Khal Nayak

Khal Nayak (transl. Villain) is a 1993 Indian

At the 39th Filmfare Awards, Khal Nayak received 11 nominations and won two.

Balram "Ballu" Prasad, a wanted criminal, is arrested by Inspector Ram, who is investigating the criminal activities of Roshan Da, Ballu’s mentor. During interrogation, Ballu refuses to divulge information about Roshan Da. While in custody, he escapes with the help of his associates, leading to public criticism and a suspension for Ram.

To help restore Ram’s reputation, his fiancée and fellow officer, Inspector Ganga, volunteers to go undercover. Disguised as a street performer, she locates Ballu and gradually gains his trust. During their interactions, she learns about his background and circumstances that led him into crime.

Ballu begins to develop feelings for Ganga, unaware of her true identity. When he discovers she is a police officer, he feels betrayed and becomes hostile. Despite this, Ganga continues her mission and refuses to withdraw from the assignment.

Meanwhile, Ram visits Ballu’s mother, Aarti, who reveals that Ballu and Ram were childhood friends. She explains how Roshan Da took advantage of their family’s struggles and how Ballu came to believe the police were responsible for his sister Sunita’s death. This misinformation influenced Ballu’s descent into crime.

As the manhunt for Ballu intensifies, Ganga helps him escape during a police chase. She is arrested and charged with aiding a fugitive, resulting in damage to her professional standing and public image. Ballu, now in hiding, reunites with his mother but is attacked by Roshan Da, who sees him as a threat.

Inspector Ram leads a police operation against Roshan Da. During the confrontation, Ballu learns the truth about his sister’s death and Roshan Da’s involvement. Ram kills Roshan Da in the operation, while Ballu manages to flee.

Upon learning that Ganga is being tried for assisting him, Ballu returns voluntarily, confesses to his crimes, and testifies that Ganga was acting under official orders. His testimony leads to Ganga’s acquittal. Ballu is sentenced to imprisonment.

• Sanjay Dutt as Balaram "Ballu" Prasad, a notorious criminal working for Roshan Da; Navin and Aarti's son; Sunita's younger brother
• Madhuri Dixit as Inspector Gangotri "Ganga" Singh, an undercover police officer, Ram's girlfriend and Ballu's love interest
• Jackie Shroff as Inspector Ram Kumar Sinha, a hardworking and honest police officer; a former student at Aarti's school, Ganga's boyfriend, and Ballu's childhood friend,, "Babla"
• Anupam Kher as Ishwar Pandey, Inspector General of Police and Ram's distant uncle
• Rakhee Gulzar as Aarti Prasad, a retired teacher; Navin's wife, Sunita and Ballu's mother
• Siddharth Randeria as Navin Prasad, the public prosecutor appointed against Roshan Da; Aarti's husband, Sunita and Ballu's father
• Aloka Mukherjee as Sunita Prasad, Navin and Aarti's daughter and Ballu's elder sister
• Ramya Krishna
  as Sophia Sulochana, Ballu's mistress
• Pramod Moutho
  as Roshan "Roshan Da" Mahanta, Ballu's mentor who lured him into a life of crime and deceit
• Sushmita Mukherjee as Mrs. Maithili Pandey
• sentence fragment
  ]
• Arun Bali as Police Commissioner Kuljeet Chaddha
• Anand Balraj as a police inspector
• A. K. Hangal as Shaukat Bhai
• Sudhir Dalvi as Shambhu Master, a village school teacher (special appearance)
• Neena Gupta as Champa, a dancer in the song "Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai"
• Ali Asgar as Munna, a thug working for Roshan Da
• Sunil Shende as the Judge of Ganga's trial
• Hans Dev Sharma as investigation officer, assistant to Ram Kumar Sinha

Director Subhash Ghai initially conceived the project as an art film starring Nana Patekar. The original narrative followed the protagonist's journey from Pune to Mumbai. During production, inspired by a suggestion from a screenwriter, Ghai shifted the film’s direction toward the action genre.^[2]

Anil Kapoor expressed interest in portraying Ballu. However, Ghai advised against it, stating that Kapoor was not suited for the role and that his casting could lead to the film's failure. Sanjay Dutt was subsequently cast. ^{[citation needed]}

During filming, Dutt was arrested and incarcerated in connection with the 1993 Bombay bombings case.^[2]

Ghai raised objections against Khal-Naaikaa, a similarly titled film that was due to be released on the same day as Khal Nayak, at the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA). However, the IMPPA ruled against him, stating that while Ghai could change his film's release date, the producers of Khal-Naaikaa would not alter theirs. As a result, both films were released on 6 August 1993.^[2]

The soundtrack of Khal Nayak was composed by Laxmikant–Pyarelal with lyrics by Anand Bakshi.^[2]

Khal Nayak was a major commercial success at the box office, grossing ₹240 million worldwide, ranking as the second-highest-grossing Hindi film of the year, surpassed only by Aankhen.^[4][1]

The film's soundtrack sold 10 million copies in India, becoming the year's third best-selling music album, behind Dilwale and Darr.^[5]

The song "Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai" ("What's Behind the Choli") sparked controversy due to its suggestive lyrics.^[6]

Khal Nayak was remade in Telugu as Khaidi No. 1 (1994),^[7] in Tamil as Hero,^[8] and in Punjabi as Billa (2002).

• Khal Nayak at
  IMDb
• Mumbai Mirror – "When the Bad Guy Ruled the Box Office"