Criminal (1994 film): Difference between revisions

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| director      = [[Mahesh Bhatt]]
| director      = [[Mahesh Bhatt]]
| screenplay    = Mahesh Bhatt
| screenplay    = Mahesh Bhatt
| story          = David Twohy
| starring      = [[Nagarjuna (actor)|Nagarjuna]]<br />[[Manisha Koirala]]<br />[[Ramya Krishna]]
{{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes
    | label1= Dialogue by
    | data1 = [[Sainath Thotapalli]] {{small|(Telugu)}}<br />Jay Dixit {{small|(Hindi)}}
}}
| starring      = [[Akkineni Nagarjuna]]<br />[[Ramya Krishna]]<br />[[Manisha Koirala]]
| music          = [[M. M. Keeravani]]<br />{{small|(credited as M. M. Kreem in Hindi)}}
| music          = [[M. M. Keeravani]]<br />{{small|(credited as M. M. Kreem in Hindi)}}
| cinematography = [[S. Gopal Reddy]]
| cinematography = [[S. Gopal Reddy]]
Line 20: Line 15:
| studio        = [[Creative Commercials]] {{small|(Telugu)}} <br /> [[Vishesh Films]] {{small|(Hindi)}}
| studio        = [[Creative Commercials]] {{small|(Telugu)}} <br /> [[Vishesh Films]] {{small|(Hindi)}}
| distributor    = [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]] Films
| distributor    = [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]] Films
| based_on      = ''[[The Fugitive (1963 TV series)|The Fugitive]]''<br />by [[Roy Huggins]]
| released      = {{Film date|df=y|1994|10|14|Telugu|1995|08|04|Hindi}}
| released      = {{Film date|df=y|1994|10|14}} {{small|(Telugu)}}<br />{{Film date|df=y|1995|07|21}} {{small|(Hindi)}}
| runtime        = 142 mins
| runtime        = 142 mins
| country        = India
| country        = India
| language      = Telugu<br />Hindi
| language      = Telugu<br />Hindi
| budget        =  
| budget        =
}}
}}
'''''Criminal''''' is a 1994 Indian [[action thriller]] film directed by [[Mahesh Bhatt]], starring [[Nagarjuna (actor)|Nagarjuna]], [[Manisha Koirala]], [[Ramya Krishna]]. Shot simultaneously in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Hindi]] languages.


'''''Criminal''''' is a 1994 Indian [[action thriller]] film directed by [[Mahesh Bhatt]], starring [[Akkineni Nagarjuna]], [[Ramya Krishna]] and [[Manisha Koirala]]. Shot simultaneously in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Hindi]] languages, the film is produced by [[K. S. Rama Rao]] under the [[Creative Commercials]] banner in Telugu, and by [[Mukesh Bhatt]] under the [[Vishesh Films]] banner in Hindi with the music composed by [[M. M. Keeravani]] (credited as [[M. M. Keeravani|MM Kreem]] in Hindi). The film is inspired by the American film, ''[[The Fugitive (1993 film)|The Fugitive]]'' (1993).<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 May 2009|title=No ripoffs, please|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/7-days/no-ripoffs-please/cid/623609|access-date=2020-10-28|website=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]}}</ref> Telugu version is released in 1994, while the Hindi version is released in 1995. This is the last film of the Hindi film actor [[Ajit Khan]].
Produced by [[K. S. Rama Rao]] under the [[Creative Commercials]] banner in Telugu, and by [[Mukesh Bhatt]] under the [[Vishesh Films]] banner in Hindi with the music composed by [[M. M. Keeravani]] (credited as [[M. M. Keeravani|MM Kreem]] in Hindi). ''Criminal'' was an Indian adaptation to the 1993 American film ''[[The Fugitive (1993 film)|The Fugitive]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 May 2009|title=No ripoffs, please|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/7-days/no-ripoffs-please/cid/623609|access-date=2020-10-28|website=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]|archive-date=3 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603152711/https://www.telegraphindia.com/7-days/no-ripoffs-please/cid/623609|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/300117/copycats-in-tollywood.html|title = Copycats in Tollywood|newspaper = Deccan Chronicle|date = 30 January 2017|access-date = 2 February 2022|archive-date = 3 October 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211003064859/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/tollywood/300117/copycats-in-tollywood.html|url-status = live}}</ref>
 
The Telugu version released on 14 October 1994, while the Hindi version released on 4 August 1995. ''Criminal'' was the last film of the renowned Hindi film actor [[Ajit Khan|Ajit]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=12 January 2006 |title=TC Exclusive: K.S. Rama Rao - Interview |url=http://www.telugucinema.com/tc/stars/interview_ksramarao_2006.php |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=[[TeluguCinema.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061119100756/http://www.telugucinema.com/tc/stars/interview_ksramarao_2006.php |archive-date=19 November 2006 |quote=KSR: I liked the subject, and so we did that film. I still like that film though it was a flop.}}</ref>
Malayalam movie Nirnnayam starring Mohanlal is another adaptation of The Fugitive.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
After witnessing the unfortunate death of a woman, who was unable to afford hospital treatment, Dr. Ajay Kumar cancels his planned immigration to the U.S. and instead sets out to develop a plan to open a hospital that will be accessible to people who cannot afford treatment in regular hospitals, called "Amma Hospital". This draws quite a lot of attention, and he becomes popular, especially with two young women, Dr. Swetha and ACP Ramya. He falls in love with Swetha, and both get married, breaking Ramya's heart in the process. Shortly thereafter, much to their delight, Swetha becomes pregnant.
After witnessing the unfortunate death of a woman, who was unable to afford hospital treatment, Dr. Ajay Kumar cancels his planned immigration to the U.S. and instead sets out to develop a plan to open a hospital that will be accessible to people who cannot afford treatment in regular hospitals, called "Amma Hospital". This draws quite a lot of attention, and he becomes popular, especially with two young women, Dr. Swetha and [[Assistant commissioner of police|ACP]] Ramya. He falls in love with Swetha, and both get married, breaking Ramya's heart in the process. Shortly thereafter, much to their delight, Swetha becomes pregnant.


When Swetha discovers a frightening organ-smuggling operation in her hospital while going through a friend's diagnostic report, she calls Ramya. Soon after, Swetha is attacked by a killer and rings the police. Ajay enters their home to find Swetha, who soon succumbs to her injuries. The police arrive to find her dead body and arrest Ajay for murder. They deduce that Ajay's motive for killing Swetha was money, as Swetha was a wealthy heiress. Furthermore, she shouted Ajay's name as she was on the phone with the police.  The court finds Ajay guilty, and he is sentenced to death. While being transported to the jail for the sentence to be carried out, the police bus meets with an accident as the other prisoners have staged a riot. Ajay escapes and changes his appearance. The police launch a manhunt for him but are unable to catch him. Ajay goes to Ramya's house to prove his innocence. Meanwhile, he used to know Ramya had a crush on him. Ajay catches the real killer and discovers the man behind everything - including the smuggling - was Ajay's friend Dr. Pratap. Finally, he reopens the hospital and puts garland on Swetha's picture. He and Ramya remain as friends.
When Swetha discovers a frightening organ-smuggling operation in her hospital while going through a friend's diagnostic report, she calls Ramya. Soon after, Swetha is attacked by a killer and rings the police. Ajay enters their home to find Swetha, who soon succumbs to her injuries. The police arrive to find her dead body and arrest Ajay for murder. They deduce that Ajay's motive for killing Swetha was money, as Swetha was a wealthy heiress. Furthermore, she shouted Ajay's name as she was on the phone with the police.  The court finds Ajay guilty, and he is sentenced to death. While being transported to the jail for the sentence to be carried out, the police bus meets with an accident as the other prisoners have staged a riot. Ajay escapes and changes his appearance and the police launch a manhunt for him but are unable to catch him. Ajay goes to Ramya's house to prove his innocence. Meanwhile, he used to know Ramya had a crush on him. He catches the real killer and discovers the man behind everything - including the smuggling, was Ajay's friend Dr. Pratap. Finally, he reopens the hospital and puts garland on Swetha's picture.


== Cast ==
==Cast==
{|class="wikitable"
|+
!Cast (Telugu)
!Cast (Hindi)
!Role (Telugu)
!Role (Hindi)
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Nagarjuna (actor)|Nagarjuna]]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Dr. Ajay Kumar
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|[[Manisha Koirala]]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Dr. Swetha
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Ramya Krishna]]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|[[Assistant commissioner of police|ACP]] Ramya
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Gulshan Grover]]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Rakesh Kumar / Robert
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Kota Srinivasa Rao]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Ajit Khan|Ajit]]
| style="text-align:center;"| Srinivasa Rao
| style="text-align:center;"| Jagdish Prasad
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Kaikala Satyanarayana|Satyanarayana]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[S M Zaheer]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Chandrashekhar
| style="text-align:center;"|Verma
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|[[Superintendent of police (India)|SP]] Teja
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|[[Sarath Babu]]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Dr. Pratap
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Sudha (Telugu actress)|Sudha]]
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Beena Banerjee]]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Yashoda
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Brahmanandam]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Johnny Lever]]
| style="text-align:center;"| Chitti Babu
| style="text-align:center;"| Changu
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Gundu Hanumantha Rao]]
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Laxmikant Berde]]
| style="text-align:center;"| Tinku
| style="text-align:center;"| Mangu
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Shrivallabh Vyas]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
| style="text-align:center;"|  Advocate
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Dharmavarapu Subramanyam]]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|  Inspector
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Devadas Kanakala]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
| style="text-align:center;"|Commissioner
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|  Kota Shankar Rao
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
| style="text-align:center;"|Lawyer
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Visweswara Rao]]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|  Servant
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Husain
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Prisoner
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| [[Jenny (actor)|Jenny]]
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| Inspector Nanda Gopal
|-
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Johnny Lever]]
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
| style="text-align:center;"|Himself
| style="text-align:center;" {{n/a}}
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|  Trishna
| colspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|  [[item number]]
|}
 
== Soundtrack ==
All the music was composed by [[M. M. Keeravani]]. The song "Paapki Paapki/Keemti Keemti" is inspired by "Lonely Monday Morning" from ''[[12 Inches of Snow]]'' (1993) by the Canadian musician [[Snow (musician)|Snow]]. The track "Thelusa Manasa" (only the humming portion) was inspired from the English album ''[[The Cross of Changes]]'' (1993) and the song "[[Age of Loneliness]]" (1994) both composed by the German band [[Enigma (German band)|Enigma]]. [[K. S. Chithra]] took four days to practice and replicate the same humming in her style. The song was set in the [[abheri]]/[[bhimpalasi]] [[raga]]s, and became a popular cult song.


=== Telugu version ===
=== Telugu version ===
{{colbegin}}
{{Infobox album
* [[Akkineni Nagarjuna]] as Dr. Ajay Kumar
| name        = Criminal
* [[Ramya Krishna]] as A.C.P. Ramya
| type        = film
* [[Manisha Koirala]] as Dr. Swetha Kumar
| artist      = [[M. M. Keeravani]]
* [[Kaikala Satyanarayana|Satyanarayana]] as Advocate Chandra Shekar
| cover        =
* [[Kota Srinivasa Rao]] as Srinivasa Rao
| alt          =
* [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]] as S. P. Teja
| released    = 1994
* [[Sarath Babu]] as Dr. Pratap
| recorded    =
* [[Sudha (Telugu actress)|Sudha]] as Yashoda
| venue        =
* [[Gulshan Grover]] as Robert Rakesh Kumar
| studio      =
* [[Brahmanandam]] as Compounder Chitti Babu
| genre        = Soundtrack
* [[Dharmavarapu Subramanyam]] as Inspector
| length      = 25:50
* [[Johnny Lever]] as himself
| label        = ANAND AUDIO
* [[Gundu Hanumantha Rao]] as Compounder Tinku
| producer    = [[M. M. Keeravani]]
* [[Devadas Kanakala]] as Commissioner
| prev_title  = [[Major Chandrakanth (1993 film)|Major Chandrakanth]]
* Kota Shankar Rao as Lawyer
| prev_year    = 1993
* Garimalla Visweswara Rao as Servant
| next_title  = [[Bhairava (film)|Bhairava]]
* Husain as Prisoner
| next_year    = 1994
* [[Jenny (actor)|Jenny]] as Inspector Nanda Gopal
}}
* Trishna as [[item number]]
{{Div col end}}


=== Hindi version ===
{{Track listing
The lead cast and the characters portrayed by Grover, Nassar, Babu, Subramanyam, Kanakala, Visweswara Rao, Husain, and Jenny were retained from the Telugu version in the Hindi version. Trishna performed an item number in both versions.
| headline      = Track list<ref name = "Criminal Telugu Songs">{{cite web | url = https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/criminal/8-FsKVQ9MKs_ | website = [[JioSaavn]] | title = Criminal | date = 8 April 1996 | accessdate = 29 January 2021 | archive-date = 3 December 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201203085004/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/criminal/8-FsKVQ9MKs_ | url-status = live }}</ref>
{{colbegin}}
| extra_column  = Singer(s)
* [[Akkineni Nagarjuna]] as Dr. Ajay Kumar Varma
| total_length  = 32:11
* [[Manisha Koirala]] as Dr. Shweta Varma
| all_music    = M. M. Keeravani.<ref name = "Criminal Telugu Songs" />
* [[Johnny Lever]] as Changu
| title1        = Mudante Vadante
* [[Laxmikant Berde]] as Mangu
| lyrics1      = [[Vennelakanti]]
* [[Ajit Khan]] as Jagdish Prasad
| extra1        = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], K. S. Chithra
* [[Shrivallabh Vyas|Palav Vyas]] as Advocate
| length1      = 4:57
* Gurbachan
| title2        = Paapki Paapki
* Mukesh Pandey
| lyrics2      = [[Sirivennela Sitaramasastri]]
* [[S M Zaheer|Zaheer]]  as Advocate Varma (Ajay's father)
| extra2        = K. S. Chithra, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, M. M. Keeravani
* [[Beena Banerjee|Beena]] as Ajay's mother
| length2      = 4:58
{{Div col end}}
| title3        = Hello Guru
| lyrics3      = Vennelakanti
| extra3        = K. S. Chithra, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| length3      = 4:48
| title4        = Thelusa Manasa
| lyrics4      = Sirivennela Sitaramasastri
| extra4        = K. S. Chithra, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| length4      = 6:13
| title5        = Jama Jama Jama
| lyrics5      = Sirivennela Sitaramasastri
| extra5        = K. S. Chithra, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[Sujatha Mohan|Sujatha]]
| length5      = 5:04
| title6        = Thelusa Manasa - 1
| lyrics6      = Sirivennela Sitaramasastri
| extra6        = M. M. Keeravani, K. S. Chithra (Humming)
| length6      = 6:11
}}


== Soundtrack ==
===Hindi version===
All the music is composed by [[M. M. Keeravani]]. The track Telusaa Manasa/Tum Mile is inspired from a Engima album (German Band)- "Age Of Lonliness".  [[K. S. Chithra]] recreated the same humming for all the versions, for which she practised 4 days to sing it perfectly & making the song an evergreen hit.
=== Telugu Version ===
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name       = Criminal
| name         = Criminal
| type       = film
| type         = film
| artist     = [[M. M. Keeravani]]
| artist       = [[M. M. Keeravani|M. M. Kreem]]
| cover     =
| cover       =
| alt       =
| alt         =
| released   = 1994
| released     = 1995
| recorded   =
| recorded     =
| venue     =
| venue       =
| studio     =
| studio       =
| genre     = Soundtrack
| genre       = Soundtrack
| length     = 25:50
| length       = 38:16
| label     = AKASH Audio
| label       = [[Saregama|His Master's Voice]]
| producer   = [[M. M. Keeravani]]
| producer     = [[M. M. Keeravani|M. M. Kreem]]
| prev_title = [[Major Chandrakanth (1993 film)|Major Chandrakanth]]
| prev_title   = [[Major Chandrakanth (1993 film)|Major Chandrakanth]]
| prev_year = 1993
| prev_year   = 1995
| next_title = [[Allari Premikudu]]
| next_title   = [[Bhairava (film)|Bhairava]]
| next_year = 1994
| next_year   = 1995
}}
}}
Hindi lyrics were written by [[Indeevar]]. Original audio was released on [[Saregama|His Master's Voice]]. At first the tracks of "Tu Mile Dil Khile- All versions" were recorded in the voice of K. S. Chithra but due to some unforeseen reasons all the tracks sung by Chithra were replaced by [[Alka Yagnik]], but still Keeravani managed to keep the humming portion sung by Chithra intact in all the tracks. Most popular & iconic song in album "Tu Mile Dil Khile" sang by [[Kumar Sanu]] & Alka Yagnik.


{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Track list<ref name = "Criminal Telugu Songs">{{cite web | url = https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/criminal/8-FsKVQ9MKs_ | website = [[JioSaavn]] | title = Criminal | accessdate = 29 January 2021}}</ref>
| extra_column  = Singer(s)
| total_length  = 38:16
| all_lyrics    =
| all_music    =
| title1        = Tu Mile Dil Khile (Duet)
| extra1        = Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik
| length1      = 6:03
| title2        = Tu Mile Dil Khile (Male)
| extra2        = Kumar Sanu
| length2      = 6:13
| title3        = Tu Mile Dil Khile (Female)
| extra3        = Alka Yagnik
| length3      = 5:57
| title4        = Jaanu Jaanu Jaanu
| extra4        = Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik
| length4      = 5:10
| title5        = Mujhko Chhupa Le
| extra5        = Kumar Sanu, [[Alisha Chinai]]
| length5      = 4:49
| title6        = Kisi Ka Tu Ho Ja
| extra6        = [[Abhijeet Bhattacharya|Abhijeet Bhattacharya]], K. S. Chithra
| length6      = 5:00
| title7        = Keemti Keemti Hai Zindagi
| extra7        = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
| length7      = 5:01
}}
 
===Tamil version===
The soundtrack was released in Tamil as ''Ellame En Kadhali''.<ref name=":0" /> The lyrics for songs were written by [[Piraisoodan]].
{{Track listing
| headline = Track list<ref name = "Criminal Tamil Songs">{{cite web | url = https://www.raaga.com/tamil/movie/ellame-en-kadhali-songs-T0004058 | website = Raaga | title = Ellame En Kadhali | accessdate = 5 December 2023 | archive-date = 5 December 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231205154122/https://www.raaga.com/tamil/movie/ellame-en-kadhali-songs-T0004058 | url-status = live }}</ref>
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 32:11
| total_length = 32:11
| all_music = [[M. M. Keeravani]]<ref name = "Criminal Telugu Songs" />
| all_music = [[M. M. Keeravani|Maragathamani]]
 
| title1 = Muthathin
| title1 = Mudante Vadante
| lyrics1 = Piraisoodan
| lyrics1 = [[Vennelakanti]]
| extra1 = K. S. Chithra, [[Mano (singer)|Mano]]
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[K. S. Chithra]]
| length1 = 4:57
| length1 = 4:57
 
| title2 = Party Party
| title2 = Papiki Papiki
| lyrics2 = Piraisoodan
| lyrics2 = [[Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry]]
| extra2 = K. S. Chithra, Mano
| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra, [[M. M. Keeravani]]
| length2 = 4:58
| length2 = 4:58
 
| title3 = Anbe Thodu
| title3 = Hello Guru
| lyrics3 = Piraisoodan
| lyrics3 = Vennelakanti
| extra3 = K. S. Chithra, Mano
| extra3 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
| length3 = 4:48
| length3 = 4:48
 
| title4 = Uyire Uyire
| title4 = Thelusa Manasa
| lyrics4 =Piraisoodan
| lyrics4 = Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry
| extra4 = K. S. Chithra, Mano
| extra4 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
| length4 = 6:13
| length4 = 6:13
 
| title5 = Jama Jama Jama
| title5 = Jama Jama Jama
| lyrics5 = Piraisoodan
| lyrics5 = Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry
| extra5 = K. S. Chithra, Mano
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[Sujatha Mohan|Sujatha]]
| length5 = 5:04
| length5 = 5:04
| title6  = Thelusa Manasa - 1
| lyrics6 = Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry
| extra6  = M. M. Keeravani, K. S. Chithra (Humming)
| length6 = 6:11
}}
}}


=== Hindi Version ===
== Release and reception ==
{{Infobox album
Alluru Rahim of ''[[Zamin Ryot]]'', reviewing the Telugu version of the film on 21 October 1994, described it as "the film which drives the audience out the theatres [''sic'']." While appreciating the Nagarjuna's performance and the soundtrack by Keeravani, Rahim opined that the film lacked good story and screenplay.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Alluru|first=Rahim|date=21 October 1994|title=చిత్ర సమీక్ష: క్రిమినల్|language=te|trans-title=Film review: Criminal|pages=9|work=[[Zamin Ryot]]|url=http://www.zaminryot.com/pdf/1994/Oct/21-oct-1994.pdf|access-date=28 October 2020|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101162051/http://www.zaminryot.com/pdf/1994/Oct/21-oct-1994.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| name      = Criminal
| type      = film
| artist    = [[M. M. Keeravani|M. M. Kreem]]
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released  = 1995
| recorded  =
| venue      =
| studio    =
| genre      = Soundtrack
| length    = 38:16
| label      = HMV Audio
| producer  = [[M. M. Keeravani|M. M. Kreem]]
| prev_title = Lady Boss
| prev_year  = 1995
| next_title = [[Mounam]]
| next_year  = 1995
}}


Hindi lyrics were written by [[Indeevar]]. Original audio was released on HMV audio.
After the film's success, it was later dubbed and released in Tamil as ''Ellame En Kadhali''. K. Vijiyan reviewing this version for ''[[New Straits Times]]'' on 3 July 1995, opined that Bhatt had made a faithful remake of ''The Fugitive''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Vijiyan |first=K. |date=3 July 1995 |title=Indian version of 'The Fugitive' |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rLdOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yR4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=3734%2C1025055 |access-date=22 August 2019 |work=[[New Straits Times]] |pages=26}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
{{Track listing
| extra_column    = Singer(s)
| total_length    = 38:16
| all_lyrics      =
| all_music      =
| title1          = Tu Mile Dil Khile (Included in the film)
| extra1          = [[Kumar Sanu]], [[K. S. Chithra|Chitra]]
| length1        = 6:03
 
| title2        = Tu Mile Dil Khile (Only Cassette version)
| extra2        = [[Kumar Sanu]], [[Alka Yagnik]]  [[K. S. Chithra|Chitra]] (Humming)
| length2        = 6:03
 
| title3        = Janu Janu Janu
| extra3        = Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik
| length3      = 5:10
 
| title4        = Tu Mile Dil Khile (Male)
| extra4        = Kumar Sanu, Chitra (Humming)
| length4        = 6:13
 
| title5          = Mujhko Chhupa Le
| extra5        = Kumar Sanu, [[Alisha Chinai]]
| length5        = 4:49
 
| title6        = Kisi Ka Tu Hoja
| extra6          = [[Abhijeet Bhattacharya]], Chitra
| length6        = 5:00
 
| title7          = Keemti Keemti Keemti Hai Zindagi
| extra7          = [[S. P. Balasubramanyam|SP Balu]], Chitra, Alka Yagnik
| length7        = 5:01
 
| title8          = Tu Mile Dil Khile (Female)
| extra8          = Alka Yagnik, Chitra (Humming), [[Sonu Nigam]]
| length8        = 5:57
}}
 
== Release and reception ==
Alluru Rahim of ''Zamin Riot'', reviewing the Telugu version of the film on 21 October 1994, described it as "the film which drives the audience out the theatres [''sic'']." While appreciating the Nagarjuna's performance and the soundtrack by Keeravani, Rahim opined that the film lacked good story and screenplay.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Alluru|first=Rahim|date=21 October 1994|title=చిత్ర సమీక్ష: క్రిమినల్|language=te|trans-title=Film review: Criminal|page=9|work=Zamin Ryot|url=http://www.zaminryot.com/pdf/1994/Oct/21-oct-1994.pdf}}</ref>


After the film's success, it was later dubbed and released in Tamil as ''Ellame En Kadhali''. K. Vijayan reviewing the Tamil dubbed version for ''[[New Straits Times]]'' on 3 July 1995, opined that Bhatt had made a faithful remake of ''The Fugitive'' (1993).<ref>{{Cite news|last=Vijiyin|first=K.|date=3 July 1995|title=Indian version of 'The Fugitive'|page=26|work=[[New Straits Times]]|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rLdOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yR4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=3734%2C1025055}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Nirnayam (1995 film)|''Nirnayam'' (1995 film)]], another Indian remake of ''The Fugitive''


== References ==
== References ==
Line 207: Line 269:


{{Mahesh Bhatt}}
{{Mahesh Bhatt}}
{{The Fugitive}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:1994 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:1994 Indian films]]
[[Category:1994 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:1990s chase films]]
[[Category:1990s crime action films]]
[[Category:1990s crime action films]]
[[Category:1990s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:1990s crime drama films]]
[[Category:1990s multilingual films]]
[[Category:1990s mystery films]]
[[Category:1990s Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:1990s mystery thriller films]]
[[Category:1995 action thriller films]]
[[Category:1994 action thriller films]]
[[Category:1995 crime thriller films]]
[[Category:1994 crime thriller films]]
[[Category:1995 films]]
[[Category:1994 films]]
[[Category:1994 multilingual films]]
[[Category:Fiction about prosthetics]]
[[Category:Fiction about wrongful convictions]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Maharashtra Police]]
[[Category:Films about amputees]]
[[Category:Films about amputees]]
[[Category:Films about miscarriage of justice]]
[[Category:Films about miscarriage of justice]]
[[Category:Films about murder]]
[[Category:Films about surgeons]]
[[Category:Films based on adaptations]]
[[Category:Films based on television series]]
[[Category:Films directed by Mahesh Bhatt]]
[[Category:Films directed by Mahesh Bhatt]]
[[Category:Films featuring an item number]]
[[Category:Films scored by M. M. Keeravani]]
[[Category:Films scored by M. M. Keeravani]]
[[Category:Films set in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1990s]]
[[Category:Films shot in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Hindi-language action thriller films]]
[[Category:Hindi-language crime thriller films]]
[[Category:Hindi-language films based on actual events]]
[[Category:Hindi-language mystery thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian action adventure films]]
[[Category:Indian action thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian action thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian chase films]]
[[Category:Indian courtroom films]]
[[Category:Indian crime action films]]
[[Category:Indian crime action films]]
[[Category:Indian crime thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian crime thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian films about revenge]]
[[Category:Indian films about revenge]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian legal drama films]]
[[Category:Indian multilingual films]]
[[Category:Indian multilingual films]]
[[Category:Indian mystery thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian police films]]
[[Category:Indian remakes of American films]]
[[Category:Medical-themed films]]
[[Category:T-Series (company) films]]
[[Category:T-Series (company) films]]
[[Category:Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:The Fugitive (TV series)]]
[[Category:Indian detective films]]
[[Category:Films set in hospitals]]
[[Category:Films about medical doctors]]
[[Category:Films about prison escapes]]

Latest revision as of 04:59, 4 March 2026


Criminal
Film poster (Telugu Version)
Directed byMahesh Bhatt
Produced byK. S. Rama Rao (Telugu)
Mukesh Bhatt (Hindi)
Screenplay byMahesh Bhatt
StarringNagarjuna
Manisha Koirala
Ramya Krishna
Music byM. M. Keeravani
(credited as M. M. Kreem in Hindi)
CinematographyS. Gopal Reddy
Edited byG. G. Krishna Rao (Telugu)
Sanjay Sankla (Hindi)
Production
company
Distributed byT-Series Films
Release date
  • 14 October 1994 (1994-10-14) (Telugu)
  • 4 August 1995 (1995-08-04) (Hindi)
Running time
142 mins
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Hindi

Criminal is a 1994 Indian action thriller film directed by Mahesh Bhatt, starring Nagarjuna, Manisha Koirala, Ramya Krishna. Shot simultaneously in Telugu and Hindi languages.

Produced by K. S. Rama Rao under the Creative Commercials banner in Telugu, and by Mukesh Bhatt under the Vishesh Films banner in Hindi with the music composed by M. M. Keeravani (credited as MM Kreem in Hindi). Criminal was an Indian adaptation to the 1993 American film The Fugitive.[1][2]

The Telugu version released on 14 October 1994, while the Hindi version released on 4 August 1995. Criminal was the last film of the renowned Hindi film actor Ajit.[3] Malayalam movie Nirnnayam starring Mohanlal is another adaptation of The Fugitive.

Plot[edit | edit source]

After witnessing the unfortunate death of a woman, who was unable to afford hospital treatment, Dr. Ajay Kumar cancels his planned immigration to the U.S. and instead sets out to develop a plan to open a hospital that will be accessible to people who cannot afford treatment in regular hospitals, called "Amma Hospital". This draws quite a lot of attention, and he becomes popular, especially with two young women, Dr. Swetha and ACP Ramya. He falls in love with Swetha, and both get married, breaking Ramya's heart in the process. Shortly thereafter, much to their delight, Swetha becomes pregnant.

When Swetha discovers a frightening organ-smuggling operation in her hospital while going through a friend's diagnostic report, she calls Ramya. Soon after, Swetha is attacked by a killer and rings the police. Ajay enters their home to find Swetha, who soon succumbs to her injuries. The police arrive to find her dead body and arrest Ajay for murder. They deduce that Ajay's motive for killing Swetha was money, as Swetha was a wealthy heiress. Furthermore, she shouted Ajay's name as she was on the phone with the police. The court finds Ajay guilty, and he is sentenced to death. While being transported to the jail for the sentence to be carried out, the police bus meets with an accident as the other prisoners have staged a riot. Ajay escapes and changes his appearance and the police launch a manhunt for him but are unable to catch him. Ajay goes to Ramya's house to prove his innocence. Meanwhile, he used to know Ramya had a crush on him. He catches the real killer and discovers the man behind everything - including the smuggling, was Ajay's friend Dr. Pratap. Finally, he reopens the hospital and puts garland on Swetha's picture.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Cast (Telugu) Cast (Hindi) Role (Telugu) Role (Hindi)
Nagarjuna Dr. Ajay Kumar
Manisha Koirala Dr. Swetha
Ramya Krishna ACP Ramya
Gulshan Grover Rakesh Kumar / Robert
Kota Srinivasa Rao Ajit Srinivasa Rao Jagdish Prasad
Satyanarayana S M Zaheer Chandrashekhar Verma
Nassar SP Teja
Sarath Babu Dr. Pratap
Sudha Beena Banerjee Yashoda
Brahmanandam Johnny Lever Chitti Babu Changu
Gundu Hanumantha Rao Laxmikant Berde Tinku Mangu
N/A Shrivallabh Vyas N/A Advocate
Dharmavarapu Subramanyam Inspector
Devadas Kanakala N/A Commissioner N/A
Kota Shankar Rao N/A Lawyer N/A
Visweswara Rao Servant
Husain Prisoner
Jenny Inspector Nanda Gopal
Johnny Lever N/A Himself N/A
Trishna item number

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

All the music was composed by M. M. Keeravani. The song "Paapki Paapki/Keemti Keemti" is inspired by "Lonely Monday Morning" from 12 Inches of Snow (1993) by the Canadian musician Snow. The track "Thelusa Manasa" (only the humming portion) was inspired from the English album The Cross of Changes (1993) and the song "Age of Loneliness" (1994) both composed by the German band Enigma. K. S. Chithra took four days to practice and replicate the same humming in her style. The song was set in the abheri/bhimpalasi ragas, and became a popular cult song.

Telugu version[edit | edit source]

Criminal
Film score by
M. M. Keeravani
Released1994
GenreSoundtrack
Length25:50
LabelANAND AUDIO
ProducerM. M. Keeravani
M. M. Keeravani chronology
Major Chandrakanth
(1993) 		Criminal
(1994) 		Bhairava
(1994)

All music is composed by M. M. Keeravani.[4].

Track list[4]
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Mudante Vadante"VennelakantiS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra4:57
2."Paapki Paapki"Sirivennela SitaramasastriK. S. Chithra, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, M. M. Keeravani4:58
3."Hello Guru"VennelakantiK. S. Chithra, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam4:48
4."Thelusa Manasa"Sirivennela SitaramasastriK. S. Chithra, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam6:13
5."Jama Jama Jama"Sirivennela SitaramasastriK. S. Chithra, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha5:04
6."Thelusa Manasa - 1"Sirivennela SitaramasastriM. M. Keeravani, K. S. Chithra (Humming)6:11
Total length:32:11

Hindi version[edit | edit source]

Criminal
Film score by
M. M. Kreem
Released1995
GenreSoundtrack
Length38:16
LabelHis Master's Voice
ProducerM. M. Kreem
M. M. Kreem chronology
Major Chandrakanth
(1995) 		Criminal
(1995) 		Bhairava
(1995)

Hindi lyrics were written by Indeevar. Original audio was released on His Master's Voice. At first the tracks of "Tu Mile Dil Khile- All versions" were recorded in the voice of K. S. Chithra but due to some unforeseen reasons all the tracks sung by Chithra were replaced by Alka Yagnik, but still Keeravani managed to keep the humming portion sung by Chithra intact in all the tracks. Most popular & iconic song in album "Tu Mile Dil Khile" sang by Kumar Sanu & Alka Yagnik.

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Tu Mile Dil Khile (Duet)"Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik6:03
2."Tu Mile Dil Khile (Male)"Kumar Sanu6:13
3."Tu Mile Dil Khile (Female)"Alka Yagnik5:57
4."Jaanu Jaanu Jaanu"Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik5:10
5."Mujhko Chhupa Le"Kumar Sanu, Alisha Chinai4:49
6."Kisi Ka Tu Ho Ja"Abhijeet Bhattacharya, K. S. Chithra5:00
7."Keemti Keemti Hai Zindagi"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra5:01
Total length:38:16

Tamil version[edit | edit source]

The soundtrack was released in Tamil as Ellame En Kadhali.[5] The lyrics for songs were written by Piraisoodan.

All music is composed by Maragathamani.

Track list[6]
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Muthathin"PiraisoodanK. S. Chithra, Mano4:57
2."Party Party"PiraisoodanK. S. Chithra, Mano4:58
3."Anbe Thodu"PiraisoodanK. S. Chithra, Mano4:48
4."Uyire Uyire"PiraisoodanK. S. Chithra, Mano6:13
5."Jama Jama Jama"PiraisoodanK. S. Chithra, Mano5:04
Total length:32:11

Release and reception[edit | edit source]

Alluru Rahim of Zamin Ryot, reviewing the Telugu version of the film on 21 October 1994, described it as "the film which drives the audience out the theatres [sic]." While appreciating the Nagarjuna's performance and the soundtrack by Keeravani, Rahim opined that the film lacked good story and screenplay.[7]

After the film's success, it was later dubbed and released in Tamil as Ellame En Kadhali. K. Vijiyan reviewing this version for New Straits Times on 3 July 1995, opined that Bhatt had made a faithful remake of The Fugitive.[5]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "No ripoffs, please". The Telegraph. 24 May 2009. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  2. ↑ "Copycats in Tollywood". Deccan Chronicle. 30 January 2017. Archived from the original on 3 October 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  3. ↑ "TC Exclusive: K.S. Rama Rao - Interview". TeluguCinema.com. 12 January 2006. Archived from the original on 19 November 2006. Retrieved 14 September 2024. KSR: I liked the subject, and so we did that film. I still like that film though it was a flop.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Criminal". JioSaavn. 8 April 1996. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Vijiyan, K. (3 July 1995). "Indian version of 'The Fugitive'". New Straits Times. p. 26. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  6. ↑ "Ellame En Kadhali". Raaga. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  7. ↑ Alluru, Rahim (21 October 1994). "చిత్ర సమీక్ష: క్రిమినల్" [Film review: Criminal] (PDF). Zamin Ryot (in తెలుగు). p. 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.

External links[edit | edit source]

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