Ek Hasina Thi(2003)
Ek Hasina Thi is a 2004 Indian Hindi-language neo-noir romantic thriller film directed by Sriram Raghavan in his directorial debut. The film stars Urmila Matondkar as Sarika Vartak and Saif Ali Khan as Karan Singh Rathod. The story follows a trusting woman who is framed for a crime by her lover and sent to prison, where she transforms into a ruthless avenger. The film borrows elements from Sidney Sheldon's novel If Tomorrow Comes and the film Double Jeopardy. It premiered at the New York Asian Film Festival before its Indian release on 16 January 2004. Although a commercial failure, the film is now considered a cult classic and is praised for Matondkar and Khan's performances.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Prime Video, Ultra Play
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 2003
- Director
- Sriram Raghavan
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h
- Rating
- 6.9/10
Storyline
Sarika, a lonely travel agent in Mumbai, falls for the charming Karan. He betrays her by framing her for a crime, sending her to prison for seven years. Inside, she transforms from a scared victim into a fearless fighter. She escapes and hunts down Karan, seeking revenge for destroying her life.
“Love betrayed. Revenge unleashed.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Ek Hasina Thi
Cast reunions in this film: Zakir Hussain & Amar Mohile (4 films together), Urmila Matondkar & Seema Biswas (3 films together), Ravi Kale & Zakir Hussain (2 films together), Urmila Matondkar & Zakir Hussain (2 films together), and Zakir Hussain & Sriram Raghavan (2 films together).
Trivia
- The film was inspired by a real-life case of a woman wrongfully imprisoned, which director Sriram Raghavan read about in a newspaper.
- Urmila Matondkar's character undergoes a dramatic physical transformation, which she prepared for by learning self-defense and altering her posture.
- The movie's title is a twist on a famous line from the classic Hindi film 'Mughal-e-Azam,' playing on the idea of an innocent woman turning vengeful.
- Saif Ali Khan's character was written to be charming yet sinister, a departure from his typical romantic hero roles at the time.
- The film was shot in just 45 days, with a tight schedule to keep the production lean and focused on its thriller pacing.
- Despite being a critical success, it had a modest box office opening but later gained a strong cult following on home video and television.
- The background score uses subtle nods to 1970s Hindi revenge thrillers, blending old-school tension with a modern narrative.