Zehreela Insaan is a 1974 Indian Hindi-language romance film directed by Puttanna Kanagal and produced by Virendra Sinha. The film stars Rishi Kapoor, Moushumi Chatterjee, Neetu Singh and Pran. It is a remake of Kanagal's own 1972 Kannada film Naagarahaavu which was based on three Kannada novels: Nagarahavu, Ondu Gandu Eradu Hennu and Sarpa Mathsara, all written by T. R. Subba Rao.

Plot

Arjun is an ill-tempered but soft-hearted man whom others view as a bad person. His teacher (Masterji) is the only person who understands him and appreciates his good qualities so Arjun obeys him. Arjun loves Aarti and wants to marry her, but Aarti's father opposes this alliance and forcibly marries her off to a man of his choice. Arjun is dejected, and soon finds love in Margaret, his Christian college mate. While on a business trip to another city, Arjun finds that Aarti is a high society call girl. Margaret's uncle and mother are against her marrying Arjun. Arjun and Margaret flee to the hills; Masterji catches up with them and tries to pacify Arjun, but refuses and accidentally pushes him down the hill to his death. Traumatised, Arjun asks Margaret if she will join him and both jump to their deaths.

Cast

Production

Zehreela Insaan is a remake of the 1972 Kannada film Naagarahaavu, itself based on three different novels: Nagarahavu, Ondu Gandu Eradu Hennu and Sarpa Mathsara by T. R. Subba Rao. Puttanna Kanagal, who directed the Kannada film, returned to direct the Hindi remake, which was produced by Virendra Sinha under Pragati Chitra International. Cinematography was handled by Sudarshan Nag, and the editing by V. P. Krishna. Ambareesh, who played a character named Jaleel in Naagarahaavu, reprised his role in Zehreela Insaan. Much of the film was shot in Chitradurga, with the song "O Hansini" being shot at Chitradurga Fort.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by R. D. Burman while the lyrics were written by Majrooh Sultanpuri. The song "Saanp Se Badhke" is based on "Haavina Dwesha" from Naagarahaavu.

Release and reception

Zehreela Insaan was released on 20 November 1974, and did not succeed commercially. Rishi Kapoor later admitted it was a "mistake", feeling that he should have accepted a film similar to his earlier Bobby (1973) and not something that was "drastically different".