When N. Chandra's Tezaab was released in 1988, it had all the ingredients of a flop: a story as old as the hills, unknown leading lady, modest budget, and Anil Kapoor. But due to its breakneck storytelling and lead performances, Tezaab emerged as one of the biggest hits of the 80s and, at the same time, unleashed the Madhu juggernaut that would dominate the industry for a decade. The premise is simple: Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit meet in college, have a fight, fall in love...you get the picture. But in a matter of seconds (minor spoiler here) everything, and I mean Everything, goes haywire as Anil is banished, Madhuri becomes a dancer, a gang war ensues, police corruption raises its ugly head, a young Johnny Lever raises his ugly head, and 2 scenes are ripped out of The Untouchables. In other words, you know you're watching an Indian movie! Before this film Anil Kapoor was useless. He had found success in supporting roles but, apart from Mr. India the previous year, wasn't having much luck as a leading man. That all changed here as Anil commanded the screen with his portrayal of Munna, an ex-patriot who now finds himself on the wrong side of the law. The raw edge that he brought to the character was perfect and one wishes he'd done more of these roles instead of the "nice guy everyman types" he plays today. As the long-suffering yet loyal Mohini, a psychology student forced into dancing by her alcoholic father - played well by Anupham Kher - Madhuri, who was about 21 at the time, gave the type of no holds barred performance that most actresses don't (and can't) give in their life. This was her big break and her determination to succeed is evident throughout the film yet she is never overshadowed nor overacts. The infamous "Ek Do Teen" number is here, complete with all the "Jhataks Mathaks" that accompanied her star turn and made it the nation's mantra. The film lost the Boscar (i.e. the Indian Oscar) to Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak although Anil did take the Best Actor trophy over Aamir Khan. Madhuri, in a close call, lost out to Rekha (if you care). There is an awful lot of violence in this movie - this is after all a MAN's love story, not some sissy Shahrukh Khan flick. The flashback technique that Chandra incorporated into the film kept it from being a bore without confusing the viewer. The story may not have been original, but it's the execution that made it a winner.
Review of Tezaab
