Cast:- Vinod Khanna, Amrita Singh, Juhi Chawla, Alok Nath, Bhushan Jeevan, Kiran Kumar, Suresh Oberoi and Aftab Shivdasani Music:- Kalyanj...
Cast:- Vinod Khanna, Amrita Singh, Juhi Chawla, Alok Nath, Bhushan Jeevan, Kiran Kumar, Suresh Oberoi and Aftab Shivdasani
Music:- Kalyanji Anandji
Direction:- Ajay Goel
As a lifelong fan of Bollywood’s action-packed crime dramas, I recently revisited C.I.D. (released on 25th May 1990), a film that promised high-stakes thrills and a gritty battle against organized crime. Directed by Ajay Goel and produced by Brij Sadanah, this film is a loose adaptation of the Hollywood classic Witness (1985), starring Harrison Ford. While it carries the Bollywood flair of melodrama, romance, and music, C.I.D. attempts to weave a suspenseful narrative around a cop’s relentless pursuit of justice. What caught my attention right away were the striking eyes in the title credits—those belong to none other than Kamal Sadanah, who also served as the film’s associate producer. With a stellar cast including Vinod Khanna, Amrita Singh, and Juhi Chawla, I was eager to see how this 90s crime caper holds up today.
Storyline:
C.I.D. follows Inspector Veer Sehgal (Vinod
Khanna), a determined officer waging a one-man war against the notorious drug
and gold smuggling kingpin Roshan Lala (Kiran Kumar). The plot borrows heavily
from Witness, where a key crime is observed by unlikely bystanders, setting off
a chain of dramatic events. Here, Veer’s struggle to bring Roshan Lala to
justice is thwarted by the criminal’s terrifying influence—no witness dares
testify against him. In a desperate move, Veer plants an undercover officer, Raksha
Mehra (Juhi Chawla), within Roshan’s organization. When her cover is blown,
she’s brutally gunned down in a deserted street, a murder witnessed by Mr. and
Mrs. Saxena, a respectable couple whose daughter Meghna (Amrita Singh) is
engaged to Veer.
The story takes a personal turn as Veer’s mission
intertwines with his love life. Meghna blames Veer for a wedge in their
relationship leading to heartbreak and a years-long separation. The narrative
jumps forward, introducing Meghna’s son, who becomes the sole witness to
another murder orchestrated by Roshan Lala. The plot keeps you hooked with its
mix of crime, betrayal, and emotional stakes, though it stumbles with pacing
issues and some predictable Bollywood tropes. The Witness-inspired premise of an
innocent child caught in a dangerous game is engaging, but the film leans
heavily on melodrama, which sometimes dilutes the suspense. Still, for a 90s
Bollywood flick, it delivers enough twists to keep you invested.
Direction and Technical Departments:
Ajay Goel’s direction in C.I.D. is a mixed bag. As
a second time director, he shows ambition in tackling a crime thriller inspired
by a Hollywood hit, but the execution doesn’t always match the vision. The
film’s pacing falters in the second half, with extended melodramatic sequences
that slow down the momentum. Goel does a decent job of capturing the gritty
underworld atmosphere, particularly in scenes depicting Roshan Lala’s
operations, but the cinematography feels dated, lacking the polish of its Hollywood
counterpart. The action sequences, while raw and intense for the time, don’t
quite match the finesse of 90s Bollywood blockbusters like Ghayal or
Tridev.
The editing could have been tighter, especially in
the courtroom and flashback scenes, which feel unnecessarily drawn out. The
production design, credited to Brij Sadanah’s team, effectively contrasts the
urban chaos of Mumbai with the ashram. However, the film’s reliance on clichéd
Bollywood elements—like sudden song sequences—sometimes disrupts the thriller
vibe. Overall, the technical aspects are quite good.
Music and Performances:
The soundtrack, composed by Kalyanji-Anandji with
lyrics by Anjaan, is a highlight, featuring three distinct songs by Kishore
Kumar, Amit Kumar, and Kumar Sanu—a rare feat for a single film. The track
“Teri Na Na Na,” sung by Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik, is catchy and
well-picturized, though its placement feels jarring in the film’s tense
narrative. Sapna kahoon is the last song Kishore Kumar sang for Vinod Khanna
and it's a lilting, cute number. Another song, featuring Juhi Chawla in a
provocative dance number with Kiran Kumar, became a talking point for its bold
choreography, reminiscent of earlier Bollywood item numbers. Juhi later
expressed regret over the sequence, feeling it was too risqué.
Vinod Khanna delivers a commanding performance as
Inspector Veer, balancing intensity and vulnerability. His portrayal of a cop
torn between duty and personal loss is the film’s emotional anchor. Amrita
Singh shines as Meghna, bringing depth to a character caught in a whirlwind of
grief and love. Juhi Chawla, though underutilized, leaves an impression in her
limited screen time, her tragic arc adding weight to the story. Aftab
Shivdasani looks cute and even at that young age delivers a memorable
performance. Kiran Kumar’s Roshan Lala is suitably menacing, though his
character lacks the complexity of a truly memorable villain. Supporting actors
like Suresh Oberoi, Bhushan Jeevan and Aloknath deliver solid performances, but
the spotlight remains on the leads. The performances elevate the film, making
up for some of its narrative and technical shortcomings.
Conclusion:
Watching C.I.D. in 2025, it’s clear the film is a product of its time—a 90s Bollywood crime drama that tries to blend Hollywood-inspired suspense with desi melodrama. While it doesn’t fully capture the tautness of Witness, it offers enough thrills, emotional stakes, and star power to keep you engaged. Vinod Khanna and Amrita Singh’s heartfelt performances, paired with a memorable soundtrack, make it a nostalgic watch for fans of the era. Kamal Sadanah’s haunting eyes in the titles and his role as associate producer add a unique trivia layer to the experience. Though flawed in pacing and execution, C.I.D. remains a decent one-time watch, especially for those who love exploring Bollywood’s take on global cinema trends. If you’re in the mood for a dose of 90s action with a touch of romance and drama, this film still has some spark.
The film failed miserably at the box office which led to the
devastation of Brij as a producer leading to his death.
-by Ayushman Mitra
No comments