Mard ( 'Man') is a 1985 Indian Hindi-language action film, directed by Manmohan Desai. Starring Amitabh Bachchan and Amrita Singh. The movie was remade in Tamil as Maaveeran. Amitabh Bachchan was nominated for Filmfare Award for Best Actor category. Mard was the second highest-grossing film. of the year. and the eighth highest-grossing film of the 1980s (1980 to 1989). Furthermore, when adjusted for inflation, Mard is one of the highest-grossing films released during the Diwali festival, approximately more than 450cr nett. in today's time.

Plot

The film opens in early 20th century India, still under British rule. Raja Azad Singh thwarts British soldiers from plundering an Indian fort, recovering the stolen jewels. His wife, Rani Durga, gives birth to a son, Raju, and Raja marks him with the word "mard" (man), symbolizing strength and bravery. Lady Helena, a sympathetic Englishwoman, uncovers the soldiers' atrocities, leading to their reprimand. English officers General Dyer and Inspector Simon, along with local doctor Harry, conspire to capture Raja. Harry sedates Raja, leading to his capture and imprisonment. Rani Durga escapes but is shot, and their horse brings baby Raju to an orphanage. A blacksmith's wife adopts Raju, and Rani Durga loses her speech and becomes a washerwoman. Harry is appointed mayor for his betrayal. Raju grows up strong, working as a tanga driver. He confronts Ruby, Harry’s daughter, over her reckless behavior, leading to her falling in love with him. Harry and General Dyer demolish a slum, but Raju rallies the residents to resist. Lady Helena intervenes, stopping the demolition and releasing Raju from arrest. Harry’s attempts to bribe and eliminate Raju fail. Danny, General Dyer’s son, runs nefarious operations, including blood camps, slave labor, and the imprisonment of Raja Azad Singh. Raju learns of his lineage and plans to rescue his father. Danny captures and kills Raju’s adoptive parents, prompting Raju to attack the camp. Danny traps Raju and stages a gladiatorial fight between Raju and his father. They recognize each other during the fight and turn against their captors. In the final battle, Raju and Raja defeat the villains, rescue Lady Helena and Rani Durga, and ensure the downfall of Harry, Danny, and their cohorts. The film ends with Raju and Ruby reuniting with Raju’s parents, symbolizing the dawn of India’s independence movement.

Cast

Location

Mard was mostly shot in Ooty (near a golf links site belonging to Hindustan Photo Films) and at various locations in Karnataka, such as the Lalitha Mahal in Mysore and the Bangalore Palace.

Soundtrack

Anu Malik composed music for Mard. The Soundtrack album consisting of 6 tracks was released on 7 June 1985 on T-Series. Critics accused Desai of using double-meaning words in the song Hum to tamboo mein bamboo lagaye baithe. However, the song was a hit. This is one of the films where Kishore Kumar did not sing for Amitabh Bachchan, as well as Coolie and Naseeb, due to Bachchan refusing to appear as a guest in a film which Kishore produced.

Box office

The film opened to nearly sold-out theatres and grossed approximately ₹16cr.