Nagina (1986 film)
Nagina is 1986 Indian fantasy film, produced and directed by Harmesh Malhotra, with a screenplay written by Ravi Kapoor and story by Jagmohan Kapoor. The film stars Sridevi as Rajni, a Nāginī who marries a civilian to avenge the death of her spouse at the hands of an evil saint. It also stars Rishi Kapoor, Komal Mahuvakar, Amrish Puri, Sushma Seth and Prem Chopra.
Nagina was theatrically released on November 28 1986. Upon its release, it was a widespread success grossing over ₹13 crore at the box office, becoming the second-highest-grossing Indian film of 1986. The success of the film proved to be a major watershed moment in Indian Cinema, as the film, despite being a woman-centric movie became a massive commercial success. A sequel to the film was released; , but failed commercially. Today, Nagina is considered one of Sridevi's finest performances.
Plot
Rajiv comes from a wealthy land-owning family, and lives in a palatial home with his mother, who would like him to marry a beautiful young woman named Vijaya Singh, the only daughter of Thakur Ajay Singh. Rajiv, however, is in love with Rajni, who is an orphan without connections. When Rajiv informs his mother of his intent to marry Rajni, she refuses to give her blessings, but relents after a favourable meeting with Rajni. The marriage is arranged and they enjoy their marriage – until the arrival of Bhairo Nath, a sadhu capable of controlling snakes. He informs Rajiv's mother that Rajni is a shape-shifting venomous snake who has married Rajiv to avenge the death of her spouse during Rajiv's childhood. To remove her from the household, Bhairo and his disciples do a snake dance song, forcing Rajni to dance for them as she is a snake. However, when Rajiv comes into the house, Rajni escapes, only to be caught by Bhairo, who reveals his plot, to control the world with the Mani, a sacred jewel that only Rajni knows where is hidden. However, Rajiv comes and engages in a fight with Bhairo. Bhairo is bitten by two snakes and dies. Rajiv and Rajni live happily ever after.Reception
According to Taran Adarsh, Nagina turned out to be the biggest blockbuster of the year, with Box Office India stating that Sridevi remained "the undisputed No.1". The movie was appreciated for its screenplay, dialogues and direction. Named one of the best snake fantasy films by Yahoo, Times of India ranked Nagina as one of the 'Top 10 Snake Films of Hindi Cinema'. Sridevi's climax dance number "Main Teri Dushman" also remains one of the best snake dances in Bollywood with Desi Hits calling it "one of Sridevi's most iconic dance numbers... that still gives fans goose bumps" and iDiva describing it as "the stuff of movie legends".In 2013, Sridevi was given the Filmfare Special Award for her performances in Nagina as well as Mr. India to recognise her work at that time.
Cast
- Sridevi as Rajni/Nagin
- Rishi Kapoor as Rajiv
- Komal Mahuvakar as Vijaya Singh
- Amrish Puri as Bhairon Nath
- Sushma Seth as Rajiv's mother
- Prem Chopra as Thakur Ajay Singh
- Guddi Maruti as Banumati
Sequel
Soundtrack
The film's music was provided by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi, and had classic songs like, Main Teri Dushman originally sung by Lata Mangeshkar.| # | Title | Singer |
| 1 | "Tu Ne Bechain Itna Ziada Kiya" | Mohammed Aziz, Anuradha Paudwal |
| 2 | "Main Teri Dushman, Dushman Tu Mera" | Lata Mangeshkar |
| 3 | "Balma Tum Balma Ho Mere Khali Naam Ke" | Kavita Krishnamurthy |
| 4 | "Bhooli Bisri Ek Kahani" | Anuradha Paudwal |
| 5 | "Aaj Kal Yaad Kuch Aur Rehta Nahin" | Mohammed Aziz |