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Karma

  • 1986
  • Not Rated
  • 3h 13m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, and Naseeruddin Shah in Karma (1986)
ActionAdventureDramaThriller

Jailer Vishwa trains three death row inmates to hunt down escaped terrorist Michael, who killed his grandchildren.Jailer Vishwa trains three death row inmates to hunt down escaped terrorist Michael, who killed his grandchildren.Jailer Vishwa trains three death row inmates to hunt down escaped terrorist Michael, who killed his grandchildren.

  • Director
    • Subhash Ghai
  • Writers
    • Sachin Bhowmick
    • Subhash Ghai
    • Kader Khan
  • Stars
    • Dilip Kumar
    • Nutan
    • Naseeruddin Shah
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    2.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Subhash Ghai
    • Writers
      • Sachin Bhowmick
      • Subhash Ghai
      • Kader Khan
    • Stars
      • Dilip Kumar
      • Nutan
      • Naseeruddin Shah
    • 18User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos184

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    Top cast33

    Edit
    Dilip Kumar
    Dilip Kumar
    • Vishwa Pratap Singh aka Rana (Dada Thakur)
    Nutan
    Nutan
    • Rukmini Vishwa Pratap Singh
    Naseeruddin Shah
    Naseeruddin Shah
    • Khairuddin Kisti
    Jackie Shroff
    Jackie Shroff
    • Baiju Thakur
    Anil Kapoor
    Anil Kapoor
    • Johnny…
    Anupam Kher
    Anupam Kher
    • Dr. Michael Dang
    Sridevi
    Sridevi
    • Radha
    Poonam Dhillon
    Poonam Dhillon
    • Tulsi
    Kaikala Satyanarayana
    Kaikala Satyanarayana
    • Tit Tam Tittu
    Tom Alter
    Tom Alter
    • Rexson
    Beena Banerjee
    Beena Banerjee
    • Sunil's wife
    Bindu Desai
    Bindu Desai
    • Tulsi's Chachi
    • (as Bindu)
    Dan Dhanoa
    Dan Dhanoa
    • Indian Prisoner in BSO jail
    C.S. Dubey
    C.S. Dubey
    Subhash Ghai
    Subhash Ghai
    • Pedestrian with bicyle on his shoulder
    Leena Gupta
    Jugal Hansraj
    Jugal Hansraj
    • Rana's youngest and the only surviving son (Child Artiste)
    Manik Irani
    Manik Irani
    • Director
      • Subhash Ghai
    • Writers
      • Sachin Bhowmick
      • Subhash Ghai
      • Kader Khan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews18

    7.22.5K
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    Featured reviews

    8Ibuk

    The best remake of Sholay

    There have been many remakes of Sholay,Karma,Farishtay, Mela,Chinagate,Army and many more I were so forgettable I can't even remember them at the moment. Out of all of these the remake that stands out is Subhash Ghai's Karma. The reason for that is that it is the only decent remake of Sholay. The plot involves Policeman(Dilip Kumar) whose family is gunned down by Dr Deng(Anupum Kher). Dilip Kumar enlists the help of the three heroes(Naseer Uddin Shah,Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff)to help kill Dr Deng. Whilst Dilip Kumar is no match for the great Sanjeev Kumar he does portray his role very well, it's a shame that the same cannot be said for Anupum Kher who I thought was rather bad. The songs,as per usual in a Ghai production were fantastic, in particular Dil diya hai jaan bhi jenge. Another thing I also liked was the unexpected death to one of the heroes(I won't say which one, find out for yourself). The only real complaint I have of Karma is that it is slightly uneven, throughout most of the movie there is hardly any action then in the last thirty minutes it becomes an absolute bloodbath. Karma was made in 1986 at a time where Subhash Ghai could do no wrong,Meri Jung,Hero,Karz, he even went on to make movies like Ram Lakhan and Saudgar. After that he seems to have lost his touch,Pardes I thought was average,Taal I think is rather overrated, Yaadein was trash,Kisna was a real bore. I have not mentioned his latest Yuvraaj because after Kisna I have completely given up on him ever making a decent movie again and therefore didn't see it but from the comments I have read about it I can only assume it is rather bad. Please Mr Ghai prove me wrong and give me a masterpiece with your next movie and reestablish your status as a genius of Bollywood movies.
    9tracklead

    Great movie minus the cheesy dialog and half-done stunts

    Subhash Ghai always manages to blend cheesy dialogs in what could otherwise be a solid movie.

    While I agree with other reviewer who commented on the limited stunts, there is a deep-rooted soul in this movie that is hard to ignore.

    The cast contributes well but so many famous actors would normally mean some roles will have that negative what-are-you-doing-here value-add to the overall story line.

    To my dear Western friends, I can only add that I hear your complaints when you compare this to a Hollywood action movie. But this is not a traditional action movie. There are strong emotional overtones in all Indian movies, without which the story will invariably lack any punch.

    And to the friend who is hesitant in watching Sholay, I can assure you it is one of, if not the, greatest Hindi action movies. You probably may want to talk to an Indian fan of Sholay to set the context for the story, as you may not be able to relate to the characters if you focus only on action.

    I would be very happy to tell you how Sholay is a unique movie from so many perspectives. But most important of all, it has some of the greatest performers from India cinema - Sanjeev Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra and Amjad Khan - what a first performance ! His character strikes fear and I would venture to say his role of brutal, take-no-prisoners mindset is a major departure from traditional Indian villains.

    To others who liked this movie, please do check out "Kaala Pathar", "Deewar".

    Good luck.
    9Li_85

    Great Entertaining movie

    Karma is a great entertaining movie from Subash Ghai. Subash has given us some great films like Khal Nayak, Karz and Hero. Karma tells the story of Dilip Kumar, a Prison Jailer who unfortunately has the responsibility of holding Terrorist Anupom Kher. Anupom Kher escapes and is responsible for the massacre of Dilips family. Dilip then decides to lead a secret mission, with the help of three death row convicts. The storyline is similar to many Bollywood Films like the Classic Sholay. Karma is still a good version packed with comedy and action. Dilip Kumar gives a great performance and is Bollywoods Best Actor before Amitabh took over in the early 70s. Jackie Shroff is Good Anil Kapoor provides most of the comedy in a superb performance. Naseerudin Shah is the silent Hero in a above average performance. Sridevi is my old time favourite actress in a good performance. Poonam has a small role. Anupom Kher had a fantastic opportunity to portray a Villain role as the iconic bollywood baddie Deng, and delivers a OK performance, personally I think he doesn't suit as a villain, I did not find him evil enough, not as menacing as amrish puri or Danny who would of been a better choice.
    6dinesh-yd

    Masala bollywood film with blend of Deshbhakti

    Base theme is mosley same as Sholay. Title song is good and repeated every time in the movie. Other songs feels boring and drags the fim. Most characters are always looks screaming. Mosley dramatic and excess use of patriotism. Dilip Kumar leave Impression with his acting. Length if the film is feels long.
    10jai_163

    Great film, Great story.....Totally great

    I first saw this film when I was 8. I loved it then and I love it even more now. The main aspect of this film you have to realise is that, whilst it may not be up to the usual standards of the sophisticated pallette belonging to your average everyday hollywood filmgoer, Karma was a huge leap in filmmaking within India. Its brilliance lies not within the meagre budget it was made with (meagre compared to Hollywood standards) but with the dedication applied by its cast, crew and of course its most prized asset...the director.

    Karma is a film that, admittedly, does not have the sophistication of a Lethal Weapon or Die Hard. You may think im making excuses for a poor film. On the contrary its with these obstacles in mind that Karma has become a GREAT film. The quality of acting talent within the film is awesome, including the great Dilip Kumar and Naseeruddin Shah. The story itself has won several awards and the most important part of the film is the directors style of filmaking which is so unique and stylised that, although this film has been made on a budget and some of the effects may leave a little to be desired, karma is beautiful to watch. The flowing camera movements never let you sit still, the music, though may sound the same, is emotive and used sparingly in the right places to create the perfect effect as a great wine does with your evening meal.

    Subhash Ghai is an awesome filmmaker as he never bows to the traditional method of filmmaking. He is an innovator in the art of Indian movie making who tackles the strongest issues and social weakness in India and indeed humanity itself. Be it the recruiment of children into crime and terrorism as displayed so eloquently by the three young protagonists, the strength of family values which can overcome even the hardened minds displayed by Dilip Kumar or just the need for unity in the country and the world against oppression. Karma is an ideological film, based on the idea that all humans are inherently good and that life itself creates the difference between an officer and a criminal. Therefore no matter which god you believe in, what country you are from, in life your actions define who you really are

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    Related interests

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    Action
    Still frame
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    Drama
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    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Subhash Ghai's original choice for the villain's role (Dr. Dang) was Amrish Puri, but the film-maker opted for Anupam Kher instead. Reason: "Amrish has been killed so many times on screen earlier that people wouldn't be interested in watching him get killed yet again," Ghai had revealed then.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Musafir (2004)
    • Soundtracks
      Karma (Introduction)
      Sung by Dilip Kumar

      Composed by Laxmikant Shantaram Kudalkar and Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma (as Laxmikant - Pyarelal)

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    FAQ15

    • How long is Karma?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 8, 1986 (India)
    • Country of origin
      • India
    • Official site
      • Watch Karma movie on ZEE5
    • Language
      • Hindi
    • Also known as
      • Карма
    • Production company
      • Mukta Arts
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 3h 13m(193 min)
    • Sound mix
      • 6-Track Stereo
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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