Marte Dam Tak Full Story Explained (1987)
Imagine an honest cop who gets framed and sent to prison. When he comes out, he is not a policeman anymore. He becomes a criminal himself. That is the story of Marte Dam Tak, a 1987 Hindi action film. The movie stars the legendary Raaj Kumar as Inspector Rane, who later turns into a gangster named Rana. Young Govinda plays Jai, a hitman with a heart. The film released on July 17, 1987. It is a raw story of revenge, betrayal, and the blurry line between good and bad. Directed by Mehul Kumar, this film is a classic example of 80s Bollywood action drama. It is full of intense moments, powerful dialogues, and a gripping cat-and-mouse chase.
The Honest Cop Falls
Inspector Rane is a good police officer. He wants to arrest the dangerous gangster P.C. Mathur. But Mathur is clever and powerful. He frames Rane for a murder he did not commit. Rane is arrested and put on trial. The judge sends him to prison for five years. Rane loses everything — his job, his respect, and his freedom.
Full Plot
Marte Dam Tak is the story of Sub-Inspector Rane, an honest police officer who wants to put the notorious gangster P.C. Mathur behind bars. Rane is a dedicated cop who believes in justice. But Mathur is a powerful and ruthless criminal. He has influence over the police and the courts. Mathur frames Rane for a murder. Rane is arrested, put on trial, and sentenced to five years in prison. The judge, Rameshwar Dayal, has no choice but to convict him. Rane loses his job, his reputation, and his freedom.
After serving his five-year sentence, Rane is released from prison. But he is not the same man. The system failed him. He no longer believes in the law. He changes his name to Rana and becomes a powerful underworld operator. His only goal is to find P.C. Mathur and kill him. Rana builds a network of criminals and informants. He becomes a feared figure in the underworld. But he needs a skilled killer to help him.
Rana hires Jai, a young and talented hitman. Jai is good at his job but has a conscience. Rana gives Jai the task of killing P.C. Mathur. Jai accepts the contract and goes to execute the plan. But something goes wrong. Jai kills the wrong person by mistake. The failure fills him with guilt and anger. Jai decides to leave the life of crime behind. He wants to start fresh and focus on his family. He leaves Rana alone.
Now Rana must hunt down Mathur by himself. Mathur's gang is large and well-armed. They try to kill Rana multiple times. But Rana is clever and experienced. He survives every attack and fights back. The chase becomes personal and brutal. Rana discovers that Mathur has connections everywhere — in the police, the courts, and the underworld. Mathur is not just a gangster; he is a system. Rana realizes that killing him will be nearly impossible.
Mathur's men eventually corner Rana. They beat him severely and leave him for dead. Rana lies on the ground, broken and alone. It seems like Mathur has won. But Rana finds a last reserve of strength. He refuses to give up. He recovers and goes after Mathur one final time. He tracks Mathur to his hideout. A fierce battle takes place. Rana fights through Mathur's men and finally reaches him.
In the final confrontation, Rana kills P.C. Mathur. His revenge is complete. But Rana feels no satisfaction. He looks at Mathur's dead body and feels empty. He has lost everything — his identity, his peace, and his soul. The victory is hollow. Rana walks away into the darkness, a broken man. The film ends on a somber note, showing the cost of revenge.
Act Breakdown
The Honest Cop
We meet Inspector Rane, an honest police officer. He wants to arrest gangster P.C. Mathur. But Mathur frames Rane for murder. Rane is sentenced to five years in prison. His life is destroyed.
The Transformation
Rane is released from prison. He becomes a criminal named Rana. He hires hitman Jai to kill Mathur. Jai makes a mistake and kills the wrong person. Jai leaves the crime world. Rana is alone.
The Lone Hunt
Rana hunts Mathur by himself. Mathur's gang tries to kill him. Rana survives and fights back. He discovers how powerful Mathur really is. Mathur's men corner and beat Rana. He is left for dead.
The Final Showdown
Rana recovers and goes after Mathur one last time. He tracks him to his hideout. A brutal fight takes place. Rana kills Mathur. But he feels empty and broken. He walks away into the darkness.
Characters
Sub-Inspector Rane / Rana
Played by Raaj Kumar
Rane is an honest police officer who gets framed by gangster P.C. Mathur. He spends five years in prison. After his release, he becomes a criminal named Rana. His only goal is to kill Mathur. In the end, he succeeds but feels empty and broken.
Jai
Played by Govinda
Jai is a young hitman hired by Rana to kill P.C. Mathur. He makes a mistake and kills the wrong person. This fills him with guilt. He gives up crime to focus on his family. He leaves Rana to fight alone.
Jyoti
Played by Farah
Jyoti is the love interest in the film. She is connected to Jai. Her role adds an emotional layer to Jai's decision to leave crime. She represents the peaceful life Jai wants.
P.C. Mathur
Played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda
Mathur is the main villain. He is a powerful and ruthless gangster. He frames Inspector Rane for murder. He has connections everywhere. Rana kills him in the final showdown.
Rikku
Played by Shakti Kapoor
Rikku is a supporting character in the criminal world. He is part of Mathur's network. He adds to the danger Rana faces. His role is typical of Shakti Kapoor's villainous characters from that era.
Daulat / D.K.
Played by Om Puri
Daulat is another figure in the underworld. He is connected to both Mathur and Rana. He represents the complex web of crime. His character adds depth to the criminal world.
Scene Highlights
Rane's Arrest
Inspector Rane is arrested for a murder he did not commit. He is handcuffed in front of his colleagues. His face shows shock and betrayal. The scene sets up the entire story. It makes the audience feel Rane's pain.
Jai's Mistake
Jai goes to kill P.C. Mathur. But he kills the wrong person by mistake. He looks at the dead body in horror. His hands shake. The guilt is immediate and heavy. This scene changes Jai's entire path.
Rana Beaten
Mathur's men corner Rana. They beat him brutally. Rana falls to the ground, bleeding. He is alone and hopeless. The scene is raw and painful. It shows Rana at his lowest point.
The Final Fight
Rana fights through Mathur's men to reach him. The fight is intense and violent. Rana uses his fists and weapons. Finally, he stands before Mathur. The tension is unbearable.
Rana Kills Mathur
Rana kills P.C. Mathur. He looks at the dead body. His face shows no joy, only emptiness. He walks away slowly. The scene is powerful and sad. It shows the true cost of revenge.
Cast & Context
Marte Dam Tak brings together two generations of Bollywood stars. Raaj Kumar was a legendary actor known for his deep voice and powerful dialogue delivery. He had already delivered classics like Mother India and Pakeezah. Govinda was a rising star in the 80s, known for his dance and action roles. This film was one of their early collaborations. Farah, the female lead, was a popular actress in the 80s. The film also features veteran actors like Om Puri, Paresh Rawal, and Shakti Kapoor. This casting gave the film a mix of experience and young energy.
Themes
Revenge and Justice
Rane wants justice, but the system fails him. So he takes revenge into his own hands. The film shows that when the law is broken, people become their own judges. Rana's revenge gives him nothing but emptiness.
The Cost of Crime
Jai makes a mistake and kills an innocent person. He is filled with guilt. He gives up crime to save his family. The film shows that crime destroys everyone involved, even the criminals.
Identity and Transformation
Rane loses his identity as a police officer. He becomes Rana, a criminal. The film asks: can a good man become bad? Rane's transformation shows how the system can turn a hero into a villain.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Rana trusts Jai to kill Mathur. But Jai fails and leaves. Rana is left alone. The film shows that in the criminal world, loyalty is rare. Betrayal is common. Rana must rely only on himself.
Music & Soundtrack
ComposerRavindra Jain
The music of Marte Dam Tak was composed by Ravindra Jain. The song 'Chhodenge Na Hum Tera Sath, O Sathi, Marte Dam Tak' became a popular hit. It captures the emotional bond between characters. The soundtrack adds to the film's dramatic and action-packed mood.
Similar Films
Both films feature a hero who is framed and seeks revenge. They share a similar tone of 80s action and drama.
Both films have a revenge plot where the hero turns to crime after being wronged. The emotional arc is similar.
Directed by the same director Mehul Kumar, this film also stars Raaj Kumar in an action role. The style and intensity are similar.
Another Raaj Kumar film with a crime and revenge plot. The tone and setting are very close to Marte Dam Tak.
Ending Explained
In the final scenes, Rana tracks down P.C. Mathur to his hideout. A brutal fight breaks out. Rana fights through Mathur's men, using all his strength and skill. Finally, he stands face to face with Mathur. The two enemies have their final confrontation. Rana kills Mathur. His revenge is complete. But Rana does not feel victorious. He looks at Mathur's dead body and feels nothing but emptiness. He has lost everything — his job, his identity, his peace of mind, and his soul. The victory is hollow. Rana walks away into the darkness, a broken and lonely man. The director leaves the audience with a powerful message: revenge does not heal wounds. It only creates more pain. Rane started as a hero and ended as a lost soul. The film ends on a somber, thought-provoking note.
Marte Dam Tak is a must-watch for fans of 80s Bollywood action. Raaj Kumar delivers a powerful performance as the broken hero. Govinda adds emotional depth as the conflicted hitman. The story is simple but effective. The film has strong action scenes and a meaningful ending. Some parts may feel slow by modern standards. But the emotional core is solid. If you love revenge dramas with a dark twist, this film is for you. It is a classic that deserves more attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Marte Dam Tak is a solid 80s Bollywood action film. It has strong performances from Raaj Kumar and Govinda. The story is engaging and emotional. If you like classic revenge dramas, you will enjoy this film.
The main villain is P.C. Mathur, played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda. He is a powerful and ruthless gangster. He frames the hero and becomes the target of revenge.
Marte Dam Tak is a Hindi phrase. It means 'until the last breath' or 'till death'. The title reflects the hero's determination to fight until the very end.
Yes, Govinda plays Jai, a young hitman. His role is important to the story. He makes a mistake that changes the plot. His character adds emotional depth to the film.
Marte Dam Tak was directed by Mehul Kumar. He is known for making action and crime films. He also directed other hits like Tirangaa and Suryaa: An Awakening.