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Aaj Ka Arjun (1990)

Aaj Ka Arjun (1990)

Film.Indian Cinema
DirectorK.C. Bokadia
LanguageHindi
On this Page
Introduction
Body of Work
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Home/Film/Aaj Ka Arjun (1990)

Aaj Ka Arjun1990

Aaj Ka Arjun (1990): featured artwork

Introduction

Aaj Ka Arjun (1990) is a crime drama film directed and produced by K.C. Bokadia, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Prada. The film, inspired by the 1988 Tamil movie En Thangachi Padichava, takes significant liberties with the Mahabharata, focusing on a reinterpreted storyline seen through the lens of Bhima and Arjuna. While deviating from Vyasa's original narrative, the film retains the essence of rivalry, melodrama, and the classic themes of sibling relationships and father-son dynamics, presenting them in a more modern, commercial context.

Despite its heavy use of clichés, the film was a massive commercial success and became one of the highest-grossing films of the year. It played a crucial role in resurrecting Bachchan's career, helping him reclaim his stardom after a period of decline. In the story, Bhima (Amitabh Bachchan) is exiled after opposing the tyrannical landlord Thakur Bhupendra Singh (Amrish Puri). However, when his nephew is kidnapped, Bhima must return and convince the very villagers who ostracized him to stand by him once again.

Made on a modest budget of ₹2 crores, the role was initially offered to Anil Kapoor, who turned it down, paving the way for Bachchan to step in—a decision he had no hesitation in making, despite the film being rejected by his junior. At the time, Bachchan was in dire need of a successful project, and Aaj Ka Arjun turned out to be a hit, taking a record opening and becoming a major box-office success.

The film's soundtrack, composed by Bappi Lahiri with lyrics by Anjaan, featured the popular track Gori Hai Kalaiyan. This song's tune was adapted from a composition by the renowned music director duo Shankar–Jaikishan, and the vocals were provided by Lata Mangeshkar and Shabbir Kumar. The soundtrack was well-received, with Box Office India reporting it as the fifth-highest-selling album of the year, with around 1.8 million units sold.

At the 36th Filmfare Awards, Aaj Ka Arjun received two nominations—Best Supporting Actress (Radhika) and Best Music Director (Bappi Lahiri)—though it did not win in either category. In a rare, candid interview, Bachchan reflected on the "tough times" he endured during the film's production, which coincided with the Bofors controversy that also implicated him and his family. However, Bachchan eventually won the court case, clearing his name and that of his family's.

आज का अर्जुन (1990) एक एक्शन ड्रामा फ़िल्म है जिसके निर्माता और निर्देशक के.सी. बोकाड़िया थे। फ़िल्म में मुख्य भूमिकाएँ अमिताभ बच्चन और जया प्रदा ने निभाई थीं। 1988 में बनी तमिल फ़िल्म एन थंगाची पाडीचावा से प्रेरित इस फ़िल्म की कहानी महाभारत की कहानी के तत्वों को भी अपने कथानक में इस्तेमाल करती है। फ़िल्म महाभारत की कथा को भीम और अर्जुन के किरदारों के नज़रिये से कहती है। हालांकि महर्षि वेद व्यास की मूल कथा से इस फ़िल्म की कहानी बहुत अलग थी लेकिन भाइयों के बीच प्रतिद्वंद्विता, कथानक की नाटकीयता और पिता-पुत्र संबंधों के विविध पक्ष दिखाते हुए यह महाभारत की कथा के तत्वों को आधुनिक संदर्भों में पेश करती है।
कई घिसे-पिटे फॉर्मूलों के इस्तेमाल के बावजूद फ़िल्म ने एक बड़ी व्यावसायिक सफलता हासिल की और यह उस साल की सबसे अधिक कमाई करने वाली फिल्मों में से एक बन गई। इस फ़िल्म की कामयाबी ने अमिताभ बच्चन के डूबते नायकीय करियर को भी सहारा दिया। फ़िल्म भीमा (अमिताभ बच्चन) के किरदार के साथ आगे बढ़ती है जिसे गाँव के अत्याचारी ठाकुर भूपेन्द्र सिंह (अमरीश पुरी) के ज़ुल्म के खिलाफ़ आवाज़ उठाने के कारण गाँव से बेदखल कर दिया गया है। पर जब उसकी मृत बहन के बेटे को ठाकुर के गुंडे उठा लेते हैं तो भीमा को ठाकुर से लड़ने के लिए वापस लौटना पड़ता है। उसे गाँववालों से भी वापस अपील करनी पड़ती है कि वे खौफ़ की गुलामी छोड़ें और ठाकुर के विरुद्ध लड़ाई में उसके साथ खड़े हों।
2 करोड़ रुपये के मामूली बजट में बनी आज का अर्जुन की मुख्य भूमिका पहले अनिल कपूर को ऑफर की गई थी, पर उन्होंने इसे ठुकरा दिया। जब अमिताभ बच्चन को इस भूमिका का प्रस्ताव दिया गया तो उन्होंने यह जानते हुए भी कि इसे उनके कनिष्ठ अभिनेता ने ठुकराया है, बिना हिचक इसके लिए हाँ बोल दिया। दरअसल उस समय अमिताभ को किसी भी तरह एक कामयाब फ़िल्म की सख्त जरूरत थी और आज का अर्जुन ने उनकी वो ज़रूरत पूरी की। यह टिकट खिड़की पर रिकॉर्ड ओपनिंग हासिल करने वाली एक बड़ी हिट फ़िल्म साबित हुई।
​​फ़िल्म में बप्पी लाहिड़ी का संगीत था और गानों के बोल अंजान ने लिखे थे। इस फ़िल्म का "गोरी हैं कलाइयाँ" गीत बहुत लोकप्रिय हुआ। इस गाने को लता मंगेशकर और शब्बीर कुमार ने गाया था और इसकी धुन प्रसिद्ध संगीतकार जोड़ी शंकर-जयकिशन की एक तर्ज़ से प्रेरित थी। फ़िल्म के गानों को खूब सराहा गया और 'बॉक्स ऑफ़िस इंडिया' ने इसे साल का पांचवाँ सबसे ज़्यादा बिकने वाला एल्बम घोषित किया, जिसकी लगभग 18 लाख प्रतियाँ बिकी थीं।
छत्तीसवें फ़िल्मफ़ेयर पुरस्कारों में आज का अर्जुन से सर्वश्रेष्ठ सहायक अभिनेत्री की भूमिका के लिए राधिका को और सर्वश्रेष्ठ संगीत निर्देशन के लिए बप्पी लाहिड़ी को नामांकन हासिल हुए, हालाँकि फ़िल्म ने पुरस्कार किसी भी श्रेणी में नहीं जीता। बाद में एक आत्मीय साक्षात्कार में अमिताभ बच्चन ने बताया था कि कैसे इस फ़िल्म के निर्माण के दौरान उन्होंने बहुत मुश्किल हालातों का सामना किया। भारतीय राजनीति में यह बोफ़ोर्स विवाद का समय था और उस आरोपों प्रत्यारोपों के दौर में उनका पूरा परिवार इसकी चपेट में आ गया था। हालांकि बाद
में अमिताभ बच्चन को अदालती मामले में जीत मिली और इसके साथ उनके परिवार पर लगा इल्ज़ाम भी मिट गया।
Pereira, Peter (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Lobby Card | CinemaEducation | 00782129
1 / 3

Body of Work

Banner
BMB Productions
Cinematographer
Peter Pereira
Director
K.C. Bokadia
Lead Cast
Amitabh Bachchan, Suresh Oberoi, Jaya Prada, Radhika Sarathkumar
Lead Cast Rest
Anirudh Agarwal, Vikas Anand, Baby Guddo, Anupam Kher, Kiran Kumar, Ram Kumar, Jr. Mahmood, Amrish Puri, Preeti Sapru, Rishabh Shukla, Asrani, Brahamachari
Producer
K.C. Bokadia

Research Centre

K.C. Bokadia (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Song-Synopsis Booklet
Bokadia, K.C. (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Song-Synopsis Booklet
View full record
Peter Pereira (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Lobby Card
Pereira, Peter (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Lobby Card
View full record
Peter Pereira (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Lobby Card
Pereira, Peter (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Lobby Card
View full record
Peter Pereira (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Lobby Card
Pereira, Peter (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Lobby Card
View full record
K.C. Bokadia (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Full Sheet Poster
Bokadia, K.C. (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Full Sheet Poster
View full record
K.C. Bokadia (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Full Sheet Poster
Bokadia, K.C. (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Full Sheet Poster
View full record
K.C. Bokadia (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Full Sheet Poster
Bokadia, K.C. (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Full Sheet Poster
View full record
Peter Pereira (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Photographic Still
Pereira, Peter (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Photographic Still
View full record
K.C. Bokadia (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Song Synopsis Booklet
Bokadia, K.C. (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Song Synopsis Booklet
View full record
K.C. Bokadia (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Song Synopsis Booklet
Bokadia, K.C. (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Song Synopsis Booklet
View full record
K.C. Bokadia (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Song-Synopsis Booklet
Bokadia, K.C. (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Song-Synopsis Booklet
View full record
Peter Pereira (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Lobby Card
Pereira, Peter (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Lobby Card
View full record
Peter Pereira (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Lobby Card
Pereira, Peter (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Lobby Card
View full record
Peter Pereira (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Lobby Card
Pereira, Peter (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Lobby Card
View full record
K.C. Bokadia (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Full Sheet Poster
Bokadia, K.C. (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Full Sheet Poster
View full record
K.C. Bokadia (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Full Sheet Poster
Bokadia, K.C. (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Full Sheet Poster
View full record
K.C. Bokadia (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Full Sheet Poster
Bokadia, K.C. (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Full Sheet Poster
View full record
Peter Pereira (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Photographic Still
Pereira, Peter (Cinematographer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Photographic Still
View full record
K.C. Bokadia (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Song Synopsis Booklet
Bokadia, K.C. (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Song Synopsis Booklet
View full record
K.C. Bokadia (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990, Song Synopsis Booklet
Bokadia, K.C. (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Song Synopsis Booklet
View full record

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Personalities

3

Amitabh BachchanLead Cast
Anupam KherLead Cast
Kiran KumarLead Cast
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              Bokadia, K.C. (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Full Sheet Poster | CinemaEducation | 00767549

              Bokadia, K.C. (Producer), Aaj Ka Arjun, 1990 | Full Sheet Poster

              ProducerK.C. Bokadia
              Document TypeFull Sheet Poster
              Film TitleAaj Ka Arjun, 1990, India, Hindi
              DirectorK.C. BokadiaBannerBMB Productions
              CinematographerPeter Pereira
              CastAmitabh Bachchan, Suresh Oberoi, Jaya Prada, Radhika Sarathkumar, Anirudh Agarwal, Vikas Anand, Baby Guddo, Anupam Kher, Kiran Kumar, Ram Kumar, Jr. Mahmood, Amrish Puri, Preeti Sapru, Rishabh Shukla, Asrani, Brahamachari
              Copyright of ImageWith Producer | Archive Object

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              01Cinema as a Critical Educational Resource