Shart(1986)
Shart is a 1986 Hindi-language crime thriller film directed by Ketan Anand. The film stars Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Kanwaljit Singh, Sarika, and Tom Alter. The story follows Inspector Arjun Dutt as he investigates a series of brutal murders of prostitutes in the city. The only clue is a torn piece of a photograph. Dutt discovers that the killer is his close friend Vikram, who leads a double life as Devendra. The investigation becomes personal as both men love the same woman, Kiran. The film explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the dark side of revenge. It was released on 21 February 1986.
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 31 December 1986
- Director
- Ketan Anand
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 15m
- Rating
- 4.2/10
Storyline
Inspector Arjun Dutt must catch a serial killer targeting prostitutes. The only clue is a torn photograph. He discovers the killer is his best friend, Vikram. Both men love the same woman, Kiran. Arjun must choose between his duty and his friendship.
“A friend or a killer?”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Shart
Cast reunions in this film: Naseeruddin Shah & Shabana Azmi (14 films together), Naseeruddin Shah & Dina Pathak (6 films together), Sarika & Tom Alter (3 films together), Sarika & Shabana Azmi (2 films together), Bappi Lahiri & Shabana Azmi (2 films together), and Shabana Azmi & Kanwaljit Singh (2 films together).
Trivia
- The film's director Ketan Anand is the son of acclaimed filmmaker Chetan Anand and nephew of legendary actor Dev Anand.
- Shart was originally titled 'Maut Ka Saudagar' but was renamed before release, a common practice in 1980s Bollywood.
- The film's music was composed by Bappi Lahiri, known for his disco hits, but the soundtrack did not become a major commercial success.
- Actor Mithun Chakraborty, who played Inspector Arjun, was at the peak of his 'disco dancer' fame but took on this serious thriller role.
- A key plot device involves a torn photograph, a classic mystery trope also used in earlier Hindi films like 'Gumnaam'.
- The movie blends horror and thriller elements, which was a popular but risky genre mix in mid-80s Bollywood cinema.
- Shart is not widely remembered today but is an example of the many mid-budget thrillers produced during the 1980s.