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{{Short description|1988 Indian film by N. Chandra}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
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| caption        = Film poster
| caption        = Film poster
| director      = [[N. Chandra]]
| director      = [[N. Chandra]]
| producer      = N.Chandra
| producer      = N. Chandra
| writer        = N. Chandra<br>Kamlesh Pandey
| writer        = N. Chandra<br>Kamlesh Pandey (dialogues)
| starring      = [[Anil Kapoor]]<br>[[Madhuri Dixit]]<br>[[Anupam Kher]]<br>Tripta B.<br>[[Chunky Pandey]]<br>[[Mandakini (actress)|Mandakini]]<br>[[Kiran Kumar]]<br>[[Suresh Oberoi]]
| starring      = [[Anil Kapoor]]<br>[[Madhuri Dixit]]<br>[[Anupam Kher]]<br>[[Chunky Panday]]<br>[[Mandakini (actress)|Mandakini]]<br>[[Kiran Kumar]]<br>[[Suresh Oberoi]]
| music          = [[Laxmikant Pyarelal]]
| music          = [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]
| cinematography = [[Baba Azmi]]
| cinematography = [[Baba Azmi]]
| editing        =  
| editing        =  
| studio        =  
| studio        =  
| distributor    =  
| distributor    =  
| released      = {{Film date|df=yes|1988|11|11}}
| released      = {{Film date|df=y|1988|11|11}}
| runtime        = 174&nbsp;mins
| runtime        = 173&nbsp;mins
| country        = India
| country        = India
| language      = Hindi
| language      = Hindi
}}
}}


'''''Tezaab''''' ({{Translation|Acid}}) is a 1988 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[action romance]] film starring [[Anil Kapoor]] and [[Madhuri Dixit]] in lead roles. The film gave actress Madhuri Dixit her first big break, making her an overnight star. It reaffirmed Anil Kapoor's star status, after a successful ''[[Mr. India (1987 film)|Mr. India]]'' (1987).
'''''Tezaab''''' ({{Translation|Acid}}) is a 1988 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[romance film|romantic]] [[action drama film]] starring [[Anil Kapoor]] and [[Madhuri Dixit]] in lead roles. The film gave Dixit her first big break, making her an overnight star in addition to reaffirming Kapoor's superstar status, after a successful ''[[Mr. India (1987 film)|Mr. India]]'' (1987). The film was directed, produced, and co-written by [[N. Chandra]]. The music was composed by [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal]].


The film was produced and directed by [[N. Chandra]]. The music is by [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]. ''Tezaab'' is known for the song "[[Ek Do Teen (song)|Ek Do Teen]]", which was a chart success.<ref>According to Usha Iyer, the song "took sixteen days of laborious rehearsal and seven days of shooting, including a continuous twenty-four-hour shoot to produce." For Madhuri Dixit, "It was like a classroom for me. I learned how to dance for the camera with this song." Iyer, ''Dancing Women: Choreographing Corporeal Histories of Hindi Cinema'' (Oxford Univ. Press, 2020), 184; {{ISBN|9780190938765}}</ref> It ran in theatres for more than 50&nbsp; weeks, becoming a golden jubilee, and it was the highest blockbuster at the box office for the year 1988 in [[Bollywood]]. With ''Tezaab'', N. Chandra scored a box office hat-trick with his previous hits ''[[Ankush]]'' (1986) and ''[[Pratighaat]]'' (1987).<ref name=today>{{cite web | title =Mean street Moghul: Hit director N. Chandra brings realism to films|work= India Today| url = http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hit-director-n.-chandra-brings-realism-to-films/1/323160.html |author=Madhu Jain|date=28 February 1989|accessdate = 2014-09-24 }}</ref>
''Tezaab'' was released on 11 November 1988 and was a major commercial success at the box office, becoming the [[List of Indian films of 1988#Box office collection|highest-grossing Indian film of the year]]. It ran in theatres for more than 50 weeks, becoming a golden jubilee success. With ''Tezaab'', N. Chandra scored a box office hat-trick with his previous hits ''[[Ankush (1986 film)|Ankush]]'' (1986) and ''[[Pratighaat]]'' (1987).<ref name="today">{{cite web |author=Madhu Jain |date=28 February 1989 |title=Mean street Moghul: Hit director N. Chandra brings realism to films |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19890228-hit-director-n-chandra-brings-realism-to-films-815813-1989-02-27 |access-date=2014-09-24 |work=India Today}}</ref> The film is also popular for the song "Ek Do Teen", which was a chartbusting success.<ref>According to Usha Iyer, the song "took sixteen days of laborious rehearsal and seven days of shooting, including a continuous twenty-four-hour shoot to produce." For Madhuri Dixit, "It was like a classroom for me. I learned how to dance for the camera with this song." Iyer, ''Dancing Women: Choreographing Corporeal Histories of Hindi Cinema'' (Oxford Univ. Press, 2020), 184; {{ISBN|9780190938765}}</ref> It received positive reviews from critics and viewers upon release, with praise for its story, screenplay, dialogues, soundtrack, and performances of the cast.


''Tezaab'' was critically acclaimed and garnered 4 [[Filmfare Awards]] from 12 nominations. Anil Kapoor won his first [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] award, and Madhuri Dixit garnered her first-ever [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] nomination.
At the [[34th Filmfare Awards]], ''Tezaab'' received a leading 12 nominations, [[Filmfare Best Film Award|Best Film]], [[Filmfare Best Director Award|Best Director]] (Chandra), [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] (Dixit) and [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] (Panday), and won 4 awards, including  [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] (Kapoor), [[Filmfare Best Female Playback Award|Best Female Playback Singer]] ([[Alka Yagnik]]) and [[Filmfare Best Choreography Award|Best Choreography]] ([[Saroj Khan]]), the latter two for the song "Ek, Do, Teen". At the ceremony, Kapoor scored his first Best Actor win, while Dixit garnered her first-ever [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] nomination.
 
The film was remade in Telugu as ''[[Two Town Rowdy]]'', with [[Daggubati Venkatesh]] and in Tamil ''[[Rojavai Killathe]]'', with [[Arjun Sarja|Arjun]]. The core storyline is loosely based on the 1984 movie ''[[Streets of Fire]]''.


==Plot==
==Plot==
Inspector Singh ([[Suresh Oberoi]]) gets a tip about Munna ([[Anil Kapoor]]) <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mashoor.media/anil-kapoor/|title=Anil Kapoor,Age,Bio,Family,Films,Wife,etc. |date=26 August 2021|website=Mashoor.Media|access-date=30 August 2021}}</ref>
When Inspector Singh learns that a man, Munna, is about to reach his region of jurisdiction, he checks Munna's record. Munna is identified as Cadet Mahesh Deshmukh, whom he first met at the scene of a bank robbery in [[Nashik]] a few years prior, where Mahesh's parents and numerous other bank employees had been brutally murdered by a gang of thieves.
, entering his jurisdiction, so he checks Munna's file. Inspector Singh recognises Munna as corrupt police officers in cadet Mahesh Deshmukh, a brilliant cadet whom he met a few years ago at a bank robbery crime scene in [[Nasik]], whereby Mahesh's parents and many other bank employees were mercilessly killed by a gangster of robbers.
 
Inspector Singh tracks Munna an honest life, re-kindles his relationship and asks him where he disappeared after the bank incident. To which Munna/Mahesh replies:
 
He had shifted to Bombay with his sister Jyoti, where he met an impoverished and unfortunate but kind-hearted and gentlewoman, Mohini, who was forced to dance to make money for her father Shyamlal (Anupam Kher). He is a drunkard who does not want to marry off Mohini because she made money for him by dancing in nearby nightclubs. He behaved similarly with his wife (Suhas Joshi), and when she had refused to do as he wished, he threw acid on her. Mohini's Mother committed suicide thereafter.
 
In his youth, Shyamlal had taken a huge loan from Lotiya Pathan (a dreaded gangster) and the only way to repay it was to make Mohini dance. Shyamlal also has to deal with Chote Khan, the younger brother of Lotiya, who was involved in the Bank robbery and had killed Mahesh/Munna's parents, and also Chote Khan was arrested due to Mahesh/Munna.


After release/bailout, immediately Chote Khan had attempted to rape Jyoti, but Mahesh killed Chote Khan in self-defense. For this, Mahesh/Munna was arrested and sentenced to one year in jail, after which he changed his name to Munna wounds.
Following the bank incident, Inspector Singh finds Munna, rekindles their connection, and inquires as to his whereabouts. Munna reveals that he and his sister Jyoti had relocated to Bombay, where they had met Mohini, a poor and miserable woman who was compelled to dance in order to support her father, Shyamlal, a drunk man who does not want to marry Mohini off. He acted similarly against his wife, and when she disobeyed him, he attacked her with acid, resulting in her committing suicide.


On learning the whole story from Mahesh/Munna, Inspector Singh allows him to complete his task and stipulates some conditions, including the time and politician date of return/surrender.
In his youth, Shyamlal had taken a huge loan from Lotiya Pathan, a dreaded gangster, and the only way to repay it was to make Mohini dance. Shyamlal also has to deal with Chote Khan, the younger brother of Lotiya, who was involved in the robbery and the death of Mahesh's parents. Meanwhile, Mahesh and Mohini fall in love with each other while studying in the same college, where he joins a group of boys.


When Lotiya hears that Mahesh/Munna is back in town, he kidnaps Mohini. Shyamlal now approaches/begs Munna to get Mohini rescued ASAP and requires that she be returned to him only. Mahesh rescues Mohini, and they rejoice to see each other again after a long time, but Mahesh asks Mohini to return to her father; Mohini becomes sad again as heartbroken, she had expected to follow with her lover.
After being released on bail, Chote Khan attempts to rape Jyoti, but Mahesh kills him in self-defense. Mahesh is subsequently arrested and sentenced to one year in prison. After his release, Mahesh changes his name to Munna.


As he had promised Inspector Singh, Munna surrenders whereupon he is tried and tested in Court and then sent to prison for some time.
Upon learning Munna's backstory, Inspector Singh allows him to complete his mission under strict conditions. When Lotiya hears of Munna's return, he kidnaps Mohini. Shyamlal pleads with Munna to rescue her and insists that she be returned only to him. Munna successfully rescues Mohini, but although they are happy to reunite, Munna asks her to return to her father, leaving Mohini heartbroken. As promised, Munna surrenders to Inspector Singh, is tried in court, and sentenced to prison. After a retrial, Munna is acquitted and decides to start a new life in Goa. However, Jyoti convinces him not to abandon his love for Mohini. Munna sends his friends Guldasta and Baban to inform Mohini of his whereabouts. Shyamlal, overhearing Mohini's plans to escape, becomes enraged and attempts to stop her. In the ensuing conflict, Guldasta and Shyamlal are both killed, but Mohini manages to escape and reunites with Munna.


After a retrial, Munna is acquitted of his charges and plans to start afresh in another city - [[Goa]]. However, his sister Jyoti convinces Mahesh/ Munna not to forget his lover Mohini - so Mahesh/Munna sends his friends- Guldasta and Baban - to explain to Mohini where her lover is now.
Meanwhile, Lotiya, enraged by Munna's acquittal, plans to kill him to avenge his brother's death. Munna's friend Baban learns of Lotiya's conspiracy and confronts him, leading to a fierce fight where Lotiya is defeated. In a moment of rage, Baban attempts to kill Lotiya, but Munna intervenes to prevent the murder. Lotiya regains his strength and attacks Munna with a club. Baban sacrifices himself to protect Munna. Munna then confronts Lotiya and is about to kill him when Inspector Singh arrives and stops him, urging Munna not to take the law into his own hands. However, when Lotiya attempts another attack on Munna, Inspector Singh shoots and kills him, bringing the conflict to an end.


The evil father, Shyamlal overhears Mohini's plans to escape all enraged, Shyamlal and he tries to stop Mohini from leaving. This enrages Guldasta and Shyamlal have a fight in which both die, but Mohini manages to escape safely, and Mohini meets Munna again.
However, Lotiya, learning of Munna's acquittal, conspires to kill him as revenge for his brother's death - so they all meet up at a dockyard. Baban ([[Chunky Pandey]]) gets a tip of Lotiya's conspiracy and challenges Lotiya. Lotiya gets enraged, and a fight between him and Baban ends in Lotiya getting defeated. Baban wants to kill Lotiya in the fit of rage, but Munna intercepts him and stops him from committing murder. Meanwhile, Lotiya regains his strength and goes to attack becomes angrily Munna with a club. Baban dies, deflecting the attack. Munna fights back at Lotiya and is henchmen about to kill him, but Inspector Singh interrupts just in time to stop him from taking the law into his hands.
Inspector Singh recognizes he's breaking the law but allows Munna to fight Lotiya as beaten up he sees this as a way of Munna letting go of his anger and hatred he holds within himself. As Munna defeats Lotiya, Lotiya quickly gets up and tries to attack and kill Munna, a furious but Inspector Singh kills him with crowds his service pistol, and justice is wanted by served finally.
; Alternate ending
; Alternate ending
Baban, a wounded, does not die here; excluding this fact, the rest of the ending is exactly like the original.
Baban does not die here; excluding this fact, the rest of the ending is exactly like the original.


==Cast==
==Cast==
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* [[Madhuri Dixit]] as Mohini Dhanyekar
* [[Madhuri Dixit]] as Mohini Dhanyekar
* [[Anupam Kher]] as Shyamlal Dhanyekar, Mohini's father
* [[Anupam Kher]] as Shyamlal Dhanyekar, Mohini's father
* [[Chunky Pandey]] as Sushim "Baban" Choudhry, Munna's friend
* [[Chunky Panday]] as Sushim "Baban" Choudhry, Munna's friend
* [[Aruna Irani]] as Chamkeeli Bai
* [[Suparna Anand]] as Jyoti Deshmukh, Munna's younger sister
* [[Suparna Anand]] as Jyoti Deshmukh, Munna's younger sister
* [[Kiran Kumar]] as Lotiya Pathan
* [[Kiran Kumar]] as Lotiya Pathan
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* [[Johnny Lever]] as Kainchee Singh, Munna's friend
* [[Johnny Lever]] as Kainchee Singh, Munna's friend
* [[Mahavir Shah]] as Inspector Tarachand Gupta
* [[Mahavir Shah]] as Inspector Tarachand Gupta
* Salman Khan as Rookki
* [[Jack Gaud]] as Mukut Bihari
* [[Jack Gaud]] as Mukut Bihari
* [[Dinesh Hingoo]] as Marwadi Seth
* [[Dinesh Hingoo]] as Marwadi Seth
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* [[Vijay Patkar]] as Chiraunji Surwadhre, Munna's friend
* [[Vijay Patkar]] as Chiraunji Surwadhre, Munna's friend
* Jaywant Wadkar as Aman Pratap Ahuja, Munna's friend
* Jaywant Wadkar as Aman Pratap Ahuja, Munna's friend
* [[Mandakini (actress)|Mandakini]] as Nikita Sharma ([[Cameo appearance]])
* [[Mandakini (actress)|Mandakini]] as Nikita Sharma (Special appearance)
* [[Suhas Joshi]] as Sumira Dhanyekar, Mohini's mother (Cameo appearance)
* [[Suhasini Joshi]] as Sumira Dhanyekar, Mohini's mother (Cameo appearance)
* [[Ravi Patwardhan]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Tezaab (1988) Cast - Actor, Actress, Director, Producer, Music Director |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/tezaab-6506/cast-crew |website=Cinestaan |access-date=30 December 2020}}</ref> as Lawyer, Public Prosecutor
* [[Ravi Patwardhan]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Tezaab (1988) Cast - Actor, Actress, Director, Producer, Music Director |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/tezaab-6506/cast-crew |website=Cinestaan |access-date=30 December 2020}}</ref> as Lawyer, Public Prosecutor


==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
The song ''Ek Do Teen'' was inspired by the opening bars of an old popular song "Chanda mama door ke" composed by the famous yesteryears music composer [[Ravi (music director)|Ravi]] for the film ''[[Vachan]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=A tribute to the music composer Ravi |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ6UEvUV3ec |website=Video - stage performance, Music composer Ravi |publisher=Dattaram |accessdate=5 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Song - Chanda mama door ke (Vachan) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTJ7gqkAInY |website=SEPL Vintage website |publisher=SEPL |accessdate=5 November 2018}}</ref> The film's [[soundtrack album]] sold more than 8{{nbsp}}million units,<ref>{{cite news |title=Top 25 films between the years 1985-1994 |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/top-25-films-between-the-years-1985-1994_-26676-1.html |work=[[Filmfare]] |date=18 February 2018}}</ref> becoming the second best-selling [[Bollywood music]] album of 1988, behind only ''[[Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Music Hits 1980-1989 |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=283&catName=MTk4MC0xOTg5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205042958/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=283&catName=MTk4MC0xOTg5 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2010 |website=[[Box Office India]] |accessdate=5 February 2010}}</ref>
The film's music is composed by [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal]].The song ''Ek Do Teen'' was inspired by the opening bars of an old popular song "Chanda Mama Door Ke" composed by the famous yesteryears music composer [[Ravi (music director)|Ravi]] for the film ''[[Vachan]]'' (1955).<ref>{{cite web |title=A tribute to the music composer Ravi |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ6UEvUV3ec |website=Video - stage performance, Music composer Ravi |publisher=Dattaram |accessdate=5 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Song - Chanda mama door ke (Vachan) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTJ7gqkAInY |website=SEPL Vintage website |publisher=SEPL |accessdate=5 November 2018}}</ref> The film's [[soundtrack album]] sold more than 8{{nbsp}}million units,<ref>{{cite news |title=Top 25 films between the years 1985-1994 |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/top-25-films-between-the-years-1985-1994_-26676-1.html |work=[[Filmfare]] |date=18 February 2018}}</ref> becoming the second best-selling [[Bollywood music]] album of 1988, behind only ''[[Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Music Hits 1980-1989 |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=283&catName=MTk4MC0xOTg5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205042958/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=283&catName=MTk4MC0xOTg5 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2010 |website=[[Box Office India]] |accessdate=5 February 2010}}</ref>
{{Tracklist
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
 
| all_writing  = [[Javed Akhtar]]
| title1 = So Gaya Yeh Jahan
| all_music    =
| extra1 = [[Nitin Mukesh]], [[Shabbir Kumar]] & [[Alka Yagnik]]
| title1       = So Gaya Yeh Jahan
| length1 = 06:04
| extra1       = [[Nitin Mukesh]], [[Shabbir Kumar]] & [[Alka Yagnik]]
 
| length1       = 06:04
| title2 = [[Ek Do Teen (song)|Ek Do Teen]]
| title2       = [[Ek Do Teen (song)|Ek Do Teen]]
| extra2 = [[Amit Kumar (singer)|Amit Kumar]], [[Alka Yagnik]]
| extra2       = [[Amit Kumar (singer)|Amit Kumar]], [[Alka Yagnik]]
| length2 = 06:15
| length2       = 06:15
 
| title3       = Keh Do Ke Tum
| title3 = Keh Do Ke Tum
| extra3       = [[Amit Kumar (singer)|Amit Kumar]], [[Anuradha Paudwal]]
| extra3 = [[Amit Kumar (singer)|Amit Kumar]], [[Anuradha Paudwal]]
| length3       = 07:57
| length3 = 07:57
| title4       = Tum Ko Hum Dilbar
 
| extra4       = [[Sudesh Bhosle]], Anuradha Paudwal
| title4 = Tum Ko Hum Dilbar
| length4       = 06:43
| extra4 = [[Sudesh Bhosle]], Anuradha Paudwal
| title5       = Dandia Music
| length4 = 06:43
| note5         = Instrumental
 
| length5       = 04:47
| title5 = Dandia Music
| note5 = Instrumental
| length5 = 04:47
}}
}}


''Ek Do Teen'' was subsequently recreated for another movie ''[[Baaghi 2]]'', sung this time by [[Shreya Ghoshal]].<ref>[http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/jacqueline-fernandez-recreating-ek-do-teen-cannot-replicate-madhuri-dixit-5059333/]</ref>
''Ek Do Teen'' was subsequently recreated for another movie ''[[Baaghi 2]] (2018)'', sung this time by [[Shreya Ghoshal]] and another version sung by [[Palak Muchhal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/jacqueline-fernandez-recreating-ek-do-teen-cannot-replicate-madhuri-dixit-5059333/|title=Jacqueline Fernandez on recreating "Ek do Teen": You cannot replicate someone like Madhuri Dixit|date=11 February 2018}}</ref>


''So Gaya Yeh Jahan'' also remade for another movie. On 2013, this song remade for [[Nautanki Saala!]] sung by [[Nitin Mukesh]] with composer [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]. On 2019, this song remade again for movie [[Bypass Road (film)|Bypass Road]], sung by [[Nitin Mukesh]] featuring [[Jubin Nautiyal]] and [[Saloni Thakkar]] with composer [[Raaj Aashoo]].
''So Gaya Yeh Jahan'' was also remade for another film. In 2013, this song was remade for [[Nautanki Saala!]], sung by [[Nitin Mukesh]] with composer [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]. In 2019, this song was remade again for the movie [[Bypass Road (film)|Bypass Road]], sung by [[Nitin Mukesh]] featuring [[Jubin Nautiyal]] and [[Saloni Thakkar]] with composer [[Raaj Aashoo]].


==Production==
Aditya Pancholi was originally cast as the male lead.<ref>{{cite web |title=Aditya Pancholi's indirect dig at Anil Kapoor; recalls being replaced in ‘Tezaab’ by actor with 'influential brother' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/aditya-pancholis-indirect-dig-at-anil-kapoor-recalls-being-replaced-in-tezaab-by-actor-with-influential-brother-101761638157013.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=28 October 2025 |language=en |date=28 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Aditya Pancholi hints that Anil Kapoor and Boney Kapoor convinced N. Chandra to replace him in Tezaab: ‘Politics in the film industry runs deeper than nepotism’ |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/aditya-pancholi-hints-anil-kapoor-and-boney-kapoor-convinced-n-chandra-to-replace-him-in-tezaab-10330336/ |website=The Indian Express |access-date=28 October 2025 |language=en |date=27 October 2025}}</ref>
==Awards==
==Awards==
;[[34th Filmfare Awards]]
;[[34th Filmfare Awards]]<nowiki>:</nowiki>
;;Won
;;Won
* [[Filmfare Best Actor Award|Best Actor]] - [[Anil Kapoor]]
* [[Filmfare Best Actor Award|Best Actor]] [[Anil Kapoor]]
* [[Filmfare Best Female Playback Award|Best Female Playback Singer]] [[Alka Yagnik]] - "Ek Do Teen"
* [[Filmfare Best Female Playback Award|Best Female Playback Singer]] [[Alka Yagnik]] for "Ek Do Teen"
* [[Filmfare Best Choreography Award|Best Choreography]] - [[Saroj Khan]] - "Ek Do Teen"
* [[Filmfare Best Choreography Award|Best Choreography]] [[Saroj Khan]] for "Ek Do Teen"
* [[Filmfare Best Dialogue Award|Best Dialogue]] - [[Kamlesh Pandey]]
* [[Filmfare Best Dialogue Award|Best Dialogue]] [[Kamlesh Pandey]]


;; Nominated
;; Nominated
* [[Filmfare Best Film Award|Best Film]] - Dinesh Gandhi
* [[Filmfare Best Film Award|Best Film]] – [[N. Chandra]]
* [[Filmfare Best Director Award|Best Director]] - [[N. Chandra]]
* [[Filmfare Best Director Award|Best Director]] N. Chandra
* [[Filmfare Best Actress Award|Best Actress]] - [[Madhuri Dixit]]
* [[Filmfare Best Actress Award|Best Actress]] [[Madhuri Dixit]]
* [[Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award|Best Supporting Award]] [[Chunkey Pandey]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] [[Chunky Panday]]
* [[Filmfare Best Music Director Award|Best Music Director]] - [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]
* [[Filmfare Best Music Director Award|Best Music Director]] [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]
* [[Filmfare Best Lyricist Award|Best Lyricist]] [[Javed Akhtar]]- "Ek Do Teen"
* [[Filmfare Best Lyricist Award|Best Lyricist]] [[Javed Akhtar]] for "Ek Do Teen"
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]] - [[Amit Kumar (singer)|Amit Kumar]] - "Ek Do Teen"
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]] [[Amit Kumar (singer)|Amit Kumar]] for "Ek Do Teen"
* Best Female Playback Singer - [[Anuradha Paudwal]] - "Keh Do Ke Tum"
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer|Best Female Playback Singer]] – [[Anuradha Paudwal]] for "Keh Do Ke Tum"


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:1988 films]]
[[Category:1988 films]]
[[Category:Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:1988 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:1980s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:1980s crime action films]]
[[Category:1980s crime action films]]
[[Category:Indian crime action films]]
[[Category:Indian crime action films]]
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[[Category:1988 action thriller films]]
[[Category:1988 action thriller films]]
[[Category:1980s romantic thriller films]]
[[Category:1980s romantic thriller films]]
[[Category:1980s crime thriller films]]
[[Category:1988 crime thriller films]]
[[Category:Films directed by N. Chandra]]
[[Category:Films directed by N. Chandra]]
[[Category:Films scored by Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]
[[Category:Films scored by Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]
[[Category:Indian remakes of American films]]
[[Category:Hindi films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Hindi films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Films set in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Films set in Maharashtra]]
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[[Category:Films shot in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Indian romantic action films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic action films]]
[[Category:Masala films]]
[[Category:1980s masala films]]
[[Category:Films featuring an item number]]
[[Category:1980s romantic action films]]
[[Category:1980s romantic action films]]
[[Category:1980s vigilante films]]
[[Category:1980s vigilante films]]
[[Category:1988 musical films]]

Latest revision as of 12:16, 27 May 2026


Tezaab
Film poster
Directed byN. Chandra
Produced byN. Chandra
Written byN. Chandra
Kamlesh Pandey (dialogues)
StarringAnil Kapoor
Madhuri Dixit
Anupam Kher
Chunky Panday
Mandakini
Kiran Kumar
Suresh Oberoi
Music byLaxmikant–Pyarelal
CinematographyBaba Azmi
Release date
  • 11 November 1988 (1988-11-11)
Running time
173 mins
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

Tezaab (transl. Acid) is a 1988 Indian Hindi-language romantic action drama film starring Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit in lead roles. The film gave Dixit her first big break, making her an overnight star in addition to reaffirming Kapoor's superstar status, after a successful Mr. India (1987). The film was directed, produced, and co-written by N. Chandra. The music was composed by Laxmikant–Pyarelal.

Tezaab was released on 11 November 1988 and was a major commercial success at the box office, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of the year. It ran in theatres for more than 50 weeks, becoming a golden jubilee success. With Tezaab, N. Chandra scored a box office hat-trick with his previous hits Ankush (1986) and Pratighaat (1987).[1] The film is also popular for the song "Ek Do Teen", which was a chartbusting success.[2] It received positive reviews from critics and viewers upon release, with praise for its story, screenplay, dialogues, soundtrack, and performances of the cast.

At the 34th Filmfare Awards, Tezaab received a leading 12 nominations, Best Film, Best Director (Chandra), Best Actress (Dixit) and Best Supporting Actor (Panday), and won 4 awards, including Best Actor (Kapoor), Best Female Playback Singer (Alka Yagnik) and Best Choreography (Saroj Khan), the latter two for the song "Ek, Do, Teen". At the ceremony, Kapoor scored his first Best Actor win, while Dixit garnered her first-ever Best Actress nomination.

Plot[edit | edit source]

When Inspector Singh learns that a man, Munna, is about to reach his region of jurisdiction, he checks Munna's record. Munna is identified as Cadet Mahesh Deshmukh, whom he first met at the scene of a bank robbery in Nashik a few years prior, where Mahesh's parents and numerous other bank employees had been brutally murdered by a gang of thieves.

Following the bank incident, Inspector Singh finds Munna, rekindles their connection, and inquires as to his whereabouts. Munna reveals that he and his sister Jyoti had relocated to Bombay, where they had met Mohini, a poor and miserable woman who was compelled to dance in order to support her father, Shyamlal, a drunk man who does not want to marry Mohini off. He acted similarly against his wife, and when she disobeyed him, he attacked her with acid, resulting in her committing suicide.

In his youth, Shyamlal had taken a huge loan from Lotiya Pathan, a dreaded gangster, and the only way to repay it was to make Mohini dance. Shyamlal also has to deal with Chote Khan, the younger brother of Lotiya, who was involved in the robbery and the death of Mahesh's parents. Meanwhile, Mahesh and Mohini fall in love with each other while studying in the same college, where he joins a group of boys.

After being released on bail, Chote Khan attempts to rape Jyoti, but Mahesh kills him in self-defense. Mahesh is subsequently arrested and sentenced to one year in prison. After his release, Mahesh changes his name to Munna.

Upon learning Munna's backstory, Inspector Singh allows him to complete his mission under strict conditions. When Lotiya hears of Munna's return, he kidnaps Mohini. Shyamlal pleads with Munna to rescue her and insists that she be returned only to him. Munna successfully rescues Mohini, but although they are happy to reunite, Munna asks her to return to her father, leaving Mohini heartbroken. As promised, Munna surrenders to Inspector Singh, is tried in court, and sentenced to prison. After a retrial, Munna is acquitted and decides to start a new life in Goa. However, Jyoti convinces him not to abandon his love for Mohini. Munna sends his friends Guldasta and Baban to inform Mohini of his whereabouts. Shyamlal, overhearing Mohini's plans to escape, becomes enraged and attempts to stop her. In the ensuing conflict, Guldasta and Shyamlal are both killed, but Mohini manages to escape and reunites with Munna.

Meanwhile, Lotiya, enraged by Munna's acquittal, plans to kill him to avenge his brother's death. Munna's friend Baban learns of Lotiya's conspiracy and confronts him, leading to a fierce fight where Lotiya is defeated. In a moment of rage, Baban attempts to kill Lotiya, but Munna intervenes to prevent the murder. Lotiya regains his strength and attacks Munna with a club. Baban sacrifices himself to protect Munna. Munna then confronts Lotiya and is about to kill him when Inspector Singh arrives and stops him, urging Munna not to take the law into his own hands. However, when Lotiya attempts another attack on Munna, Inspector Singh shoots and kills him, bringing the conflict to an end.

Alternate ending

Baban does not die here; excluding this fact, the rest of the ending is exactly like the original.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

The film's music is composed by Laxmikant–Pyarelal.The song Ek Do Teen was inspired by the opening bars of an old popular song "Chanda Mama Door Ke" composed by the famous yesteryears music composer Ravi for the film Vachan (1955).[4][5] The film's soundtrack album sold more than 8 million units,[6] becoming the second best-selling Bollywood music album of 1988, behind only Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.[7]

All tracks are written by Javed Akhtar.

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."So Gaya Yeh Jahan"Nitin Mukesh, Shabbir Kumar & Alka Yagnik06:04
2."Ek Do Teen"Amit Kumar, Alka Yagnik06:15
3."Keh Do Ke Tum"Amit Kumar, Anuradha Paudwal07:57
4."Tum Ko Hum Dilbar"Sudesh Bhosle, Anuradha Paudwal06:43
5."Dandia Music" (Instrumental) 04:47

Ek Do Teen was subsequently recreated for another movie Baaghi 2 (2018), sung this time by Shreya Ghoshal and another version sung by Palak Muchhal.[8]

So Gaya Yeh Jahan was also remade for another film. In 2013, this song was remade for Nautanki Saala!, sung by Nitin Mukesh with composer Laxmikant–Pyarelal. In 2019, this song was remade again for the movie Bypass Road, sung by Nitin Mukesh featuring Jubin Nautiyal and Saloni Thakkar with composer Raaj Aashoo.

Production[edit | edit source]

Aditya Pancholi was originally cast as the male lead.[9][10]

Awards[edit | edit source]

34th Filmfare Awards:
Won
Nominated

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Madhu Jain (28 February 1989). "Mean street Moghul: Hit director N. Chandra brings realism to films". India Today. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  2. According to Usha Iyer, the song "took sixteen days of laborious rehearsal and seven days of shooting, including a continuous twenty-four-hour shoot to produce." For Madhuri Dixit, "It was like a classroom for me. I learned how to dance for the camera with this song." Iyer, Dancing Women: Choreographing Corporeal Histories of Hindi Cinema (Oxford Univ. Press, 2020), 184; ISBN 9780190938765
  3. "Tezaab (1988) Cast - Actor, Actress, Director, Producer, Music Director". Cinestaan. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  4. "A tribute to the music composer Ravi". Video - stage performance, Music composer Ravi. Dattaram. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  5. "Song - Chanda mama door ke (Vachan)". SEPL Vintage website. SEPL. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  6. "Top 25 films between the years 1985-1994". Filmfare. 18 February 2018.
  7. "Music Hits 1980-1989". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 5 February 2010. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  8. "Jacqueline Fernandez on recreating "Ek do Teen": You cannot replicate someone like Madhuri Dixit". 11 February 2018.
  9. "Aditya Pancholi's indirect dig at Anil Kapoor; recalls being replaced in 'Tezaab' by actor with 'influential brother'". Hindustan Times. 28 October 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  10. "Aditya Pancholi hints that Anil Kapoor and Boney Kapoor convinced N. Chandra to replace him in Tezaab: 'Politics in the film industry runs deeper than nepotism'". The Indian Express. 27 October 2025. Retrieved 28 October 2025.

External links[edit | edit source]