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Yeshwant
Yeshwant
Yeshwant
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Yeshwant
Directed byAnil Matto
Written byAnil Mattoo
Hriday Lani
Story byShahab Shamsi
Produced byNarottam. V. Purohit
Vijay K. Ranglani
StarringNana Patekar
Madhoo
Atul Agnihotri
Mohan Joshi
Shafi Inamdar
CinematographyShankar Bardhan
Edited byKuldip Mehan
Music byAnand–Milind
Production
company
Shalimar International
Distributed byShalimar International
Release date
  • 7 February 1997 (1997-02-07)
LanguageHindi
Budget₹5.75 crore[1]
Box office₹19.10 crore[1]

Yeshwant is a 1997 Indian action crime film directed by Anil Mattoo, produced by Vijay K. Ranglani.[2] It stars Nana Patekar and Madhoo in pivotal roles.[3][4] Also, it was the final film of Shafi Inamdar, who died a year before the release. The film was a success on the box office.[1]

Plot

[edit]

Inspector Yeshwant Lohar (Nana Patekar) is a plainclothes police detective. His wife is Ragini (Madhoo) and Yeshwant wants her to concentrate on studies so that she may join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

Yeshwant goes undercover as a beggar to catch a drug dealer, Salim Shaikh (Mohan Joshi). Salim is sent to prison, and Lohar is ostensibly praised by his superior, Chopra. However, Chopra is corrupt, and in actuality, is Salim's pay. Chopra frames Lohar for murder and gets him sent to prison as well.

Meanwhile, Ragini is selected as an IAS, and joins as a Deputy Collector. She suspects Salim of framing her husband, and lets Salim know that she is watching him closely. Salim becomes alarmed and tries silence to Ragini. She rejects his bribe offers and escapes the thugs hired by Salim to intimidate her.

Salim plots to defame Ragini. She has been attacked, so he assigns John Frank (Atul Agnihotri), an old friend of Ragini, as her police guard. Salim then spreads allegations of a love affair between them, supported by faked pictures of Frank and Ragini in a compromising position. The minister, who is a womaniser, scolds her and also tries to hug her. Salim shows the pictures to Yeshwant, who avoids Ragini during conjugal visits, and releases them to the press, discrediting her with the public.

Yeshwant is released from prison, and confronts Ragini. She pleads with him to believe she is faithful. Yeshwant is enraged, and goes on a killing spree. He kills Salim's accomplices, and then kills Salim himself while he is engaged in an illegal drug deal. With Salim's crimes revealed, Yeshwant is vindicated.[5]

Cast

[edit]

Soundtrack

[edit]

One of the dialogs in the film "Ek Machchar" was released as a song with background female vocals. The dialogue's popularity contributed to the success of the film.

# Title Singer(s)
1 "Ambar Se Noor Liya" Kumar Sanu
2 "Badi Mushkil Mein" Suresh Wadkar, Sadhana Sargam
3 "Ek Machhar" Nana Patekar
4 "Jai Jai Jagdambe Kaali" Ravindra Sathe
5 "Saanware Aai Jaiyo" Ravindra Sathe
6 "Tum Samne Baitho" Kumar Sanu
7 "Kadak Laxmi Aali" Ravindra Sathe

Reviews

[edit]

Some viewers felt that the film was virtually a "one-man show", with Patekar's character stealing the show. Film critics also praised the performance of Madhoo as "strong" and "flawless". The film was well-reviewed as a rare and thought-provoking piece, sorely needed in an era of superficial commercialized movies.

Trivia

[edit]

This film includes the famous line "Ek machhar aadmi ko hijda bana deta hain" ("A single mosquito can emasculate a man"), spoken by Yeshwant. This line became a popular catchphrase and was widely used to promote the film.

This line was expanded into a musical number with background music and chorus, under the music direction of Anand and Milind Shrivastav.

This movie was the last movie of an actor Shafi Inamdar, which was released after his death due to a heart attack in 1996.

In one scene, Inspector Joshi (Shivaji Satam) interferes, trying to save some of Salim's henchmen from Yashwant. A scene in Shootout at Lokhandwala was inspired by this scene.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Yeshwant

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Yeshwant is a 1997 Indian Hindi-language action directed by Anil Mattoo and produced by Vijay K. Ranglani. The story centers on Yeshwant Lohar, an honest and maverick police inspector played by , who arrests a drug dealer during an undercover operation but is subsequently framed for by his corrupt superiors and imprisoned. Starring as his wife alongside supporting actors including and , the film explores themes of police integrity, betrayal, and vengeance following Lohar's release. Released on 7 February 1997, it received praise primarily for Patekar's intense portrayal of the protagonist, earning an IMDb user rating of 7.2 out of 10 based on over 1,300 votes, though it garnered no major awards. The , composed by Lalit Pandit, complemented the narrative's gritty tone.

Synopsis

Plot summary

Yeshwant Lohar, a maverick and incorruptible plainclothes police inspector in orphaned at birth, leads an undercover operation disguised as a beggar to infiltrate and arrest a notorious . His success draws the ire of his corrupt superior, who frames him for the murder of a key witness to safeguard the criminal syndicate, resulting in Yeshwant's wrongful conviction and imprisonment. During his incarceration, mounting family pressures test his to Ragini, an unemployed ; Yeshwant insists she prioritize her education and aspire to a high-ranking position rather than depend on him, fostering her amid emotional turmoil. Ragini complies, advancing professionally while covertly investigating leads to exonerate him, though isolation leads her into an affair. Upon release, Yeshwant uncovers Ragini's and the depth of the against him, igniting a quest for retribution; aided by a steadfast ally, he systematically dismantles the corrupt network, confronts his betrayers—including the framing supervisor—and delivers vigilante justice, culminating in partial personal reconciliation and vindication.

Production

Development and pre-production

Yeshwant was produced under the banner of Shalimar International by Vijay K. Ranglani and Narottam V. Purohit, with Anil Mattoo serving as director. The screenplay was co-written by Mattoo and Hriday Lani, based on a story by Shahab Shamsi, who drew from narratives of institutional to craft the central premise of an incorruptible officer confronting framed injustice. Pre-production planning emphasized a taut thriller structure highlighting individual moral fortitude amid bureaucratic malfeasance, aligning with mid-1990s Bollywood trends toward cop archetypes amid rising public discourse on integrity. Development timelines positioned principal work in 1996, preceding the film's February 7, 1997 release, as evidenced by the completed involvement of supporting actor prior to his death on March 13, 1996. No public records detail extensive revisions or alternative concepts, suggesting a streamlined path from script finalization to production readiness focused on action-oriented realism over procedural fidelity.

Casting

Nana Patekar was cast in the lead role of Inspector Lohar. was selected to portray Ragini Lohar, the wife of the protagonist. played the supporting role of Sub-Inspector John Frank. was cast as the antagonist Salim Shaikh. portrayed Advocate Vikram, with additional supporting actors including and Reeta Bedi. No public announcements indicated significant casting changes or dual roles among the principal actors.

Filming and technical aspects

Principal photography for Yeshwant was conducted primarily at Filmalaya Studios in , , , where studio facilities facilitated the filming of key action and dramatic sequences. The production wrapped in time for the film's theatrical release on February 7, 1997, yielding a final runtime of 144 minutes. Technical execution emphasized practical studio setups to depict urban police operations, with supporting realistic confrontations and pursuits integral to the 's crime thriller elements.

Music

Composition and recording

The for Yeshwant was composed by the brother duo Anand and Milind Shrivastav, who served as music directors for the film. Their work incorporated a variety of vocal styles, including playback singing by established artists such as , , and , alongside a distinctive spoken-sung sequence by lead actor in the track "Ek Machhar". This number transformed a into a rhythmic, chorus-backed piece, reflecting the film's intense crime-action . Recording took place in Mumbai studios typical for mid-1990s Bollywood productions, with the full album comprising seven tracks released ahead of the film's February 7, 1997, premiere. The compositions featured melodic ballads and semi-classical elements, such as thumri influences in "Saanware Aai Jaiyo" sung by Ravindra Sathe, to evoke emotional depth amid the thriller's themes of loyalty and conflict. Anand–Milind, drawing from their father's legacy in Hindi film scoring, emphasized layered orchestration with strings and percussion to heighten dramatic tension in the underscore.

Soundtrack details

The soundtrack of Yeshwant includes seven songs, with music by the duo Anand-Milind and lyrics by Sameer. It was released on February 7, 1997, coinciding with the film's theatrical debut.
No.TitleSinger(s)Duration
1Ambar Se Noor Liya5:22
2Badi Mushkil Mein, 5:36
3Ek Machhar5:56
4Jai Jai Jagdambe Kaali4:37
5Kadak Laxmi Aali Re4:17
6Saanware Aayi JaiyonRavindra Sathe4:36
7Tum Samne Baitho7:16
The total runtime is 37 minutes and 31 seconds. "Ek Machhar", performed by lead actor , appears in a sequence highlighting the character's exasperation amid personal turmoil. No verifiable chart performance data is available for the tracks.

Release and commercial performance

Marketing and distribution

Yeshwant was released theatrically in on February 7, , across 215 screens. The distribution was managed under the production banner Shalimar International, led by producer Vijay K. Ranglani. Promotional strategies focused on trailers screened in cinemas, which elicited a remarkable audience response in the weeks leading up to the premiere. Marketing materials, including posters, highlighted Nana Patekar's starring role as a maverick , emphasizing the film's narrative of confronting and delivering vigilante-style against systemic wrongdoing. This approach leveraged Patekar's reputation for portraying intense, principled characters in socially resonant stories to generate anticipation among viewers interested in action dramas with themes.

Box office results

Yeshwant collected ₹70 on its opening day, 7 February 1997, across 215 screens. The film earned approximately ₹2 over its first weekend, reflecting a solid initial audience response driven by lead actor Nana Patekar's star power in the action-drama genre. The movie's domestic nett gross totaled ₹10.48 , with a first-week collection of ₹3.59 . Produced on a of ₹5.75 , it achieved moderate profitability, recovering costs through theatrical runs primarily in Hindi-speaking regions, though overseas were limited at around ₹0.25 . By industry trackers, Yeshwant was classified as a semi-hit, as its nett collections fell short of blockbuster thresholds set by top 1997 releases like Border (₹39.44 crore nett) but exceeded breakeven multiples relative to its scale and screen count. This verdict accounts for steady weekday holds post-weekend, contributing to sustained regional performance without widespread multiplex expansion available at the time.

Reception

Critical reviews

Critics have lauded Nana Patekar's portrayal of the titular Yeshwant Rao, describing it as intensely compelling and carrying the film's narrative through its most demanding sequences. His delivery of blunt, profanity-laced dialogues was highlighted as authentically suiting the character's fearless stance against , elevating the depiction of an upright cop battling systemic rot. Action elements, including confrontations with drug lords and internal betrayals, were noted for their raw energy, though often credited to Patekar's physical commitment rather than directorial flair. Conversely, reviewers pointed to pacing inconsistencies and melodramatic excesses in the second half, where the plot devolves into familiar tropes of vengeful redemption without sufficient nuance. The reliance on stereotypical corrupt officials and abrupt shifts was criticized as undermining the story's potential grit, rendering parts formulaic despite the strong of institutional . Unnecessary insertions, such as unconventional tracks like "Ek Machhar," were seen as disrupting tension without advancing character or theme. Aggregate user ratings on platforms reflect divided professional echoes, with scoring 7.2 out of 10 based on over 1,300 evaluations, though formal critic consensus remains sparse for this release. Retrospective analyses emphasize the film's hard-hitting societal critique on police-politics-crime intersections but fault its over-reliance on Patekar's persona, making the overall execution feel uneven.

Audience response

The film experienced strong initial audience turnout upon its release on February 7, 1997, grossing ₹70 lakh on its across 215 screens, largely attributable to the mass appeal of lead actor Nana Patekar's portrayal of a maverick cop. This opening momentum, reaching ₹2 over the first weekend, reflected enthusiasm in urban and mass markets for action-oriented narratives featuring righteous protagonists . Word-of-mouth played a key role in sustaining interest, propelling the film to semi-hit status with collections that recovered its budget and generated profits, indicating resonance among working-class and rural viewers who valued its unyielding depiction of personal integrity amid systemic graft. Audience feedback highlighted appreciation for the central theme of individual agency prevailing over institutional corruption, with users praising the narrative's gripping style and the protagonist's refusal to compromise principles. Viewer sentiment, as captured in aggregated ratings, averaged 7.2 out of 10 from over 1,300 users, underscoring broad approval for the film's exploration of a lone officer's battle against entrenched wrongdoing, though some expressed mixed views on the feasibility of such unchecked in real-world policing. This reception aligned with 1990s trends favoring empowered, anti-establishment heroes in , fostering discussions on ethical boundaries of extralegal justice without widespread backlash.

Accolades

The film Yeshwant garnered minimal formal accolades, with no wins at major national or industry ceremonies such as the National Film Awards or . received a nomination at the for Best Performance by an in a Negative for his depiction of the corrupt commissioner Shripati Lohar. Nana Patekar's lead performance as the titular maverick police officer, while critically noted for its intensity, did not secure individual acting nominations at prestigious awards bodies during that cycle.

Legacy and analysis

Cultural impact

Yeshwant exemplifies the prevalent tropes of the 1990s Bollywood action genre, particularly the archetype of the uncompromising, vengeful police officer confronting systemic corruption and personal betrayal. The film's narrative structure, centered on protagonist Yeshwant Lohar's solitary battle against framed injustice and criminal networks, mirrors recurring motifs in era-specific cop dramas emphasizing individual moral absolutism over institutional compromise. This reinforcement of revenge-driven heroism contributed to the genre's formulaic appeal during a period when such stories dominated commercial Hindi cinema outputs. No sequels, remakes, or direct adaptations of Yeshwant have been produced in subsequent years, distinguishing it from more franchised action titles. Its influence appears niche rather than transformative, with similar thematic films like (1998) and (2005) sharing plot parallels but without documented derivation from Yeshwant. Enduring popularity manifests through online availability and user-driven retrospectives, sustaining a modest among fans of Nana Patekar's intense portrayals, though lacking empirical markers such as widespread merchandise or referenced viewership surges in re-runs.

Thematic elements and controversies

The film portrays systemic corruption within and , depicting the protagonist's shift toward personal as a response to institutional failures, emphasizing direct causal interventions over protracted legal processes. Yeshwant's unyielding approach underscores a preference for individual and retribution, reflecting distrust in bureaucratic efficacy amid entrenched graft. The wife's illustrates resilience and agency in supporting the protagonist's crusade, presented as a to in a male-centric conflict, though the film's raw, confrontational —such as the cop's profane outbursts—lends a realism to interpersonal dynamics. While the depiction of extra-judicial measures has drawn broader scrutiny in Bollywood for potentially romanticizing law-breaking by authority figures, specific criticisms targeting Yeshwant remain sparse, with contemporary reviews praising its unflinching cop over masala tropes. No major production controversies or actor-related debates emerged during its 1997 release, distinguishing it as a deliberate departure from commercial excess.

References

  1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-details/yeshwant/movieshow/61326781.cms
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250122/
  3. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/yeshwant
  4. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250122/plotsummary/
  5. https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2705
  6. https://letterboxd.com/film/yeshwant/
  7. https://www.moviecrow.com/movie/2887/yeshwant/story
  8. https://www.tvwish.com/Program/Info/Yeshwant/483639
  9. https://www.sacnilk.com/news/Yeshwant_Box_Office_Collection_Day_Wise_Worldwide
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250122/fullcredits/
  11. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/370645-yeshwant/cast
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250122/locations/
  13. https://www.amazon.com/Yeshwant-Soundtrack-Ravindra-others-Patekar/dp/B01NCRN33F
  14. https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/yeshwant/IsgiHH-2k1o_
  15. https://music.apple.com/in/album/yeshwant-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1529438175
  16. https://www.hindigeetmala.net/movie/yeshwant.htm
  17. https://mcai.in/user-info/Milind_Shrivastava
  18. https://www.lyricsbogie.com/movies/yeshwant/
  19. https://myswar.co/album/yeshwant-1997
  20. https://music.apple.com/ca/album/yeshwant-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1529438175
  21. https://open.spotify.com/album/1FAr797qB7M9IaRMkqabJA
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klRUDlsSrsg
  23. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/yeshwant/cast-and-crew
  24. https://filminformation.com/featured/flashback-30-january-2022-from-our-issue-dated-1st-february-1997/
  25. https://www.bollyviewsyt.com/2020/08/yeshwant-1997-movie-lifetime-worldwide-collection.html
  26. https://www.facebook.com/FilmyGupshupLovers/posts/28-years-of-yeshwant-1997release_date-07th-february-1997-budget-575-cr-estimatew/122214331622196959/
  27. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/yeshwant/box-office/
  28. https://factualreviews.wordpress.com/2022/08/26/yeshwant-1997/
  29. https://letterboxd.com/ykbitis24/film/yeshwant/
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250122/reviews/
  31. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-awards/national-awards-winners/1997/108
  32. https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/celebrity/nana-patekar/awards/nominated/
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250122/awards/
  34. https://www.imdb.com/list/ls074030761/
  35. https://bestsimilar.com/movies/50769-yeshwant
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q3x7QXa0cE
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