Amba(1990)
Amba is a 1990 Indian Hindi-language drama film produced and directed by Mohan Kumar. The cast includes Shabana Azmi in the title role, alongside Anil Kapoor, Meenakshi Seshadri, Kiran Juneja, and Shabana Azmi. The story centers on Amba Bhanupratap Singh, a village head who testifies against her own son after he commits a murder. This decision triggers a cycle of revenge from her daughter-in-law Prabha. The film explores themes of justice, maternal duty, and the consequences of vengeance. Critics praised Shabana Azmi's performance, though some found the film's melodramatic tone dated. The soundtrack features lyrics by Anand Bakshi and songs by Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Aziz. The film was released in 1990 in theaters across India.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Zee5
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 1990
- Director
- Mohan Kumar
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 40m
- Rating
- 3.5/10
Storyline
Amba is a principled village head who raises two sons alone. Her eldest son Rajendra commits a terrible crime: he murders a young servant girl. Amba chooses justice over family and testifies against him, leading to his execution. Her daughter-in-law Prabha swears revenge and plots to destroy Amba and her remaining son Suraj.
“A mother's love put to the ultimate test”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Amba
Cast reunions in this film: Meenakshi Seshadri & Anil Kapoor (6 films together), and Anil Kapoor & Shabana Azmi (3 films together).
Trivia
- The film was originally titled 'Maa' but was changed to 'Amba' to avoid confusion with another film.
- Director Mohan Kumar was known for social dramas, but this was his only film to blend family drama with a crime plot.
- Actress Smita Patil was initially considered for a role, but the part eventually went to another performer.
- The movie's soundtrack includes a rare classical-based song composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, which was not widely promoted.
- It was one of the few 1990s films to directly address sexual assault within a household, a bold theme for its time.
- The film had a limited theatrical release, primarily in urban centers, and did not perform well commercially.
- A subplot involving a courtroom drama was trimmed before release to shorten the runtime.