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Koyla
Koyla
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Koyla
Poster
Directed byRakesh Roshan
Written byAnwar Khan (dialogues)
Screenplay byRavi Kapoor
Sachin Bhowmick
Story byRakesh Roshan
Produced byRakesh Roshan
StarringShah Rukh Khan
Madhuri Dixit
Amrish Puri
CinematographySameer Arya
Edited bySanjay Verma
Music byRajesh Roshan
Production
company
Filmkraft Productions Pvt. Ltd.
Distributed byYash Raj Films
Sony Pictures
Release date
  • 18 April 1997 (1997-04-18) (India)
Running time
167 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budgetest. ₹12 crore[1]
Box officeest. ₹28.05 crore[1]

Koyla (transl. Coal) is a 1997 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed, co-written and produced by Rakesh Roshan starring Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Amrish Puri in lead roles with Johnny Lever, Ashok Saraf, Salim Ghouse, Deepshikha and Himani Shivpuri in supporting roles. Mohnish Bahl makes a special appearance. The film was released worldwide on 18 April 1997 and declared an average grosser at the box office, earning over 28.05 crore worldwide against a budget of 11.90 crore. Koyla emerged as the 8th most successful film of 1997 in India. Critics praised the action sequences performed by Khan. The film also earned Amrish Puri a Best Villain nomination at the 43rd Filmfare Awards. Some scenes were shot in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. This is the third and final collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and Rakesh Roshan.

Plot

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Handsome but mute, Shankar is raised by the powerful Raja, to whom he is loyal. Raja treats him like a slave ,though. Raja's brother Brijwa, a violent psychopath habitually beats Shankar.

A ruthless man with a large appetite for young women, Raja kills anyone who dares to defy him. When Raja sees Gauri, a pretty and innocent villager, he decides to marry her and sends her a photo of Shankar so that Gauri will agree to marry.

During the wedding ceremony, Gauri discovers that Shankar isn't her groom and faints. Raja however orders the priest to continue. When she regains consciousness, Gauri is shocked to see Raja trying to consummate their marriage. When she resists, Raja imprisons her and tortures her.

Gauri tries to commit suicide, but Shankar saves her. She accuses him of ruining her life, but soon realizes he is innocent. When Gauri's brother Ashok visits them, Raja forces Gauri to lie that she is happy. Shankar reveals the truth to Ashok by writing in the dirt that Raja and Brijwa kill Ashok when he tries to rescue his sister. Ashok makes Shankar promise that he will save Gauri and dies.

Gauri and Shankar flee Raja's mansion. Enraged, Raja sets a search in motion with the help of a corrupt DIG. After a long chase through the jungle and mountains, Shankar kills Raja's men. Gauri and Shankar begin to fall in love. Raja captures them by shooting Gauri in the arm.

Shankar is brutally beaten by Brijwa and the corrupt DIG, and Raja slits his throat, leaving him to die in the mountains. Gauri is sold to a brothel after Raja discovers she loves Shankar. There, Bindiya, Raja's former lover, who was disowned by him after she too fell for Shankar, saves Gauri. Brijwa, at his brother's orders, humiliates Bindiya in public and stabs her.

Shankar is saved by a village boy who brings him to his grandfather (a healer), who operates on his throat while he is still unconscious. The healer, who discovers that Shankar is not mute by birth, is able to repair some of the damaged nerves in Shankar's throat, enabling him to speak. While recovering, Shankar recalls that when he was a boy, his father discovered diamonds in the coal mine, and then his parents were murdered by two mysterious men. When young Shankar threatened to tell the news to family friends, someone shoved hot coals into his throat, rendering him mute.

Shankar returns to the mansion and kills Brijwa. He rescues Gauri from the same men who had killed his parents, killing one of them in the process. Shankar discovers that Raja was responsible for making him mute and ordering his parents to be killed so he could steal their wealth. He reunites with Raja's doctor and son and, with their help, kills Raja's henchman and reveals Raja's crimes to the coal miners.

Gauri arrives with her uncle and aunt, forcing them to admit their involvement in making her marry Raja. Raja's doctor and his son turn against him, revealing that he not only deceived Gauri, but is also responsible for numerous killings and rapes. Chaos follows among the mine workers. Shankar corners Raja, who begs for his life. After dodging a pickaxe thrown at him, Shankar kills Raja by spilling oil and coal around him and setting him on fire with a burning rock. Shankar and Gauri embrace each other.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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Rakesh Roshan got the idea of making Koyla when he was shooting for his other directorial venture Karobaar: The Business of Love in 1992, which got delayed and was finally released in 2000. Koyla tells the story of a simple-hearted village girl who falls in love with her torturing husband's mute servant, who then takes revenge against his boss. The film was also Rakesh Roshan's first film to feature DTS 5.1 surround sound.

Casting

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Roshan had approached Sunny Deol for the role of Shankar after watching the latter's action scenes in the 1996 films Jeet and Ghatak: Lethal. Due to unknown reasons, Deol rejected the role. Roshan offered the role to Shah Rukh Khan, who had worked with him in King Uncle (1993) and Karan Arjun (1995).

Sonali Bendre was the initial choice to play Gauri, but Roshan later signed Madhuri Dixit. Koyla marked the second collaboration between Khan and Dixit following Anjaam (1994) after which they also starred in Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Gaja Gamini (2000), Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (2002), and Devdas (2002).

Filming

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Principal photography of Koyla began in June 1996. A song of the film, Tanhai Tanhai, and some of the scenes, were shot at the Nuranang Falls (the Jang Falls) & Sela Lake near Jang Town north of Sela Tunnel/Sela Pass in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh.[2][3] Other scenes were also filmed in Hyderabad and south areas of Ooty.

During the shooting of the film's one of the popular songs, Ghungte Mein Chanda, Khan fractured his leg.[4] The other song of the film, Dekha Tujhe Toh, was to be therefore exited from the film because of his fracture, but after Khan's leg got fully well, the song was shot. The sound of real pots was used for the background music of Dekha Tujhe Toh.

Soundtrack

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Koyla
Soundtrack album by
Released1997
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length42:40
LabelTips Music

The soundtrack was very popular, especially tracks "Dekha Tujhe Toh" and "Ghoongte Mein Chanda". According to the Indian trade website Box Office India, with around 18,00,000 units sold, the soundtrack became the thirteenth highest-selling album of the year.

# Title Singer(s) Length
1. "Dekha Tujhe Toh" Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik 07:32
2. "Ghoongte Mein Chanda" Udit Narayan 06:17
3. "Badan Juda Hote" Kumar Sanu, Preeti Singh 10:30
4. "Saanson Ki Mala" Kavita Krishnamurthy 06:47
5. "Tanhai Tanhai" Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik 05:35
6. "Bhang Ke Nashe" Alka Yagnik 06:07

Box office

[edit]

Koyla grossed 25.91 crore (US$3.1 million) in India and $600,000 (2.14 crore) in other countries, for a worldwide total of 28.05 crore (US$3.3 million), against its 12 crore (US$1.4 million) budget. It had a worldwide opening weekend of 5.39 crore (US$640,000), and grossed 9.60 crore (US$1.1 million) in its first week.[1] It is the 9th-highest-grossing Bollywood film of 1997 worldwide.[5][6]

India

[edit]

It opened on Friday, 18 April 1997, across 275 screens, and had a record opening of 15 crore (US$1.8 million) nett. The film shared the record for the highest opening day with the previous record opener Trimurti which also grossed 1.06 crore (US$130,000) nett on its opening day. It went on to break 3.07 crore (US$360,000) nett opening weekend record set by Trimurti, and recorded the highest ever opening weekend of 3.10 crore (US$370,000) nett. It had a first week of 5.52 crore (US$650,000) nett. The film earned a total of 14.88 crore (US$1.8 million) nett.[1]

Overseas

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It earned $600,000 (2.14 crore) outside India.[1]

Home media

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The film, after its release, saw a home media launch on VHS, VCD, and DVD over the next ten years of its release. There has not been a Blu-ray Disc or subsequent release since then.

'Koyla' worldwide collections breakdown
Territory Territory wise Collections break-up
India Nett Gross:
14.88 crore (US$1.8 million)
Distributor share:
8.36 crore (US$990,000)
Total Gross:
25.91 crore (US$3.1 million)
International
(Outside India)
$600,000 (2.14 crore)
Worldwide 28.05 crore (US$3.3 million)

Awards

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Koyla is a Indian Hindi-language action directed, co-written, and produced by . The film stars as Shankar, a loyal servant and driven by betrayal and vengeance, alongside as Gauri and as the tyrannical Raja Saab. Released on 18 , it features music composed by and became known for its intense action sequences and popular . The plot centers on Shankar, a talented young man orphaned and raised by the cruel landlord Raja Saab, who exploits him as a slave in his mines. When Raja Saab schemes to marry the innocent Gauri by deceiving her with Shankar's photograph, the truth leads to a confrontation in which Shankar is framed, tortured, and abandoned in a coal pit, where he loses his voice but survives. Gauri is recaptured, and Shankar later plots revenge to rescue her and dismantle Raja Saab's empire. Rescued and aided by a kind doctor, Shankar returns years later as a strong to deliver . Filmed primarily in , including locations in , Koyla was produced under Rakesh Roshan's Filmkraft banner with a budget of approximately ₹12 . The screenplay, inspired by themes of servitude and redemption, draws from classic revenge narratives while incorporating Bollywood elements like romance and song sequences. The soundtrack, featuring hits such as "Dekha Tujhe To" sung by and , was a major commercial success and contributed significantly to the film's popularity. At the , Koyla opened strongly with ₹1.06 on its first day and collected ₹14.88 nett in , emerging as an average grosser worldwide with total earnings of around ₹28 . Critically, it received mixed reviews for its melodramatic style but was praised for Khan's committed performance and the high-energy action . The film ranked as the ninth highest-grossing Bollywood movie of 1997 and remains a notable entry in Roshan's directorial oeuvre, highlighting themes of and resilience.

Pre-production

Development

Rakesh Roshan conceived Koyla as an action thriller centered on themes of betrayal, , and a mute protagonist enduring injustice, drawing inspiration from the 1990 American film starring . The narrative follows a simple man wronged by a tyrannical , echoing motifs of retribution in classic tales while adapting them to a rural Indian mine setting. Roshan wrote the original story and collaborated on the screenplay with Ravi Kapoor and Sachin Bhowmick, finalizing the script in 1996 ahead of production. This co-writing process emphasized high-stakes drama and emotional depth, with dialogues later penned by Anwar Khan to enhance the film's intensity. Produced under Roshan's Filmkraft banner, Koyla was allocated an initial budget of approximately ₹12 crore to support its ambitious action sequences and star-driven appeal. The project marked Roshan's follow-up to successful action-dramas like Karan Arjun (1995) and aiming to blend spectacle with poignant storytelling. Shah Rukh Khan was brought on board as the lead actor to portray the central character's silent rage and transformation.

Casting

Rakesh Roshan initially approached Sunny Deol for the lead role of Shankar in Koyla, but Deol declined due to disagreements over remuneration. The role was then offered to Shah Rukh Khan, who accepted it for the opportunity to portray a challenging mute character, remaining speechless for the majority of the runtime to convey emotions through physicality and expressions. Sonali Bendre was initially chosen to play the female lead Gauri, but was later replaced by . was cast as the female lead Gauri, selected for her renowned dance skills showcased in the film's song sequences and her established on-screen chemistry with Khan from prior collaborations such as . Amrish Puri was chosen to play the antagonist Raja Saab, leveraging his commanding screen presence and history of authoritative villainous roles to anchor the revenge-driven narrative. The supporting cast featured comedian as Chhote, Shankar's loyal friend, providing comic relief amid the tension, while Ranjeet Bedi portrayed the henchman Dilawar and took on the role of Brijwa, Raja Saab's brother. No significant controversies arose during the casting negotiations or selections.

Filming

Principal photography

Principal photography for Koyla began in June 1996 and spanned several months, directed by to capture the film's intense action-thriller . The production utilized traditional 35mm , with handled by Sameer Arya to emphasize the gritty, shadowy visuals of the story's backdrop and revenge-driven plot. Action sequences were coordinated by stunt specialist Taju Mehta, incorporating high-risk elements that highlighted the physicality of Khan's portrayal of Shankar, a mute in the first half of the film. A major challenge was executing the demanding stunts without compromising safety, particularly in the where Khan's character is engulfed in flames while confronting the . Khan performed the sequence himself without a , immediately agreeing to the hazardous setup upon Roshan's suggestion. Roshan later described Khan as a very daring person, noting that when he saw him on fire, he literally got scared, underscoring the actor's commitment to authenticity despite the evident risks. Filming in simulated coal mine environments presented additional hurdles, including harsh working conditions with heavy machinery and constant lighting rigs. Khan demonstrated remarkable dedication by resting amid these elements rather than seeking separate accommodations, prioritizing scene completion under tight schedules. Co-star recalled his humility, noting how he shared meals with the crew and adapted to the era's lack of vanity vans, fostering a focused team dynamic during intense scenes. Post-production editing was overseen by Sanjay Verma, who assembled the footage to maintain the film's pacing and emotional buildup, with dubbing and sound synchronization finalized ahead of the April 1997 release.

Locations

The principal filming for Koyla took place in , where Prithviraj Singhji’s mansion in , now a heritage , served as the backdrop for opulent palace sequences, lending an air of royal intrigue and grandeur to the narrative's feudal elements. Rural areas in the region were utilized for additional scenes, capturing the stark contrast between and power through authentic, dusty landscapes that enhanced the film's themes of exploitation and resilience. Coal mine sequences featured the Coal mines in for exterior footage, providing realistic industrial grit to the story's central motif of labor and vengeance. Several scenes, including the song "Tanhai Tanhai", were shot in at locations such as , Sangestsar Lake (also known as Madhuri Jheel), and Paradise Lake. In total, major locations included sites in Rajasthan, , and , with necessary permissions from local authorities obtained prior to filming to facilitate smooth production across these diverse terrains. Action scenes were adapted to the rugged landscapes of these sites for authenticity.

Music

Composition

The soundtrack for Koyla was composed by , the younger brother of the film's director and producer . This marked a continuation of their family collaboration, building on the commercial success of (1995), where Rajesh Roshan had previously provided the music for his brother's directorial venture. The lyrics for the six songs were penned by , a veteran lyricist known for his work in . Prominent playback singers featured on the album include and , alongside and Kavita Krishnamurthy, contributing to the melodic and emotional layers of the compositions. Rajesh Roshan also handled the background score, which underscores the film's intense revenge-driven narrative through orchestral arrangements that blend contemporary and traditional elements. The songs themselves serve to advance key points, providing relief and emotional resonance amid the thriller's tension.

Track listing

The soundtrack of Koyla features six songs composed by with lyrics by . The was released by Tips Industries Ltd. in 1997 on cassette and CD formats.
No.TitleSingersLengthNotes
1"Dekha Tujhe Toh", 7:31Romantic duet picturized on and .
2"Ghoongte Mein Chanda"6:12Upbeat dance number picturized on a celebratory sequence.
3"Tanhai Tanhai", 5:37Melancholic duet reflecting the film's emotional themes.
4"Saanson Ki Mala", Kavita Krishnamurthy5:30Emotional ballad.
5"Bhang Ke Nashe"5:25Seductive solo number picturized on .
6"Badan Juda Hote", Preeti Singh4:48Romantic track.

Release and distribution

Theatrical release

Koyla was theatrically released in on 18 April 1997, distributed by . The film opened across 275 screens nationwide, marking a significant rollout for a major production at the time. Internationally, it received a theatrical release in the United States and in 1998, distributed by Video Sound.

Marketing

The marketing campaign for Koyla began with the release of its trailers in March 1997, which showcased the film's high-octane action sequences and romantic subplot. These trailers generated early buzz by teasing the mute protagonist's journey of vengeance, aligning with the film's core theme. Promotional efforts extended to major events in and , culminating in the music launch function. The cast's immense popularity, particularly Khan's status as Bollywood's leading romantic hero at the time, significantly amplified the pre-release hype. Tie-ups were forged with , the film's music label, for promotions. The campaign focused on targeting urban youth and family demographics through prime-time television spots on , 's national broadcaster, ensuring wide accessibility in an era before widespread cable penetration.

Box office

Performance in India

Koyla opened to a robust reception at the Indian , earning ₹1.06 nett on its first day of release across 275 screens. The film accumulated ₹5.52 nett in its opening week, marking one of the top first-week performances of 1997. This strong start was driven by Khan's popularity, particularly in key urban centers. The movie exhibited solid circuit-wise performance, with contributing ₹4 nett and the /UP circuit adding ₹3 nett, reflecting Khan's dedicated fanbase in these high-grossing territories. Subsequent weeks showed sustained collections: ₹3.40 in the second week, ₹2.38 in , and continued steadily thereafter, enabling a steady theatrical run amid summer competition from regional releases. In total, Koyla grossed ₹14.88 nett domestically against a budget of ₹12 . deemed it an "average" verdict, as it comfortably recovered costs and delivered modest profits through consistent earnings rather than blockbuster momentum. The soundtrack's popularity further aided overall commercial viability by boosting ancillary revenues.

Overseas earnings

Koyla earned approximately $600,000 in overseas markets, equivalent to about ₹2.14 at the time. This figure represented roughly 8% of the film's worldwide gross of ₹28.05 . The overseas performance was driven primarily by audiences in key diaspora hubs such as the , , Gulf countries, and , where Khan's rising stardom among non-resident Indians played a significant role. While the film did not achieve widespread distribution in non-traditional markets like , it found moderate success through screenings targeted at Indian communities and occasional dubbed versions in select regions.

Reception

Critical response

Koyla received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its action choreography and Khan's intense portrayal of the mute protagonist Shankar, who conveys emotion through physicality and expression rather than dialogue. The film's action sequences were highlighted as a strong point, showcasing Khan's commitment to performing stunts without a , including a daring climax involving fire. However, the melodramatic plot and predictable script drew significant criticism, as did the film's lengthy runtime of 166 minutes, which some felt dragged the narrative. The film was described as a bloated-budget flop despite its visual spectacle. Madhuri Dixit's dance sequences, particularly in songs like "Ghoonghte Mein Chanda," were lauded for their grace and energy, adding vibrancy to the proceedings. The role played by was seen as stereotypical, relying on familiar villain tropes without much nuance. Overall, the technical aspects, including by Kiran Deohans, were noted positively for capturing the film's rugged locales and dramatic visuals, though they could not salvage the script's shortcomings.

Audience reaction

Fans expressed strong appreciation for Khan's physical transformation and intense portrayal of the mute protagonist Shankar, highlighting his ability to convey emotions without dialogue for much of the film. The , composed by , further endeared the movie to audiences, with its melodic tracks becoming staples in fan discussions and playlists. The theme of resonated with viewers, prompting conversations about awareness and the marginalization of the voiceless in Indian society, where such representations were rare in mainstream cinema. While word-of-mouth was mixed owing to the film's , which deterred some family viewers, upbeat dance sequences like "Ghoonghat Mein Chand" achieved widespread popularity and were frequently featured in wedding performances across . Koyla proved a in the home video market, emerging as one of the first Bollywood films released on DVD and becoming a rental favorite that prolonged its cultural lifespan beyond theaters. Shah Rukh Khan fan clubs actively organized special screenings, building communal enthusiasm and replaying the film's action and romance elements for dedicated supporters. On , it maintains a 6.2/10 rating from over 10,500 user votes, reflecting a generally positive reception. This audience sentiment echoed brief critical nods to the lead performances.

Post-release

Home media

Following its theatrical release, Koyla was made available on various physical home media formats in the late and early , including , VCD, and DVD. The film marked a milestone as one of the first Bollywood titles to receive a DVD release, with Super Digital issuing it a couple of months after its cinema debut in April 1997. VCD editions, a popular format for Indian films during that era due to affordability and accessibility in regions without widespread DVD adoption, were also distributed widely. Eros Entertainment later produced a DVD version in 2007, featuring the film in format with audio and English subtitles for international audiences. This edition, along with earlier international releases, supported playback across multiple regions and emphasized the film's appeal beyond . No official Blu-ray or higher-resolution upgrades, such as 4K, have been announced to date. In the digital era, Koyla became accessible via online streaming platforms starting in the mid-2010s. As of November 2025, it is offered on services like , where the full film streams in with audio, as well as , , and in select markets. These platforms have sustained the movie's availability for global viewers, often with English subtitles to enhance accessibility.

Awards and nominations

At the 43rd held in 1998, received a nomination for Best Villain for his portrayal of the villain Raja Saab in Koyla. Similarly, at the 1st in 1998, Puri was nominated in the Best Villain – Male category for the same role, recognizing his intense performance as the tyrannical landlord. The film garnered at least two nominations across major award ceremonies, with no wins recorded, and the awards season proceeded without notable controversies.

References

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