Damini – Lightning
Encyclopedia
Damini - Lightning is a 1993
Hindi film directed by Rajkumar Santoshi
starring Rishi Kapoor
, Meenakshi Sheshadri, Sunny Deol
, Amrish Puri
, Tinu Anand and Paresh Rawal
in lead roles. The story is of how a woman fights against society for justice.
Besides being critically acclaimed, the film became the sixth highest grossing of the year and was declared a 'hit' at the Indian box office
. Damini - Lightning is also memorable for Sunny Deol
's role as an advocate and gained him a Filmfare
as well as National Film Award for Best Supporting actor for 1993. The movie strengthened his Bollywood he-man image. The film was a milestone in the careers of Sunny Deol and Amrish Puri who gave some great hits like Ghayal
, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha
, Ghatak: Lethal
together. Aamir Khan
acted in a very special appearance in the stage show dance song. Damini - Lightning was remade into Oriya as Nari Nuhne Tu Narayani starring Sidharth and Rachana. It was remade into Tamil as Priyanka starring Revathi as the titular character.
), a rich businessman falls in love at first sight with Damini(Meenakshi Sheshadri). The duo get married & Damini moves into his palatial bungalow. One day, Damini witnesses Shekhar's younger brother, Rakesh, molesting the maid-servant and rushes to tell Shekhar. Shekhar rushes over to prevent the sexual assault but is too late. The Gupta family conspire to cover up this shameful incident. But Damini decides to inform the police. The matter is taken up in court, and Damini is asked to testify. Damini is portrayed as a mentally unstable person & confined in a mental institution for two weeks by a judicial order. Unable to bear the mental torture in the institution, she escapes and runs into a down-and-out alcoholic lawyer by the name of Govind (Sunny Deol
), who has the rape case re-opened. The maid-servant dies in hospital, and the police write her death off as a suicide. But Govind is able to prove otherwise. It is upto Damini, Govind & Shekhar to provide justice to the victimized girl.
) is the elder son of Mr. & Mrs. Gupta(Kulbhushan Kharbanda
& Rohini Hattangadi
). He sees Damini(Meenakshi Sheshadri), a poor girl who is an upcoming dancer. The duo fall in love. The couple get married without a hitch. It is only when Damini enters the Gupta household that the problems start. She learns that her mother-in-law wanted Shekhar to get married to the daughter of Mr.Bajaj(Paresh Rawal
), a wealthy acquaintance of Bajaj family. Her world turns topsy turvy when her brother-in-law rapes a servants teenage daughter, Mamta. The girl is later said to be missing. Damini decides to testify, much against her in-laws wishes. Even Shekhar seems to be reluctant to aid her.
The case stands in court, but Indrajit Chaddha(Amrish Puri
), a corrupt lawyer fighting for Gupta's, embarasses Damini by asking her uncomfortable questions in front of the court. When Damini's own father Chandrakant(Anjan Srivastav
) gives a false testimony that she had mental problems, Damini is declared insane & sent to an lunatic asylum. Damini's confidence is crippled, but she soon recovers. Soon, Damini stages an escape from the asylum. Govind(Sunny Deol
), an ex-lawyer, gives her shelter. It is revealed that Govind's girlfriend herself was a victim. When Govind failed to give her justice, he left his practice & took to drinking.
On Damini's insistence, he reluctantly agrees to see into the case. When Chaddha meets Govind personally, Govind decides to come out of his retirement. The case is reopened. However, this time, Govind turns the tables & methodically thwarts all the pressure tactics of the villains. However, things again take a turn for worse, when Mamta commits suicide, now disgraced as a rape victim(although it is hinted that the police themselves murdered her). Without Mamta's testimony, the case seems lost. However, Bajaj decides to kill Shekhar as he might buckle under the pressure. He also sends his goons to kill Damini. Damini escapes & counter-attacks the goons. Here, the judge is tired of waiting & is about to give a decision in Gupta's favour. Damini enters just in time to declare that she wants to withdraw the case.
Gopal tries to talk her out, but she vents her anger on Chaddha & all others for the things that happened. Shekhar, who is thoroughly ashamed of himself, steps in & testifies. He tells the truth & asks Damini's pardon. On basis of his testimony, the villains are arrested while Shekhar is given a lighter sentence. Govind leaves happily, while Mamta's father is seen thanking him & Damini.
Bollywood films of 1993
A list of films produced by the Bollywood film industry based in Mumbai in 1993.-Highest grossing:The top ten grossing films at the Indian Box Office in 1993.-1993:-External links:* at the Internet Movie Database...
Hindi film directed by Rajkumar Santoshi
Rajkumar Santoshi
Rajkumar Santoshi is a Filmfare award-winning Indian film director and producer of Hindi films. He is the son of producer-director P.L. Santoshi.-Career:...
starring Rishi Kapoor
Rishi Kapoor
Rishi Kapoor is an Indian Bollywood actor, film producer and director.-Early life:Born in Chembur Mumbai, Kapoor is the second son of film director and star Raj Kapoor. He did his schooling with his brothers at Campion School,Mumbai. His brothers are well-known actors: Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv...
, Meenakshi Sheshadri, Sunny Deol
Sunny Deol
Sunny Deol often credited as "Action King of Bollywood" is an Indian film actor, producer and director. Deol was born to Bollywood actor Dharmendra. He has won two National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards. He went to England to study acting...
, Amrish Puri
Amrish Puri
Amrish Singh Puri , ; 22 June 1932 – 12 January 2005 was an iconic theater and film actor from India, who was a key player in the Indian theater movement that picked up steam in the 1960s. He worked with notable playwrights of the time, such as Satyadev Dubey and Girish Karnad...
, Tinu Anand and Paresh Rawal
Paresh Rawal
Paresh Rawal is an Indian actor of Gujarati background.Making his film debut in 1984, he mainly played supporting and villain roles throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Since 2000 he has mostly played comic roles.- Family and early life :...
in lead roles. The story is of how a woman fights against society for justice.
Besides being critically acclaimed, the film became the sixth highest grossing of the year and was declared a 'hit' at the Indian box office
Box office
A box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through an unblocked hole through a wall or window, or at a wicket....
. Damini - Lightning is also memorable for Sunny Deol
Sunny Deol
Sunny Deol often credited as "Action King of Bollywood" is an Indian film actor, producer and director. Deol was born to Bollywood actor Dharmendra. He has won two National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards. He went to England to study acting...
's role as an advocate and gained him a Filmfare
Filmfare
Filmfare is an English-language tabloid-sized magazine about Indian cinema. Published by The Times Group, India's largest media services conglomerate, in Mumbai , it highlights the doings of the Bollywood film scene...
as well as National Film Award for Best Supporting actor for 1993. The movie strengthened his Bollywood he-man image. The film was a milestone in the careers of Sunny Deol and Amrish Puri who gave some great hits like Ghayal
Ghayal (1990 film)
Ghayal is a 1990 Indian Hindi film starring Sunny Deol. The film was produced by Dharmendra and directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. The film won seven Filmfare Awards, including the Best Movie award...
, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha
Gadar: Ek Prem Katha
The music is composed by Uttam Singh. The song listing is as follows:- Awards :Winner:*Filmfare Best Action Award - Tinnu Verma*Filmfare Special Performance Award - Amisha Patel*Sansui Best Actress Award - Amisha Patel...
, Ghatak: Lethal
Ghatak: Lethal
Ghatak: Lethal is a 1996 Bollywood action film directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. The film stars Sunny Deol, Meenakshi Sheshadri and Danny Denzongpa in pivotal roles. This was Meenakshi Sheshadari's last movie till date.-Plot:...
together. Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan
Aamir Hussain Khan is an Indian film actor, director and producer who has established himself as one of the leading actors of Hindi cinema....
acted in a very special appearance in the stage show dance song. Damini - Lightning was remade into Oriya as Nari Nuhne Tu Narayani starring Sidharth and Rachana. It was remade into Tamil as Priyanka starring Revathi as the titular character.
Synopsis
Shekhar Gupta (Rishi KapoorRishi Kapoor
Rishi Kapoor is an Indian Bollywood actor, film producer and director.-Early life:Born in Chembur Mumbai, Kapoor is the second son of film director and star Raj Kapoor. He did his schooling with his brothers at Campion School,Mumbai. His brothers are well-known actors: Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv...
), a rich businessman falls in love at first sight with Damini(Meenakshi Sheshadri). The duo get married & Damini moves into his palatial bungalow. One day, Damini witnesses Shekhar's younger brother, Rakesh, molesting the maid-servant and rushes to tell Shekhar. Shekhar rushes over to prevent the sexual assault but is too late. The Gupta family conspire to cover up this shameful incident. But Damini decides to inform the police. The matter is taken up in court, and Damini is asked to testify. Damini is portrayed as a mentally unstable person & confined in a mental institution for two weeks by a judicial order. Unable to bear the mental torture in the institution, she escapes and runs into a down-and-out alcoholic lawyer by the name of Govind (Sunny Deol
Sunny Deol
Sunny Deol often credited as "Action King of Bollywood" is an Indian film actor, producer and director. Deol was born to Bollywood actor Dharmendra. He has won two National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards. He went to England to study acting...
), who has the rape case re-opened. The maid-servant dies in hospital, and the police write her death off as a suicide. But Govind is able to prove otherwise. It is upto Damini, Govind & Shekhar to provide justice to the victimized girl.
Plot
Shekhar Gupta(Rishi KapoorRishi Kapoor
Rishi Kapoor is an Indian Bollywood actor, film producer and director.-Early life:Born in Chembur Mumbai, Kapoor is the second son of film director and star Raj Kapoor. He did his schooling with his brothers at Campion School,Mumbai. His brothers are well-known actors: Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv...
) is the elder son of Mr. & Mrs. Gupta(Kulbhushan Kharbanda
Kulbhushan Kharbanda
Kulbhushan Kharbanda is an Indian actor, who worked in Hindi and Punjabi films, and is known as character Shakaal in Shaan inspired by the character of Blofeld from James Bond movies...
& Rohini Hattangadi
Rohini Hattangadi
Rohini Hattangadi is an Indian actress of film, theatre and television. She has won two Filmfare Awards, one National Film Award, and is the only Indian actress to win the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as Kasturba Gandhi in Gandhi...
). He sees Damini(Meenakshi Sheshadri), a poor girl who is an upcoming dancer. The duo fall in love. The couple get married without a hitch. It is only when Damini enters the Gupta household that the problems start. She learns that her mother-in-law wanted Shekhar to get married to the daughter of Mr.Bajaj(Paresh Rawal
Paresh Rawal
Paresh Rawal is an Indian actor of Gujarati background.Making his film debut in 1984, he mainly played supporting and villain roles throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Since 2000 he has mostly played comic roles.- Family and early life :...
), a wealthy acquaintance of Bajaj family. Her world turns topsy turvy when her brother-in-law rapes a servants teenage daughter, Mamta. The girl is later said to be missing. Damini decides to testify, much against her in-laws wishes. Even Shekhar seems to be reluctant to aid her.
The case stands in court, but Indrajit Chaddha(Amrish Puri
Amrish Puri
Amrish Singh Puri , ; 22 June 1932 – 12 January 2005 was an iconic theater and film actor from India, who was a key player in the Indian theater movement that picked up steam in the 1960s. He worked with notable playwrights of the time, such as Satyadev Dubey and Girish Karnad...
), a corrupt lawyer fighting for Gupta's, embarasses Damini by asking her uncomfortable questions in front of the court. When Damini's own father Chandrakant(Anjan Srivastav
Anjan Srivastav
Anjan Srivatsav is an Indian film, television and stage actor, associated with Indian People's Theatre Association in Mumbai of which he remained Vice-President for several years...
) gives a false testimony that she had mental problems, Damini is declared insane & sent to an lunatic asylum. Damini's confidence is crippled, but she soon recovers. Soon, Damini stages an escape from the asylum. Govind(Sunny Deol
Sunny Deol
Sunny Deol often credited as "Action King of Bollywood" is an Indian film actor, producer and director. Deol was born to Bollywood actor Dharmendra. He has won two National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards. He went to England to study acting...
), an ex-lawyer, gives her shelter. It is revealed that Govind's girlfriend herself was a victim. When Govind failed to give her justice, he left his practice & took to drinking.
On Damini's insistence, he reluctantly agrees to see into the case. When Chaddha meets Govind personally, Govind decides to come out of his retirement. The case is reopened. However, this time, Govind turns the tables & methodically thwarts all the pressure tactics of the villains. However, things again take a turn for worse, when Mamta commits suicide, now disgraced as a rape victim(although it is hinted that the police themselves murdered her). Without Mamta's testimony, the case seems lost. However, Bajaj decides to kill Shekhar as he might buckle under the pressure. He also sends his goons to kill Damini. Damini escapes & counter-attacks the goons. Here, the judge is tired of waiting & is about to give a decision in Gupta's favour. Damini enters just in time to declare that she wants to withdraw the case.
Gopal tries to talk her out, but she vents her anger on Chaddha & all others for the things that happened. Shekhar, who is thoroughly ashamed of himself, steps in & testifies. He tells the truth & asks Damini's pardon. On basis of his testimony, the villains are arrested while Shekhar is given a lighter sentence. Govind leaves happily, while Mamta's father is seen thanking him & Damini.
Cast
- Meenakshi Sheshadri - Damini Gupta
- Rishi KapoorRishi KapoorRishi Kapoor is an Indian Bollywood actor, film producer and director.-Early life:Born in Chembur Mumbai, Kapoor is the second son of film director and star Raj Kapoor. He did his schooling with his brothers at Campion School,Mumbai. His brothers are well-known actors: Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv...
- Shekhar Gupta - Sunny DeolSunny DeolSunny Deol often credited as "Action King of Bollywood" is an Indian film actor, producer and director. Deol was born to Bollywood actor Dharmendra. He has won two National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards. He went to England to study acting...
- Govind - Amrish PuriAmrish PuriAmrish Singh Puri , ; 22 June 1932 – 12 January 2005 was an iconic theater and film actor from India, who was a key player in the Indian theater movement that picked up steam in the 1960s. He worked with notable playwrights of the time, such as Satyadev Dubey and Girish Karnad...
- Barrister Indrajit Chaddha - Anjan SrivastavAnjan SrivastavAnjan Srivatsav is an Indian film, television and stage actor, associated with Indian People's Theatre Association in Mumbai of which he remained Vice-President for several years...
- Chandrakant (Damini's dad) - Paresh RawalParesh RawalParesh Rawal is an Indian actor of Gujarati background.Making his film debut in 1984, he mainly played supporting and villain roles throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Since 2000 he has mostly played comic roles.- Family and early life :...
- Mr. Bajaj - Kulbhushan KharbandaKulbhushan KharbandaKulbhushan Kharbanda is an Indian actor, who worked in Hindi and Punjabi films, and is known as character Shakaal in Shaan inspired by the character of Blofeld from James Bond movies...
- Mr. Gupta - Rohini HattangadiRohini HattangadiRohini Hattangadi is an Indian actress of film, theatre and television. She has won two Filmfare Awards, one National Film Award, and is the only Indian actress to win the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as Kasturba Gandhi in Gandhi...
- Mrs. Gupta - Vijayendra GhatgeVijayendra GhatgeVijayendra Ghatge is an actor from Indian TV and movie industry. He has acted in Buniyaad among other serials and several of movies such as Prem Rog and Devdas. He is descendant of Holkars family,the ex-royal family of Indore thru his mother Sita Raje Ghatge. He is the father of Chak De India...
- Inspector Kadam - K.K. Raina - Shekhar's friend
- Tinnu AnandTinnu AnandTinnu Anand is an Indian actor and director from Bollywood, who is most known as the director of Amitabh Bachchan's movies including, Kaalia , Shahenshah , Main Azaad Hoon and Major Saab .He is the son of veteran writer Inder Raj Anand and uncle of director Siddharth Anand.Anand recently...
- Shekhar's uncle
Soundtrack
| # | Title | Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Jab Se Tumhein Dekha Sanam" | Kumar Sanu Kumar Sanu Kumar Sanu Kumar Sanu Kumar Sanu (alias Kedarnath Bhattacharya , born in Kolkata, is a leading Indian Bollywood playback singer. He was awarded the Filmfare Best Male Playback Award over five consecutive years. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2009.... , Sadhana Sargam Sadhana Sargam Sadhana Sargam is an acclaimed Indian playback singer. She is a recipient of the prestigious National Film Award and Filmfare Awards.Sargam has sung in many Indian languages for films, television serials and music albums. She is well known for her 90s Hindi songs and recent South Indian songs. She... |
| 2 | "Gawah Hain Chand Taare" | Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik Alka Yagnik Alka Yagnik is an Indian singer who is ranked among the best Hindi playback singers of all time. She is a seven-time winner of the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award as well as a two-time recipient of the prestigious National Film Awards... |
| 3 | "Bin Sajan Jhoola Jhoolu" | Kumar Sanu, Sadhana Sargam |
| 4 | "Sacha Aashiq Hai To" | Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik |
| 5 | "Kaga To Udd Gaya" | Alka Yagnik |
Awards
- National Film Award for Best Supporting ActorNational Film Award for Best Supporting ActorThe National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor is an annual award that was first given in 1968. The actors to have won the most awards in this category include Nana Patekar, Atul Kulkarni, and Pankaj Kapoor, each have received two....
- Sunny DeolSunny DeolSunny Deol often credited as "Action King of Bollywood" is an Indian film actor, producer and director. Deol was born to Bollywood actor Dharmendra. He has won two National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards. He went to England to study acting... - Filmfare Award
- Best DirectorFilmfare Best Director AwardThe Filmfare Best Director Award is one of the main awards presented given by the annual Filmfare Awards to recognise directors working in the Hindi film Industry. It was first presented in 1954 in the inaugural year.-Superlatives:...
: Rajkumar SantoshiRajkumar SantoshiRajkumar Santoshi is a Filmfare award-winning Indian film director and producer of Hindi films. He is the son of producer-director P.L. Santoshi.-Career:... - Best Supporting ActorFilmfare Best Supporting Actor AwardThe Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a male actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...
: Sunny DeolSunny DeolSunny Deol often credited as "Action King of Bollywood" is an Indian film actor, producer and director. Deol was born to Bollywood actor Dharmendra. He has won two National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards. He went to England to study acting... - Best ActressFilmfare Best Actress AwardThe Filmfare Award for Best Actress is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a female actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role. The award was first given in 1954.-Superlatives:...
(Nominated):Meenakshi SeshadriMeenakshi SeshadriMeenakshi Seshadri is an Indian film actress. She won the Miss India contest in 1981 at age 17. She is the youngest woman to be crowned Miss India-Career:...
- Best Director