‘Pukar’ (2000) was a groundbreaking film that challenged the conventions of Bollywood’s love triangle films about national security. The film’s storyline was as complex as its characters and it featured two of the most memorable performances of Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit’s careers. They were last seen together in the comedy film ‘Total Dhamaal’ (2019).
Kapoor played Major Jaidev, an Indian Army officer who is court-martialed after saving a politician from a terrorist attack. The terrorist, Abhrush (Danny Denzongpa), joins forces with Jaidev’s childhood friend Anjali (Dixit) to ruin his life.
Kapoor’s performance as Jaidev was a tour-de-force. He brought a level of intensity and emotion to the role that had never been seen before in a Bollywood film. His bravery, his willingness to sacrifice and his hard-hitting dialogue delivery were all on point.
Dixit also gave a standout performance as Anjali. She was able to convey Anjali’s vulnerability, her strength and her love for Jaidev in equal measure. The chemistry between Kapoor and Dixit was undeniable and their performances helped to make Pukar one of the most iconic love triangles in Bollywood history.
The film’s music, composed by A.R. Rahman, was also a major highlight. The songs “Kay Sera Sera”, “Kismat Se Tum Hum Ko Mile” and “Ek Tu Hi Bharosa” are all classics that are still cherished by fans today.
Pukar was a critical and commercial success and it won numerous awards, including Kapoor’s first National Film Award.
