In recent years, more and more Indian films are making their way to America. Just a decade or so ago, they were practically impossible to find. Now, Netflix, Hulu and even local cable channels carry Indian films. While they are not yet commonly watched by the average person in my country, this is quickly changing as people are realizing that India is making some great films.

Most of the films we have been getting are musicals--which are very popular in India. Most of these are also romances. However, a few films are NOT the same formulaic pictures (even though I like these romances, there is a certain sameness about many of them). A few of Satyajit Ray's films, gangster films (which I assume are VERY popular in India since I've seen so many) and comedies are also available--but you have to look a bit harder for them.

One of the best of these non-formula films I've recently seen is "Ek Hasina Thi". When I say non-formula, I mean that it has no production dance numbers and the film is much more realistic and gritty. And, because of this, the film is a nice change of pace and well worth your time.

This movie begins with a beautiful lady (Sarika) being stalked, somewhat, by a handsome young man (Karan). He is VERY persistent and a tad creepy--as he comes on really strong. But he's also very thoughtful and sweet and she falls for him...reluctantly. A bit later, one of Karan's 'friends' drops by her apartment and leaves a suitcase. Soon, she sees on the news that the man who visited her was a gangster and he's dead!! Sarika has no idea what to do and still thinks her boyfriend is what he claims to be--a guy who's made his fortune in stocks and bonds. This is a HUGE mistake, as soon the police arrive and find her with the suitcase and arrest her. And, based on advice from him and his sleaze-bag lawyer, she pleads guilty. These two told her the court would just release her and that would be that. Instead, she's given a huge sentence and sent to a hellish prison. She soon comes to realize that she's been set up to be the fall girl for a very bad man...and the quiet and sweet girl evolves into a very angry lady--one who is able to kill, if need be, to get revenge.

While I would normally say no more (as it might spoil the film),I noticed that IMDb's summary gives a LOT of information. So, it lets you know that she does escape prison and she does plot revenge. I really, really liked this--as it was exciting to see the mousy lady become a Rambo-like hero. However, very importantly, it was NOT all action and a lot of the crazy stuff she did was believable....at least compared to many revenge films. See this one--and see the really cool ending. Well made all around.

Urmila Matondkar cracked this one. Her performance is impeccable and totally clings to her character. Reel to real, I must say.

Ram Gopal Verma and Raghavan have done a beautiful job with this thriller; written absolutely with finesse, characterization is mind- blowing so are the dialogues. It keeps you thrilled throughout the sequences and with the number of twists even the Hollywood biggie Shyamalan or O Henry would get startled. The screenplay is marvelous.

Now, this is one Bollywood film which you got to watch before you die. They don't make such movies anymore!

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? 60% YES

Language: Yes Sex: No Nudity: Yes Mouth-Kiss: Yes Violence: Yes; plenty

EK HASINA THI (2004) : Brief Review -

A very good one line Revenge Drama noniridescently known as a Thriller. Ek Hasina Thi is like a open book from the first scene, there are no backdrops or unknown thrilling facts. It's the same woman's revenge formula which was cracked almost 6 decades ago in Hollywood and 2-3 decades ago in Bollywood. Ek Hasina Thi very much justifies it's title as it tells a story of a Girl/Woman Sarika who has been betrayed by an underworld mafia Karan. She was put in jail by the honey trap and then she escapes to take a solid and Cruel revenge. As far as you can you can read there is only one plot in the film and it was very much predictable for me after the first 30 minutes only. I just had to watch rest of the 100 minutes as a formality but somewhere in my mind was expecting a two or three liner plot which never happened. That was a big disappointment for me and nobody is at fault for this except me. I should have controlled my optimistic nature while watching this Bollywood flick after watching plenty of Classic thrillers from World Cinema. Urmila Matondkar looks so gorgeous, those greeny Browny eyes, oh my god. I am shivering. Saif Ali Khan proves his versatility yet again and supporting cast is very good. Screenplay is fine considering the real motive and overall impact of the woman centric idea. Not to mention it could have been Mind-blowing if it had the secondary plot included. Sriram Raghvan debuts with a Primary Revenge Drama which is really very good and definitely a promising start to his career but causelessly known as a Thriller. It is just an ordinary Revenge Drama with an excellent pick up but nowhere near to the Thriller tag. Overall, Ek Hasina Thi manages to deliver a sweet, solid and outdated Revenge drama and if you haven't seen much of those then give it watch.

RATING - 6.5/10*

By - #samthebestest