Aaj(1987)
Aaj is a 1987 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Mahesh Bhatt. It stars Kumar Gaurav, Smita Patil, Raj Babbar, and Marc Zuber. The story follows a young journalist who helps a mentally challenged man find his missing sister. She uncovers a family secret involving murder and class prejudice. The film features a then-unknown Akshay Kumar in a small role. It is known for its emotional narrative and social commentary. The music was composed by Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh. The film was produced by Kuljeet Pal and released in 1987.
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 31 December 1987
- Director
- Mahesh Bhatt
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 1h 56m
- Rating
- 4.9/10
Storyline
A young journalist named Anjali meets Akshay, a man with a low IQ searching for his missing sister. She decides to help him. As she investigates, she uncovers a dark secret that connects her own wealthy family to the disappearance. She must choose between protecting her family and doing what is right.
“Today, the truth will be told.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Aaj
Cast reunions in this film: Raj Babbar & Smita Patil (14 films together), Raj Babbar & Raj Kiran (5 films together), Akshay Kumar & Raj Babbar (4 films together), Raj Kiran & Smita Patil (4 films together), Mahesh Bhatt & Smita Patil (2 films together), and Raj Babbar & Suresh Chatwal (2 films together).
Trivia
- The film was inspired by a real-life missing person case that director Mahesh Bhatt read about in the newspaper.
- It was one of the earliest films to feature actor Atul Agnihotri, who later married Salman Khan's sister Alvira.
- The movie's soundtrack includes a song composed by Bappi Lahiri, who was known for disco hits but created a more somber score here.
- Parts of the film were shot in Kolkata, capturing the city's urban landscape of the late 1980s.
- The script was co-written by Mahesh Bhatt and his frequent collaborator, writer Sujit Sen.
- Despite its serious theme, the film did not perform well commercially upon its release.
- Actress Smita Patil was initially considered for a key role but did not end up in the final cast.