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Naaraaz
Naaraaz
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Naaraaz
नाराज
Film poster
Directed byMahesh Bhatt
Written byJay Dixit
Rahat Indori
Produced byMukesh Bhatt
StarringMithun Chakraborty
Pooja Bhatt
Atul Agnihotri
Sonali Bendre
Gulshan Grover
CinematographyPravin Bhatt
Edited byBharat Singh
Music byAnu Malik
Production
company
Release date
  • 19 August 1994 (1994-08-19)
Running time
125 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

Naaraaz is a 1994 Indian Hindi-language action drama film directed by Mahesh Bhatt, starring Mithun Chakraborty, Pooja Bhatt, Atul Agnihotri, Sonali Bendre and Gulshan Grover.

Plot

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Snippets

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This is Mithun's second film after Tadipaar with Mahesh Bhatt. The film's musical score is by Anu Malik and audio is available on Tips Music Films. All three of the main leads in the film, Mithun Chakraborty, Atul Agnihotri and Pooja Bhatt later appeared in another film, Gunehgar (1995).

Cast

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Soundtrack

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This album is composed by Anu Malik. Album has 7 songs sung by Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Mukul Agarwal, Alka Yagnik, Ila Arun & Alisha Chinai. Most popular & iconic song in album "Sambhala Hai Maine" sung by Kumar Sanu.

# Title Singer(s) Lyrics
1. "Sambhala Hai Maine" Kumar Sanu Qateel Shifai
2. "Tere Bin Main Kuch" Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan Rahat Indori
3. "Agar Aasman Tak Mera" Alka Yagnik, Mukul Agarwal Zameer Kazmi
4. "Tumhein Hum Kya Samajhte" Kumar Sanu Faaiz Anwar
5. "Kitni Haseen Hai Raat" Kumar Sanu Hasrat Jaipuri
6. "Aisa Tadpaya Mujhe Dil Beqarar Ne" Ila Arun Maya Govind
7. "Roza Roza Sayang Sayang Re" Alisha Chinai Dev Kohli

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Naaraaz is a 1994 Indian Hindi-language action drama film directed by and produced by . The movie stars , , , and in lead roles. It was released on 19 1994. The film explores themes of friendship, crime, and moral dilemmas, set against backdrops of rural and urban . Directed by , known for his socially conscious films, Naaraaz features a supporting cast including and . The film's soundtrack was composed by . Upon release, it garnered mixed reviews and holds an average rating of 4.7 out of 10 on .

Plot and themes

Plot summary

Deva, a poor villager residing with his widowed father in a drought-afflicted rural community, dedicates himself to securing access to clean for his people amid ongoing hardships. During a visit to the area, he encounters and forms an unlikely friendship with Ajay Pandit, a privileged urban youth from a wealthy family who arrives to document rural life and pledges to help resolve the crisis, bonding over shared ideals despite their stark socioeconomic differences. As their camaraderie strengthens, romantic entanglements emerge: Deva develops feelings for Sonia, a local woman portrayed by Pooja Bhatt, while Ajay falls for Sonali, played by Sonali Bendre. The narrative escalates when Ajay discovers that his uncle Jagdambar (Bharat Kapoor) is poisoning the village's water supply for personal gain, with assistance from the village priest, leading to tragic deaths. In retaliation, Ajay kills his uncle, becoming a fugitive and fleeing to Malaysia, where he becomes entangled in the criminal underworld under gangster Tauke (Gulshan Grover). Meanwhile, Deva marries Sonia and grapples with the choice between surrendering to authorities or perpetuating a life of crime.

Themes

The central theme of Naaraaz revolves around class divide, starkly contrasting the rural poverty of protagonist Deva, a villager struggling for basic resources, with the urban privilege of his friend Ajay, a wealthy aspiring writer. This disparity underscores exploitation by the powerful, exemplified by the control over water resources that deprives the village, serving as a metaphor for broader socioeconomic inequalities in rural India. The bond of forms another core motif, evolving from an unlikely alliance between Deva and Ajay despite their social differences. Their relationship emphasizes themes of sacrifice and moral dilemmas, as Ajay aids Deva's fight against before fleeing alone. The film offers pointed on in , critiquing how influential figures like local authorities and family members manipulate essential resources like water, resulting in tragedy for the underprivileged. It also addresses the impact of crime and flight on personal lives, reflecting 1990s Indian socio-economic challenges such as rural distress and abroad for survival. Romantic elements function as thematic devices, with love stories highlighting destiny and ; Deva's relationship with Sonia provides emotional grounding amid turmoil, reinforcing ideas of hope and partnership across divides. Subtle motifs enrich the narrative, with symbolizing life, , and the fight against deprivation, while action sequences depict resistance against .

Cast and characters

Principal cast

The principal cast of Naaraaz (1994) features veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty in the lead role of Deva Harihar, a determined rural protagonist fighting for his village's welfare. Chakraborty, a National Film Award winner known for his iconic dance moves and action-hero persona in over 350 films, brought his signature intensity to the character, marking one of his prolific mid-career projects. Atul Agnihotri portrays Ajay Pandit, Deva's affluent urban friend whose bond drives the narrative. This role came early in Agnihotri's acting career, following his debut in Sir (1993), where he played a student leader opposite Naseeruddin Shah. Pooja Bhatt plays Sonia, Deva's love interest and a key figure in his urban struggles. As the daughter of director , this film represented a notable father-daughter collaboration, building on her established roles in family productions like Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991). Sonali Bendre appears as Sonali, Ajay's romantic partner, in one of her initial Bollywood appearances shortly after her debut in Aag (1994). Bendre was selected for her fresh, model-turned-actress appeal, which suited the film's blend of action and romance. Gulshan Grover takes on the antagonist role of Tauke, a ruthless Malaysian crime lord exploiting vulnerabilities for profit. Grover, renowned for his menacing "Bad Man" villain archetype in action films, delivered a commanding performance as the corrupt businessman. Supporting actors include as Police Commissioner Pritam Singh and as Zafir Khan, Deva's ally in the fight against injustice. portrays Jagdambar, Ajay's uncle and a key antagonist involved in the village's water crisis.
ActorRoleDescription
Deva HariharRural hero seeking justice for his village
Ajay PanditWealthy friend and ally to Deva
SoniaDeva's love interest
SonaliAjay's love interest
TaukeCorrupt and crime boss

Character roles

Deva serves as the central , portrayed as an idealistic and action-oriented villager whose strong sense of propels him to confront local injustices, particularly the lack of clean water for his . His hot-headed yet dedicated personality drives him to act decisively against , evolving from a localized fighter protecting his village to an international avenger navigating moral dilemmas in abroad. Ajay Pandit functions as Deva's affluent urban counterpart and close friend, initially depicted as a somewhat naive dweller insulated from rural hardships, who undergoes personal growth by learning and resilience through their deepening bond and emerging romantic entanglements. His compassionate and supportive nature positions him as a bridge between social classes, ultimately committing to shared struggles for equity. The female leads provide emotional and narrative support to the male protagonists. Sonali, Ajay's partner, embodies a strong-willed character who challenges prevailing class norms by embracing rural realities and advocating for alongside her companion. In contrast, Sonia acts as Deva's innocent and devoted ally, offering unwavering support during his quest and symbolizing hope amid adversity. Jagdambar, the primary , represents ruthless exploitation and corporate-like greed through his control over vital resources, employing manipulative tactics such as and to maintain power over the vulnerable. His unyielding pursuit of creates unrelenting conflict, highlighting systemic . Supporting characters reinforce the protagonists' journeys: Deva's father acts as a anchor, instilling values of and community welfare that guide his son's decisions. Meanwhile, elements of Ajay's , including influential relatives, serve as obstacles embodying societal prejudices, complicating alliances and underscoring class divides. These relationships catalyze character growth, with Deva's transformation particularly shaped by and bonds of and that test and refine his resolve.

Production

Development

The development of Naaraaz followed Mahesh Bhatt's successful 1993 film Tadipaar, marking his second directorial collaboration with lead actor Mithun Chakraborty. Produced by Mukesh Bhatt through Vishesh Films—the production house founded by the Bhatt brothers in 1987 to blend commercial action-dramas with social commentary—the project aimed to capitalize on Mithun Chakraborty's popularity in mass-appeal cinema. The screenplay was written by Jay Dixit, with lyrics by Maya Govind, , and others, emphasizing a of intense strained by class and differences. Originally initiated in 1992 under the working title Kalyug, the project faced early challenges and was shelved before being revived with revisions to the story for enhanced commercial viability, leading to its announcement and rapid pre-production in early 1994 for an August release. Key cast selections, including debutant alongside , were finalized to support the film's emotional and action-oriented core.

Filming

for Naaraaz commenced in mid-1994 and extended over a period of two to three months. The production filmed scenes in and to match the narrative's rural and urban elements. Key shooting sequences included intricate action choreography for the fight scenes and romantic montages that highlighted the central relationships. The technical crew featured cinematographer , who employed 35mm film to achieve dramatic visual depth, and editor , responsible for assembling the footage. On-set anecdotes highlighted Mithun Chakraborty's dedication to performing his own stunts, adding realism to the action elements. Additionally, delivered emotionally charged scenes under the direction of her father, , contributing to the film's intimate family dynamics. Post-production involved initial dubbing and basic effects integration for the action sequences, with completion by July 1994.

Soundtrack

Composition

composed the soundtrack for Naaraaz, aligning with the melodic and dramatic trends dominating Bollywood in the 1990s. The seven tracks for the were composed after the script's finalization, with lyrics crafted by alongside contributions from other writers, placing a strong emphasis on infectious melodic hooks to ensure mass audience appeal. Among the highlights, "Sambhala Hai Maine" stands out as the film's signature romantic track, composed to accentuate the budding chemistry between the lead characters portrayed by and .

Track listing

The soundtrack album for Naaraaz, composed by , was released by Tips Music in 1994 and features seven songs with a total runtime of 47 minutes and 5 seconds. The album was initially distributed on cassette and later made available on , with songs picturized in key romantic, dramatic, and action sequences of the film. Singers include on multiple tracks, alongside , , , , and Mukul Agarwal, emphasizing male-female duets and solo performances. Lyrics are credited to various writers, primarily fitting the film's themes of romance and vengeance, with contributing to one track.
No.TitleSingersLyricistDuration
1"Sambhaala Hai Maine"7:03
2"Roza Roza Sayang Sayang Re"6:15
3"Tumhein Hum Kya Samajhte"6:48
4"Kitni Haseen Hai Raat"6:42
5"Agar Aasman Tak Mera", Mukul AgarwalZameer Kazmi6:58
6"Tere Bin Main Kuchh Bhi Nahin", 7:19
7"Aisa Tadpaya Mujhe Dil Beqarar"Maya Govind6:00

Release and reception

Release details

Naaraaz premiered theatrically in on 19 August 1994. Distributed worldwide by NH Studioz, the film opened on approximately 125 screens domestically. It received an 'A' certification from the (CBFC), indicating suitability for adult audiences, and has a runtime of 127 minutes. The marketing campaign featured posters highlighting the lead actors, including and , alongside trailers that showcased the action elements. Promotional efforts included the launch of the soundtrack album composed by , which was released on audio cassette prior to the film's debut. Following its theatrical run, Naaraaz became available on home media formats. In the late and early , it was released on VCD by Indus and on DVD by . By the , digital versions were made accessible on streaming platforms such as Prime Video.

Critical and commercial reception

Upon its release, Naaraaz garnered mixed responses from audiences, with praise directed toward Mithun Chakraborty's intense performance and the film's action elements, while the screenplay and direction by were often described as mediocre and poorly edited. The movie holds an average user rating of 4.7 out of 10 on , reflecting divided opinions on its storytelling despite appreciation for the lead actor's commitment. Audience interest was initially moderate, driven by Chakraborty's star power and the Bhatt family involvement, but it quickly diminished, leading to a of the film as an underrated collaboration between and in later years. Over time, it has developed a minor primarily for its , with the album receiving nostalgic acclaim in retrospective discussions. Commercially, Naaraaz was declared a flop, underperforming significantly at the . It opened with a first-day nett collection of ₹24 in and earned ₹68 over its first weekend. The total India nett gross reached approximately ₹2.15 , far below expectations for a mid-budget action drama of the era. Overseas earnings were minimal, contributing negligibly to the overall performance. Compared to contemporaries like , which collected ₹9.35 nett and achieved blockbuster status, Naaraaz ranked low among 1994 releases. In the long term, the film saw a digital re-release in the , becoming available on platforms such as and Movies, allowing renewed access for newer audiences.

References

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