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IMDbPro

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
  • Photos185

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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

    9TriNitroToluene

    existenz-6

    Discount comments by existenz-6: He merely wanted to see an exact replication of Hollywood cinema, and he's disappointed the *Indian* film had any roots other than his own. If you're used to conventional western cinema, and that's all you want to see, you simply aren't going to like this movie! If you fall into that category, and yet (for some inexplicable reason) you still want to see a bollywood flick you're going to want to check out the more recent ones (something by Ram Gopal Varma, perhaps). They're much more "westernized". That said, Karma is one of the greats of the 80's. It has comedy, action, tragedy, and excellent acting. Dillip Kumar, as usual, plays his role well. A. Kheir steals the show as Dr. Deng, there was something so morbidly dark about the look on his face when Dillip Kumar's character slaps him, he suddenly transforms from a comical amusement into a character to be taken dead seriously. He remains so for the rest of the movie. As cinema in the 80s was, there are a few shoddy moments in transference from humor to tragedy. If you can deal with that roller-coaster, and the fact that bollywood flicks don't pack budgets comparable to Hollywood, you may want to give this movie a peak!
    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.
    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.
    9sauravjoshi85

    A typical entertaining masala film

    Karma is a Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Subhash Ghai. The film stars Late Dilip Kumar, Late Nutan, Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Late Sridevi, Poonam Dhillon, Late Satyanarayana Kaikala, Late Dara Singh, Shakti Kapoor and Anupam Kher.

    A terrorist kills a jailer's family to avenge his insult. The jailer recruits three death-row prisoners to assist him to get the revenge from the terrorist.

    The film loosely inspired from the Indian classic 'Do Aankhen Barah Haath' is a treat to watch. This film can rightly be called as typical masala film with lots of action, decent music and a some comedy. The film will entertain you completely and despite of its long length which is close to 3 hours you'll not find disconnected from the film.

    The plot of the film is good and the execution is superb, the screenplay of the film is gripping and will keep you hooked to the scene throughout.

    Acting is superb and everyone was terrific in their respective performances be it Dilip Sahab, Nutan, Anil, Jackie, Nasir, Poonam Dhillon or Sridevi but the most impressive of them all was Anupam Kher who was very impressive in his negative role and almost steals the show.

    The music of the film is decent and the title song is still very much popular. One of the greatest film of Indian cinema and a must watch.

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    Related interests

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    Action
    Still frame
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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

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    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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