35 years of Aamir Khan starrer Raakh: 9 lesser-known facts about the dark crime drama

The phrase ‘multiplex cinema’ came into existence after the emergence of multiplexes in India around the start of the new millennium. These are generally films that don’t provide conventional entertainment as they focus on unconventional stories and are suited more for film festivals. They are also called as ‘arthouse films’. A major characteristic of these films is that it doesn’t contain big stars.

Aamir Khan did one such ‘multiplex’ film when ‘multiplex films’ were not even a thing. He teamed up with filmmaker Aditya Bhattacharya for a film called Raakh, which released in 1989. Along with him, it also had names that later went onto become popular actors – Pankaj Kapoor, Supriya Pathak and Homi Wadia.

As Raakh completes 35 years today, here’s looking at some of its interesting and lesser-known facts.

First film Aamir Khan shot

Aamir Khan made his debut as the main lead with his cousin Mansoor Khan’s Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak along with Juhi Chawla in 1988. The movie along with its music became a runaway success and the two debutant actors became stars. However, Aamir shot Raakh much before QSQT but it was released later.

Reason for not releasing Raakh first

Aamir Khan’s father, Tahir Hussain who was also the producer of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, didn’t want Raakh to be his son’s first film as the main lead. He wanted Aamir to make his debut through a conventional and massy movie instead of an arthouse film like Raakh. Hence, Raakh released a year after QSQT.

Dystopian subject

Raakh takes place in a dystopian world and in a city that is not named. The story is based on a dark period where a young man (Aamir) get smitten by a woman Neeta (Supriya Pathak). However, his world changes, not for the good, when Neeta is raped by a local gangster and he is forced to go on a path of revenge. To say that the film was ahead of its time would be an understatement.

Real names used

In Raakh, Aamir Khan is named Aamir Hussein, which is akin to his real name Mohammed Aamir Hussain Khan. Pankaj Kapoor, who plays a cop, is named P Kapoor. Similarly, actress Naina Balsaver is also named Naina in the movie.

First film for two other greats

Raakh was the first Hindi film for two veteran technicians – cinematographer Santosh Sivan and editor A Sreekar Prasad.

 

National Awards triumph

Raakh went onto win three National Awards – Best Supporting Actor for Pankaj Kapur, Special Mention for Aamir Khan and Best Editing for A Sreekar Prasad. Winning a National Award so early in his career was quite an achievement for Aamir.

Nuzhat Khan’s contribution

Aamir Khan’s cousin Nuzhat Khan teamed up with Aditya Bhattacharya as one of the two writers of Raakh. She also played the role of Aamir’s younger sister in the movie. She has worked as a costume designer for Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Josh (both directed by his brother Mansoor Khan) and Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, the acting debut for her son Imran Khan.

Aditya Bhattacharya’s filmography

After Raakh, director Aditya Bhattacharya made only four more films in the form of Senso Unico (1999), Dubai Return (2005), Sandokan In Sicilia (2009) and BMW – Bombay’s Most Wanted (2012). He played the role of one of Aamir’s friends in Raakh. He also went onto act in a number of films like Mandi, Rihaee, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Black Friday and Tera Kya Hoga Johnny.

Ahmed Khan’s early days

Choreographer-turned-filmmaker Ahmed Khan played Aamir’s young friend Shaikh in the movie. Before this movie, he had played a child actor in the classic Mr. India (1987).

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