Starcast: Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Govinda, Kimi Katkar, Deepa Sahi, Shilpa Shirodkar, Baby Tabassum, Kader Khan, Shiva Rindani, Ann...
Starcast: Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Govinda, Kimi Katkar, Deepa Sahi, Shilpa Shirodkar, Baby Tabassum, Kader Khan, Shiva Rindani, Annu Kapoor, Danny Denzongpa and Anupam Kher.
Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal
Direction: Mukul S Anand
"Hum", released in February 1991, is one of those Bollywood
flicks that just hits different every time I pop it even now. Directed by Mukul
S. Anand, it's got Amitabh Bachchan at his absolute peak as the brooding Tiger,
mixed with all the masala you could want—action, drama, comedy, songs that
stick in your head for days. Clocking in at over three hours, it's a wild ride
about family, revenge, and redemption that feels like a time capsule of early
90's.
The story kicks off gritty. Tiger's this tough-as-nails guy working for the
local don Bhakhtawar (Danny Denzongpa chewing the scenery like nobody's
business). But when Bhaktawar kills Tiger's girlfriend Jumma's brother (Romesh
Sharma), Tiger snaps and vows payback, leading to a massive showdown. Fast
forward, Tiger fakes his death, changes his name to Shekhar, and builds a
normal life with his two stepbrothers Vijay (Govinda, all cheeky energy) and
Kumar (Rajinikanth, bringing that South superstar swag). They got families
now—wives, kids, the works—and things are cool until the past comes knocking.
Bhaktawar's back, angrier than ever, and there's this slimy side villain
Girdhar (Anupam Kher ) stirring up trouble with shady arms deals and family
betrayals.
What makes it work is how it balances the heavy stuff with pure fun. The first
half is straight fire—Amitabh owning every fight scene, brooding with that
signature intensity, reminding you why he was the angry young man king even
pushing 50. Then it shifts gears into family vibes, with hilarious drunk scenes
(classic Big B slurring one-liners) and those emotional brotherly bonds that
tug at you. Mukul Anand nails the pacing somehow; it's long but never drags.
The cast is seriously loaded. Amitabh carries it on his back, winning Filmfare
Best Actor for good reason—his transformation from street goon to family man
feels real, especially in those tender moments with Shilpa Shirodkar and Deepa
Sahi as the leading ladies. Govinda's comic timing is gold; his dance moves and
banter with Rajini keep things light. Rajinikanth doesn't overstay but steals
scenes with his cool-guy charm and stunts, and it's cool seeing him and Big B
together. Kimi Katkar lights up as Jumma, especially in that iconic "Jumma
Chumma De De" song—total party starter that had theaters going nuts back then,
and it still slaps at weddings today. Danny as Bhaktawar is peak villainy, with
that mustache and growl you love to hate. Kader Khan adds solid laughs as the
upright general and the buffoon theatre actor, and Anupam Kher's Girdhar is a
sneaky standout with his haryanvi accent. Annu Kapoot provides solid support.
So does Shiva as captain Zatack.
Songs are another high point— Laxmikant-Pyarelal at their best, with catchy
beats like the title track "Hum" belted by Kavita Krishnamurthy, Mohd
Aziz and Sudesh Bhosle who sounds like Amitabh. "Jumma Chumma" is
legendary for its energy, filmed on a massive old leviathan ship with hundreds
dancing; it basically redefined item numbers. "Sanam mere sanam" is a sensuous, lilting track amazingly sung by Amit Kumar and Alka Yagnik. Even the
background score amps up the ante.
Sure, it's not flawless. Some plot twists feel convenient, and the ending's a
bit chaotic with bombs and dock fights. But thats the charm . It's unapologetic
entertainment, blending revenge thriller with family soap and comedy without
missing a beat. Compared to Mukul's other stuff like "Agneepath",
this one's lighter, more fun, less dark—perfect for a lazy weekend .
Rewatching it now, in 2026, it holds up surprisingly well. The action's dated
by today's VFX standards, but the stunts feel raw and real. It's nostalgic as
hell for anyone who grew up on VHS rentals, evoking that era when Amitabh was
still the boss before the Khan era ushered in.
Overall, if you dig old-school Bollywood with heart, brawn, and beats then go
for it!! Hum's not just a movie; it's a vibe that screams '90s India.
By Ayushmaan Mitra
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