Shatru

Shatru is a 1986 Indian action drama directed by Pramod Chakravorty featuring Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna along with Shabana Azmi and veteran actor Ashok Kumar. The movie is noteworthy for its potent storyline, riveting performances, and a musical score that firmly compliments the gripping atmosphere of the film.

In Shatru, Rajesh Khanna essays the role of an honest, upright policeman named Inspector Ashok. His life takes a turn when he is assigned the mission to unveil a dreaded underworld gang led by Gopal (played by Prem Chopra). His journey of unravelling this criminal nexus forms the crux of the story. His path is fraught with hardships and challenges, which he faces head-on, staying true to his professional obligations and moral ethics.

Ashok Kumar, an iconic figure in Indian cinema, ensures a compelling performance in a supporting role. His character's wisdom and compassion provide a moral compass to the storyline, helping the audience make sense of the grey areas in the narrative. His delivery of some of the film's critical moments stands as a testament to his veteran acting skills.

Another noteworthy performance comes from Shabana Azmi, essaying the role of Anju, the wife of Inspector Ashok. Her character reflects the crux of an ordinary Indian woman who stands strong with her husband and constantly motivates him in their shared journey of justice. Shabana Azmi’s nuanced performance brings depth and sensitivity to the character, helping it transcend beyond just being the protagonist's partner, providing emotional substance to the narrative.

The antagonist, Gopal, is portrayed by Prem Chopra with absolute conviction. His ruthless demeanor and relentlessness make him an intriguing character. The movie skillfully showcases the battle of wits and wills between the upright Inspector Ashok and the cunning underworld don Gopal, ensuring a cinematic experience filled with grit and suspense.

The film’s strength lies not just in the performances but also in its screenplay, which is a blend of classic Indian cinema style and a narrative that resonates with the 80s era of Bollywood. It manages to use these elements to narrate a story of grit, justice, and righteousness, symbolized through its characters and their journeys. Dialogue delivery is an essential part of this movie, where every line spoken seems to build on the film's plot and moves the viewers to the edge of their seats.

The musical score of Shatru, composed by R.D. Burman, is another element that makes this movie profound. The songs, despite being few in number, are soulful and create an emotional resonance that runs parallel with the narrative of the film.

The cinematography too is a unsung hero of the movie, effectively capturing the essence of the narrative. The way the cityscape is presented complements the underlying morose tone of the film, effectively transitioning between the hardcore action sequences and the emotionally gripping scenes.

Shatru is not just a face-off between good and evil, but a nuanced exploration of the societal dynamics and the often-blurred boundaries between right and wrong. The story's progression cleverly reveals that the real 'Shatru' (enemy) is not always the person standing opposite but the evil existing in society. Though largely a product of its time and cinematic sensibilities of the 80s era of Bollywood, it brings up universal themes of morality, ethics and justice, making it relevant even today.

In conclusion, Shatru is an engaging cinematic journey that makes the audience ponder the definitions of right, wrong, and justice. It stands as a demonstration of classic Indian storytelling and is worth watching for the performances, screenplay, and an intriguing narrative.