Made in a production budget of Rs 1.76 crore, the film grossed around Rs 6 crore. It was lead actress’s comeback film and won her the Best Actress award as well.
Today, we will talk about one of the best revenge drama films that Hindi cinema has ever produced. It came before the dramatic TV shows of the 2000s, which Ekta Kapoor made popular, filled with endless betrayal, partners plotting against each other and plastic surgeries. Released in 1988, it is none other than Rekha starrer Khoon Bhari Maang, that was a commercial success and achieved a cult status since then.
Inspired by the Australian mini series Return to Edge (1983), the story revolves around a woman, who uses her new identity to take revenge on her second husband who had attempted to kill her. The film is a blend of drama and suspense, keeping viewers engaged throughout.
The film follows the story of Aarti Verma, a widow with two children, who is considered unattractive due to a large birthmark on her face. After her father is murdered by one of his employees, the employee’s nephew Sanjay, charms her and marries her. Together with her best friend, who is also a secret lover, Sanjay pushes Aarti into a crocodile-infested late with plans to inherit her wealth. Though severely injured, Aarti survives, undergoes plastic surgery that transforms her into a stunning woman, and sets out to take revenge.
Directed and produced by Rakesh Roshan, Khoon Bhari Maang features a talented ensemble cast including Rekha, Kabir Bedi, Sonu Walia and Shatrughan Sinha. Rekha’s portrayal of Aarti Saxena was widely acclaimed by the audience and critics alike. Her transformation from a victim to a vengeful woman showcased her versatility as an actresses.
Made in a production budget of Rs 1.76 crore, the film grossed around Rs 6 crore. The movie was nominated in seven categories at the Filmfare Awards. It was Rekha’s comeback film and won her the Best Actress award as well.
The film stood out not just for its financial success but also for its critical acclaim. It’s engaging storyline, Rekha’s powerful performance and its appeal to a wide audience led to the film’s indelible success.
In 2015, there were rumours about a possible remake of the movie and actors like Sonakshi Sinha and Deepika Padukone were reportedly keen on doing the project. However, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan later declined such claims.