Introduction
The 1980s were the era of masala movies in Bollywood. Around this time, Amitabh Bachchan’s career took off as one of the biggest action stars in the industry, thanks to his “angry young man” portrayal. The era also saw multiple A-listers such as Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, and Anil Kapoor take on mass entertainers, which became the foundation of Bollywood blockbusters for years to come. The movies tackled issues of corruption, politics, crime, and war, and were characterised by their grittiness.
Shakti (1982)
Plot Overview
This 1982 crime drama is one of the best 80s masala movies, starring powerhouses such as Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, and Rakhi Gulzar. The movie revolves around the clash between father and son, played by the leads Bachchan and Kumar. Kumar plays DCP Ashwini Kumar, the principled police officer, and Bachchan plays his son Vijay, a diametrically opposite character. Vijay resents his father’s relentless dedication to the law and his uncompromising nature. The clash between his polar opposite figures is the crux of the movie, with Vijay’s resentment leading him towards a world of crime. Thus, the two characters find themselves on opposite sides of the law.
A Psychological Clash
Written by the iconic duo, Salim-Javed, and directed by Ramesh Sippy, the psychological clash unfolds throughout the story. The movie is a film of choice between duty towards family and the law. Dilip Kumar’s character is the symbol of duty and justice, and Vijay is the symbol of defiance. The movie boasts some of the thrilling action sequences of all time while portraying the conflict between the father and son. Shakti is a movie emblematic of sacrifice and what to sacrifice for.
Power-Packed Father-Son Saga
Shakti is a film carried by its powerhouse performances of Bachchan and Kumar. The crime drama is a classic example of action combined with a plot riddled with conflict. Considered as one of the best Amitabh Bachchan 80s action movies, it was commercially successful and the highest-grossing movie of the year. The iconic clash between father and son has taken its place among the best of Indian cinema. The film’s female leads, Rakhi Gulzar and Smita Patil, also share some of the heartfelt moments of their career.
Andhaa Kaanoon (1983)
Plot Summary
Andhaa Kaanoon is one of the most star-studded and is considered one of the top Hindi action movies of the 80s. The movie serves as Rajnikanth’s debut into Bollywood and portrays Vijay Singh, who seeks revenge for his family members’ deaths. His sister Durga, played by Hema Malini, enters the police force to seek justice through legal means. The duo meets Jan Nissar Khan, and the trio embarks on a quest to avenge their family. The quest takes a dark turn into violence, forming a strong commentary about the law’s fallacy in protecting people.
Rajnikanth’s Powerful Performance
The movie marks Rajnikanth’s explosive debut in Bollywood, playing Vijay Singh, whose family has been murdered by three men–Amar, Akbar, and Anthony. Although already a Tamil star, he shares the screen with Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini. But he manages to hold his own through his screen presence. He seamlessly transforms from a vulnerable victim to a cold-blooded killer seeking revenge.
Legacy
The movie is also one of the classic Bollywood action films, featuring many stars in supporting roles. Andhaa Kaanoon is known for its stylized action and is considered the first masala movie with Rajnikanth’s powerful performance. Hema Malini and Amitabh Bachchan provide solid support in their respective roles.
Arjun (1985)
Plot Summary
Arjun is a story of political manipulation and fighting injustices. Arjun, played by Sunny Deol, becomes a local hero when he stands up to some local goons harassing his neighbourhood. He is an angry youth who is at odds with the system and catches the eye of a local politician. Shiv Kumar Chowgule (Anupam Kher), the politician, offers Arjun a job to work for him. Arjun accepts but soon finds out that he has been a political tool. He breaks away, choosing to fight on his terms, leading to heavy action and street fighting.
Trendsetter of the 80s
Arjun is considered one of the most important 80s masala movies and a trendsetter of the era. The movie hits on themes such as conflict between the youth and the system, political manipulation, and corruption. Written by Javed Akhtar, the movie also portrays urban realism and the use of unemployed youth as a tool for the political class.
Sunny Deol as Arjun
Arjun establishes Sunny Deol as the 80s action star, taking over Amitabh Bachchan’s legacy of the angry young man. His portrayal of Arjun was both nuanced and impactful to the audience. His acting exuded raw physicality with emotional vulnerability seamlessly blended. The movie is a landmark for Hindi cinema and thus makes it to the top Hindi action movies of the 80s. Dimple Kapadia and Anupam Kher also provide brilliant support in their roles. However, it’s Sunny Deol’s acting that carries the film forward.
Geraftaar (1985)
Plot Summary
Geraftaar is an action drama starring Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and Rajnikanth. Karan (Amitabh Bachchan) flees home after being suspected of murdering his father. He grows up to be a police officer and saves his brother (Kishan), played by Kamal Haasan, from a fake murder allegation against him by a villain. The plot touches the themes of love and revenge, corruption, and sibling reunion, with cliches thrown at him for good measure.
Cult Classic
The movie has every ingredient of a masala movie entertainer–long-lost brother, love interest, a classic villain, an eventual showdown, and redemption. Kamal Haasan shines as the lead actor Kishan, with Amitabh Bachchan playing his long-lost brother and Rajnikanth as his friend. Kader Khan plays the main villain, who is the mastermind behind a syndicate and frames Kishan for the murder of Lucy (his wife’s friend). The powerhouse duo of Kamal Haasan and Bachchan produced great chemistry and made the movie a rollercoaster ride for the audience.
Stunning Cast
The cast is perfect in the role they perform. Kamal Haasan portrays Kishan with a range of emotions, with his circumstances going up and down throughout the movie. Amitabh Bachchan plays the cop with confidence and charisma. Kader Khan plays the villain with menacing expressions, who also writes dialogue for the movie.
Jalwa (1987)
Plot Summary
Jalwa is a cop thriller action movie starring Naseeruddin Shah and Archana Singh. The movie plot is predominantly a narcotics drama where Shah’s character Kapil gets promoted to a CID officer. Inspector Kapil follows a killer to Goa, where he tracks down the killer with the help of a local woman, Jojo. The movie is considered the best among old Hindi action movies, depicting drug abuse and overdosing.
Portrayal of Drug Abuse
Jalwa’s portrayal of drug abuse was ahead of its time. Inspector Kapil sees his brother die of a drug overdose, and later his friend dies in front of him. The plot follows him to Goa, where he faces one obstacle after another, even getting arrested once. But with the help of Jojo, he cracks the case. While the topic is depressing and dark, the director Pankaj Parashar makes it fun to watch.
Remake of Beverly Hills Cop
The film closely follows the plot of Beverly Hills Cop. The portrayal of drug abuse was educational for the audience and featured on Doordarshan regularly. The cautionary tale humanises the victims of drug addiction while also giving an entertaining cop-action film. Shah’s depiction of hunk inspector Kapil carries the film, making it one of the best 80s masala movies.
Inquilaab (1984)
Plot Summary
Inquilaab is an action movie that follows the character Amar Nath, who makes a living selling snacks outside a Bombay movie theatre. Following a personal tragedy, he confronts an unjust system he lives, making Amar Nath into a revolutionary from an ordinary, poor street vendor. He has taken on the establishment, faces obstacles and dilemmas on the way, highlighting a hero’s journey from vulnerability to power.
Bachchan’s Character Arc
Amitabh Bachchan’s character of Amar Nath is a dynamic lead who undergoes a drastic change. The depravities of the system force him to become a revolutionary from an ordinary snack seller outside a city theatre. He is capable and quick-witted, but the system does not allow him to succeed. His disillusionment with the system following his tragedy is palpable throughout his expression.
Legacy and Relevance
Inquilaab is considered one of Big B’s most underrated roles and his classic Bollywood action films. The movie Zanjeer established him as the angry young man, and Inquilaab carries that legacy. Despite its modest box office returns, the film has garnered a cult following among the audience over time, making it one of the best action movies of 80s Bollywood. It is one of the rare instances where the hero of a movie shows shades of grey and radical notions of upending the system.
Hukumat (1987)
Plot Summary
Hukumat is a cop thriller starring Dharmendra and Rati Agnihotri, directed by Anil Sharma. The story revolves around police officer Arjun Singh with a violent streak in handling criminals. His diametric opposite, DIG Khan (Shammi Kapoor), differs with his approach. Arjun Singh gets transferred to a village where he has to deal with a criminal mastermind, Deen Bandhu Deena Nath, or Mangal Singh. Arjun Singh collaborates with DIG Khan to take down his gang and restore law and order.
Dharmendra’s Comeback
This movie was considered Dharmendra’s comeback after a spell of disasters for the past couple of years. Considered as the most iconic of Dharmendra’s 80s hit movies, he was a priceless jewel for the director Anil Sharma. He performs the role of Arjun Singh with charm and raw physicality.
Box Office and Legacy
Hukumat was an immediate blockbuster and the highest-grossing movie of that year. It was one of the 8 hit movies of Dharmendra released that year. This movie cemented Dharmendra’s star power in the industry and led to a Tamil remake, Puthiya Vaanam.
Tezaab (1988)
Plot Summary
Tezaab is a revenge drama starring Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit as the leads. The story revolves around Mukush Deskhmukh aka Munna (Anil Kapoor) taking revenge upon the person who killed his parents. In due course, he gets imprisoned and saves his love interest, Mohini. The movie features a few of the most iconic songs of Hindi cinema, becoming one of the most memorable 80s masala movies.
Power-packed Performances
The movie served as Madhuri Dixit’s breakout role opposite Anil Kapoor. Kapoor also cemented his presence in Hindi cinema after his breakout through Mr. India. Anil Kapoor shows incredible range as Munna, who turns from an honest boy to a man driven by rage and revenge. Dixit as Mohini is excellent as the bar dancer who balances her life between her career, her love affair with Munna, and her alcoholic father. Anumpan Kher as Shyamlal is also great as Mohini’s father.
Box-office Success and Awards
Tezaab broke box-office records upon release, running for 50 weeks in the theatre and becoming the highest-grossing movie of the year. The songs became chartbusters with the “Ek Do Teen” becoming iconic in the voice of Alka Yagnik. The movie was also awarded 12 nominations, with Kapoor and Dixit receiving nominations for their acting. Anil Kapoor won his award. The story, songs, and performances made Tezaab into one of the top Hindi action movies of the 80s.
Shahenshah (1988)
Plot Summary
Shahenshah is a crime drama featuring a vigilante who works as a police officer by day and fights crime at night. The movie starts with a loan fraud where Inspector Vijay Kumar Srivistav. The death of his friend forces him to take up vigilante justice against the perpetrators, being disillusioned with the system. Shahenshah is one of the best Amitabh Bachchan 80s action movies, powered by an impactful performance and iconic dialogues.
Iconic Dialogues
Shahenshah is filled with endlessly quotable dialogues, which are quoted even today. One of the most popular dialogues is “Rishtey mein toh hum tumhare baap lagte hain… Naam hai Shahenshah.” The dialogue quoted by Bachchan in the movie is meant to signify his transformation and intimidate his foes when he reveals his identity.
Amitabh Bachchan’s Performance
This movie serves as Bachchan’s comeback after a three-year hiatus from his political campaign. It broke box office records and became the third highest-grossing movie of the year. Shahenshah broke box office records and set new ones, especially for advance ticket booking.
Mard (1985)
Plot Summary
Mard is a period action movie set in a fictional kingdom during British rule. General Dyer invades King Azad’s kingdom. He is eventually overthrown, and his infant sons go into hiding only to return to avenge their father. King Azad’s son Raja has a marking on his body symbolising strength, defeating the British, rescuing a sympathetic English woman, and his mother.
“Phantom” Adaptation
The movie is based on an American comic book character named Phantom or Betaal in the local version. While it is not a direct adaptation, the main character adopts the philosophy of the Phantom, passing down a father’s legacy to his sons. The movie also portrays its lead as a larger-than-life mythic character, which is inspired by Phantom.
Legacy
Over the years, this movie has become a template for portraying larger-than-life characters, vigilante heroes who operate outside of the law. Mard is also remembered for its patriotism and nationalistic storytelling of a king fighting an imperialist force. Mard also had one of the most stylised action sequences in Hindi cinema.
Conclusion
Bollywood’s 80s action movies had grit, glory, and raw emotions surging through their characters and storylines. These movies also had strong social messaging around systemic corruption and revolutions. These factors defined the era of filmmaking for Hindi cinema and established stars.
FAQs
- What were the blockbuster action movies of the 80s?
The 1980s offered a variety of classic high-octane movies such as Shakti, Andhaa Kaanoon, Tezaab, and Shahenshah. These movies were powered by strong stories, performances, memorable dialogues, and stylised action.
- What is the best action movie of 1985 in Hindi?
Mard is considered the best action movie of 1985. The movie is an adaptation of the Phantom character from American comic books. Other notable movies include Geraftaar and Arjun.
