000) and ''[[Baywatch (film)|Baywatch]]'' (2017) had strikingly similar posters to ''Baazigar''. The posters of the two films feature [[Kate Hudson]] and [[Priyanka Chopra]], respectively, wearing sunglasses that reflect other cast members, similar to the sunglasses Shah Rukh Khan wears on the poster for ''Baazigar''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Did Baywatch copy the poster featuring Priyanka Chopra from Shah Rukh Khan's Baazigar and Kate Hudson's Almost Famous?|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/baywatch-copy-poster-featuring-priyanka-chopra-shah-rukh-khans-baazigar-kate-hudsons-almost-famous/|work=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=20 April 2017}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 10:27, 1 July 2022


Baazigar
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAbbas-Mustan
Produced byGanesh Jain
Champak Jain
Written byRobin Bhatt
Akash Khurana
Javed Siddiqui
StarringShah Rukh Khan
Kajol
Shilpa Shetty
Rakhee Gulzar
Dalip Tahil
Siddharth Ray
Johnny Lever
Music bySongs:
Anu Malik
CinematographyThomas A. Xavier
Edited byHussain M. Burmawala
Production
company
Distributed byEros International
Release date
  • 12 November 1993 (1993-11-12) (India)
Running time
182 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget4 crore
Box office320 crore

Baazigar (transl. Gambler) is a 1993 Indian romantic thriller film directed by Abbas–Mustan and produced by Venus Movies. It stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in lead roles while Raakhee, Shilpa Shetty, Dalip Tahil, Siddharth Ray, and Johnny Lever appear in supporting roles, with the soundtrack composed by Anu Malik. The film is about a young man seeking to avenge the fall of his family. The story is loosely based on Ira Levin's 1953 novel A Kiss Before Dying and its 1991 film adaptation of the same name.[1] This was Khan's breakthrough role as the sole lead (his first as an anti-hero), along with being his eighth film out of eighty throughout his 30-year career, Kajol's first commercial success and Shetty's film debut.[2][3]

Baazigar was released on 12 November 1993, coinciding with Diwali.[4] Made on a budget of 40 million, the film was declared a success at the box office with a worldwide gross of 320 million.[5] Apart from emerging as a major financial success, the film has become a cult film over years due to its suspense, screenplay, story, music and performances of the cast.[6] It was the first collaboration between Khan and Kajol, who went on to become one of India's most beloved on-screen couples. It helped establish Khan, Kajol, Shetty and Malik in Hindi films and the soundtrack has sold over 10 million units.[7]

At the 39th Filmfare Awards, the film earned 10 nominations and won 4 awards including Best Actor for Khan and Best Music Director for Malik.[8] A Telugu remake, Vetagadu, was released in 1995,[9] before a Tamil remake, Samrat, was released in 1997 and a Kannada remake, Nagarahavu, was released in 2002.[10]

Plot

Ajay Sharma is a young boy who grows up to seek revenge for his father's death caused by Madan Chopra, a rich businessman. Chopra has two daughters; the elder is Seema, and the younger is Priya. Ajay begins a secret relationship with Seema. Chopra takes part in his last car race in Madras, only to learn that another participant, Vicky Malhotra, who Ajay assumes the role as, let him win on purpose to meet him. Chopra is impressed with 'Vicky', and Priya falls in love with him. This way, Ajay manages to date both Seema and Priya using different identities.

Later, Ajay convinces Seema to commit suicide with him, when her father arranges her marriage with someone else. They write and sign suicide notes, but he then lies that he was simply testing her and rips up his note while keeping hers. They make plans to get married at the registrar's office the next day. However, while waiting for the office to open, Ajay takes Seema to the roof of the building and pushes her off, murdering her. He then discreetly mails her suicide note to her home. Chopra hastily orders the case closed to prevent further embarrassment should the suicide note be discovered. Suspecting that her sister didn't commit suicide, Priya secretly continues the investigation with the help of police inspector Karan Saxena, an old friend from college.

Ravi, a college friend of Seema who had a crush on her, tells Priya that he has a photo of Seema and Ajay together at a birthday party back at his hostel. Before Priya can reach Ravi to see the photo, Ajay finds out about this and murders Ravi. In their struggle, Ajay forces him to sign a suicide note, which makes it appear as though Ravi is Seema's murderer. Thus, the investigation is halted a second time. Meanwhile, Ajay, posing as 'Vicky', slowly wins Chopra's confidence. Chopra decides to get 'Vicky' and Priya engaged.

It is revealed through a flashback that Chopra had been a project manager in the company run by Ajay's late father Mr. Sharma, but when Sharma discovered that he was embezzling money, he had Chopra imprisoned for three years. After Madan completed his jail term, he asked for forgiveness, and Sharma's wife persuaded her husband to re-employ him. However, unbeknownst to anyone, Chopra had returned to exact revenge. One day, Sharma had to go on a business trip, so he handed the power of attorney to Chopra, who used the opportunity to become the company's owner. Sharma learned of this after returning, but it was too late. His family was ejected from their palatial home after Chopra took a loan on Sharma's name. Ajay witnessed Chopra eve-teasing his mother when she came to ask for their home back, and she subsequently cursed him to tragedy and helplessness later on in life. Heartbroken, Ajay vowed to make Chopra pay, and his only mission in life now is the downfall of Chopra.

Back in the present, Seema's friend Anjali meets Priya and Ajay at a jewellery shop. She also discovers a photo of Seema and Ajay at her birthday party. 'Vicky' and Priya get engaged that evening. Anjali phones the Chopra residence during Ajay's engagement party to warn them that Ajay and 'Vicky' look the same, to which Babulal, head servant of the Chopra household, answers. As Babulal tries to inform Priya about this, Ajay intercepts the phone call, arrives at Anjali's place, and kills her, stuffing her body in a suitcase and throwing it in a river.

History repeats itself with Chopra handing over the power of attorney to 'Vicky' when he has to go on a business trip. However, a man and his dog find Anjali's body soon after on a beach, and when Priya and Inspector Karan hear about this, they realize that the murderer is still alive. Ajay decides to hasten his plans on realizing that Priya and Karan are hellbent on finding the killer, and that he has fallen in love with Priya. His plans hit a glitch when he and Priya run into the real Vicky Malhotra, Ajay's friend, whose identity he had taken, which makes Priya suspicious. After Chopra returns from his business trip, he is shocked to find that the company is run by the Sharma group. Ajay reveals the truth of his desire to seek revenge and kicks Chopra out.

Priya learns of Ajay's true identity from his friend, Vicky and rushes to Ajay's home in Panvel. She is shocked to see a marriage locket with photos of him with her sister. Ajay comes home, where she confronts him with his misdeeds. He then tells her his story and also tells her that due to the poverty her father forced his family into, his father died of a heart attack, and his younger sister died of illness. His mother went into a state of shock as a result of the loss of her husband and daughter, and in her mental instability, she is unable to recognize Ajay as her son. Priya realizes that it is her father who is at fault as Ajay introduces her to his mother. Chopra arrives at his home, shoots Ajay in the arm, and has his goons beat him up.

Soon his mother comes back to her senses, and when trying to intervene, Chopra injures her, angering Ajay. He fights the goons viciously and is about to kill Chopra when he is persuaded by police inspector Karan to have mercy for his mother's sake. Chopra takes the opportunity to stab him with a rod and laughs maniacally. Ajay laughs back and impales Chopra with the same rod, killing him. He tells his mother that he has regained everything and collapses in her arms. Priya, Inspector Karan, and his mother watch despondently as Ajay succumbs to his injuries, finally at peace.

Cast

Production

The film's premise is a subversion of a concept loosely inspired by a Hollywood film, A Kiss Before Dying (1991), which itself was based on a novel of the same name. While it borrows the basic premise, Baazigar tells a different, subversive story. While Matt Dillon's character in A Kiss Before Dying is a villain who murders for money, Baazigar subverts this, with Shahrukh Khan's character instead being a sympathetic anti-hero seeking vengeance for the brutal injustices done to his family.[11]

Several A-list Bollywood stars were approached for the lead role, but they turned it down, due to the character being a murderous, negative anti-hero. Anil Kapoor was the first choice to play the leading role. He however turned it down due to unavailability for the dates assigned. Then Salman Khan was approached, but he was removed, with his father Salim Khan saying Salman was not ready for such a gamble. Akshay Kumar was the next choice, but he too rejected the offer, as it went against his "heroic" on-screen image. Shahrukh eventually convinced producer Ratan Jain and Ganesh Jain that only he could pull off the role; Jain liked his confidence, and cast him in the role. However, his casting was criticized by trade pundits who incorrectly predicted that "a boy with cute dimples" would never be accepted as an anti-hero.[11] Initially, Sridevi was supposed to play both female roles (as twin sisters) as did Sean Young in the original film, but the director realized that due of her popularity, the audience would not sympathize with the hero, if he kills the character played by Sridevi, hence they decided to cast different actresses.[12]

Music

The music was composed by Anu Malik and won him the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director.[13] The song "Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein" earned singer Kumar Sanu his fourth consecutive Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer after Aashiqui, Saajan and Deewana.[14] Other singers featured in the album are Asha Bhosle, Pankaj Udhas, Alka Yagnik, Vinod Rathod and Sonali Vajpai. Lyrics by Gauhar Kanpuri.[citation needed] The soundtrack was released by Venus Music.[15] Dr. Alban's song "It's My Life" was also featured.

A soundtrack was also released in Marathi. The film's soundtrack album sold 10 million units,[7] making it the best-selling Bollywood soundtrack album of 1993.[16] The soundtrack "Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein" samples the African hit "Yeke Yeke" and others.[17]

Baazigar
Soundtrack album by
Released1993
GenreFilm soundtrack
LabelVenus Music
Anu Malik chronology
Phool Aur Angaar
(1993)
Baazigar
(1993)
The Gentleman
(1994)

Track listing

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Baazigar O Baazigar"Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik07:31
2."Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein"Kumar Sanu, Anu Malik07:53
3."Kitabein Bahut Si"Asha Bhosle, Vinod Rathod06:28
4."Chhupana Bhi Nahi Aata"Vinod Rathod07:01
5."Chhupana Bhi Nahi Aata" (Not in Film)Pankaj Udhas05:31
6."Samajh Kar Chand Jis Ko" (Not in Film)Vinod Rathod, Alka Yagnik08:53
7."Aye Mere Humsafar"Vinod Rathod, Alka Yagnik07:29
8."Tere Chehre Pe" (Not in Film)Kumar Sanu, Sonali Vajpai07:09
Total length:57:51

Box office

Baazigar was a commercial success and the fourth highest-grossing Indian film of 1993, behind another Shah Rukh Khan film, Darr.[18] Baazigar's collections in India were ₹15 crore net and ₹32 crore gross,[18] equivalent to 571 crore (US$80 million) adjusted for inflation.[19]

Accolades

Award Category Recipients and Nominees Results
39th Filmfare Awards Best Actor Shah Rukh Khan Won
Best Music Director Anu Malik
Best Male Playback Singer Kumar Sanu for "Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein"
Best Screenplay Robin Bhatt, Javed Siddiqui, Akash Khurana
Best Supporting Actress Shilpa Shetty Nominated
Best Female Debut
Best Comedian Johnny Lever
Best Lyricist Dev Kholi for "Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein"
Best Male Playback Singer Kumar Sanu for "Baazigar, O Baazigar"
Best Female Playback Singer Alka Yagnik for "Baazigar, O Baazigar"

Influence

The later American films Almost Famous (2000) and Baywatch (2017) had strikingly similar posters to Baazigar. The posters of the two films feature Kate Hudson and Priyanka Chopra, respectively, wearing sunglasses that reflect other cast members, similar to the sunglasses Shah Rukh Khan wears on the poster for Baazigar.[20]

References

  1. M.K. Raghavendra (15 December 2014). Seduced by the Familiar: Narration and Meaning in Indian Popular Cinema. OUP India. p. 258. ISBN 978-0-19-908798-3.
  2. "From 'Baazigar' to 'Dilwale' - A look at SRK and Kajol's on-screen magic". The Express Tribune. 13 June 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  3. Taliculam, Sharmila (4 April 1997). "Rediff On The Net, Movies: An interview with Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty". Rediff.com. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  4. "Baazigar to Krrish 3: Diwali hits, misses and clashes from Bollywood". Firstpost. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  5. "Fan trailer tonight: 5 times Shah Rukh Khan wowed us with his 'dark side'". Daily News & Analysis. 29 February 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  6. Katiyar, Arun (30 April 1994). "What the stars don't foretell". India Today. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Bollywood hinges on Hindi film music industry, fans soak up wacky new sounds". India Today. 31 October 1994. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
  8. "Shah Rukh Khan Filmfare Awards 1992 - 2009". YouTube. 30 May 2009. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  9. "Telugu Cinema Etc - Idlebrain.com". www.idlebrain.com.
  10. Upadhyaya, Prakash (14 October 2016). "Nagarahavu aka Shivanagam movie review: Live audience response". www.ibtimes.co.in.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Iyer, Meena (14 July 2014). "Baazigar: The rise and fall of Shah Rukh, Kajol and Shilpa Shetty". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  12. "Roles Rejected by Sridevi".
  13. "I dont want other music directors to catch up with me: Anu Malik". India Today. 15 November 1994. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  14. Press Trust of India (13 August 2012). "Melody will return to Bollywood songs: Kumar Sanu". Business Standard. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  15. Vijayakar, Rajiv (4 November 2015). "Anu Malik and Shah Rukh Khan: Sharing more than birthdays". Bollywoodhungama.com. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  16. "Music Hits 1990-1999 (Figures in Units)". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 5 February 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  17. "How A 1956 Italian Song Became A Shah Rukh Khan Song In 1993".
  18. 18.0 18.1 "Box Office 1993". Boxofficeindia.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
  19. "Darr - Movie (1993 inflation rate)". Box Office India. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  20. "Did Baywatch copy the poster featuring Priyanka Chopra from Shah Rukh Khan's Baazigar and Kate Hudson's Almost Famous?". Bollywood Hungama. 20 April 2017.

External links