Khudgarz

Khudgarz is an engaging 1987 Bollywood drama written by Ravi Kapur and directed by Rakesh Roshan. This movie features incredible performances from industry legends Jeetendra, Shatrughan Sinha, Bhanupriya, along with renowned actors like Amrita Singh and Govinda. The title Khudgarz, which translates to "Selfish" in English, fittingly encapsulates the overarching theme of the movie, which depicts the repercussion of selfishness, and how it can lead to the dissolution of deep-rooted friendships and loving relationships.

As the movie kicks off, we are introduced to the protagonists, Amar (Jeetendra) and Bihari (Shatrughan Sinha). They share a tight bond that stems from their childhood, having grown up in poverty together. Their friendship is vibrant and lively in all the scenes, full of brotherly love that extends beyond their varied personalities. Amar is the gentle, kind-hearted, and empathetic character, while Bihari veers more towards the stern, ambitious, and tenacious side of the spectrum.

The dramatic setup achieves momentum when the friends' contrasting personalities start influencing their life choices. Amar inherits his father's wealth and becomes a successful businessman. Yet, despite his affluence, he remains humble and gracious towards people around him, consistently extending help to those in need.

On the other hand, Bihari, motivated by his ambition and lifted by his intelligence, also successfully climbs the ladder of wealth. However, his path diverges from Amar's as power ignites a selfish change in his character, culminating in his very transformation into the "Khudgarz" - the selfish one. He begins stepping on the toes of his close ones to achieve his selfish ends, setting the stage for consequential drama.

An important aspect of the movie that elevates it further is the romantic subplots. Jeetendra's doomed romantic affair with Amrita Singh's character and Sinha's love story with Bhanupriya bring a great deal of depth, complexity, and emotion to the story. These romantic elements are artfully woven into the narrative lineup to explore the characters' personal lives without distracting from the main plot.

Aside from the intricate plotline and character development, it's the performances delivered by some of the boldest and most respected names in Bollywood that make Khudgarz genuinely memorable. Jeetendra performs brilliantly as the innocent Amar. He embodies his character's humility and selflessness perfectly, offering a stark contrast to his friend-turned-foe, Bihari.

Shatrughan Sinha, meanwhile, excels in his portrayal of the ambitious and ruthless Bihari. He adeptly manages to convey his character's transformation from a loving friend to a man blinded by his ambitious pursuits. The brilliant performances by the leading ladies, Bhanupriya and Amrita Singh, add further depth to the narrative, as they portray characters who underline the film's theme and give it an emotional substance.

A definitive standout feature of Khudgarz is the music, composed by Rajesh Roshan generating a significant impact on the narrative with its gripping melodies and soulful lyrics. The noteworthy songs such as “Zindagi Ka Naam Dosti” and “Aap Ke Aa Jane Se” add considerable emotional richness to the film, expressing the sentiments and emotions of the characters beautifully.

Khudgarz manages to carve out a distinct place for itself within the landscape of Hindi cinema in the 1980s, and does so with a compelling narrative layered with captivating performances. The film showcases the disastrous impacts of being selfish and the value of relationships, imparting a strong message brought to life by a stellar cast and outstanding direction. Combine this with a top-rate script, a well-shot drama, wonderful music, and the striking on-screen chemistry among the actors, and you have a classic Hindi film that continues to enthrall audiences, making Khudgarz an indelible Bollywood classic worth revisiting.