Ek Hasina Thi (2004)

English Translation: There was a beautiful woman

Director: Sriram Raghavan

Story: Sriram Raghavan, Pooja Ladha Surti

Cast: Urmila Matdonkar, Saif Ali Khan

Music: Amar Mohile

Time: 137 minutes

Bottom-line: Unconventional for an Indian film, but a chilling revenge drama

Loosely based on (my favourite) Sidney Sheldon’s novel If Tomorrow Comes, Sriram Raghavan’s Ek Hasina Thi is a revenge drama that lies strongly on the performances of Urmila Matdonkar and Saif Ali Khan. I’m surprised this film did not receive the recognition it deserved; in fact, I got to know about this thanks to a “lesser-known Bollywood thrillers” compilation.

Sarika (Urmila) works at a travel agency, leading an uneventful life. One day, a rich, suave businessman, Karan Rathod (Saif) comes to her workplace, and soon starts following and stalking her. Soon, the relationship starts getting intimate, despite the initial hostility. Few days later, Karan informs Sarika that his friend would come to stay there for a few hours, and she agrees to play host. He leaves abruptly, keeping his suitcase in her custody. Moments after, the friend is revealed to be a gangster and is murdered. Sarika is arrested for his murder, as she had his suitcase; she’s later sentenced to seven years in jail. Sarika struggles in prison, hoping that Karan will rescue her. Meanwhile, we see that Karan is also part of the underworld, and he had set her up. As Sarika realises this, she decides it’s time for revenge.

 

Saif as Karan

With no songs, no happily-ever-after climax, and importantly, with a female hero, Ek Hasina Thi is one of the most unconventional Indian films you will ever see. The beginning is similar to Sigappu Rojakkal, the Tamil film starring Kamal Hassan and Sridevi, where a similar romance between a businessman and a salesgirl blooms into something far more sinister. There aren’t as many plot twists as the novel, but the ones in this film are pretty effective.   

 

Urmila as Sarika

Her role as Sarika is probably Urmila Matdonkar’s career-best performance (along with her role in Kaun). The transition her character undergoes from the innocent and naïve person to the fearless avenger is brilliantly portrayed – look out for the scene where Karan and her “lawyer” convince her to wait patiently, and she realises that Karan is manipulating her. The way Sarika acts, pretending to be innocent later, is also equally good. Saif Ali Khan’s smooth, manipulative character will make you burn in anger, which goes on to prove what a good job he has done. Of course, there are instances of overacting, especially with his put-on accent for English. The mind games they play with each other is the best part of the film, because one doesn’t know how much the other knows, but we, the audience, know everything that's happening. Just when you think Sarika is winning, Karan pulls a fast one. Another interesting part of the story is how slowly, gradually Karan wins over Sarika and tricks her into falling in love with him.

The climax of the film is fitting and just, even if it’s not ideal, with both characters getting what they deserve. With a fairly tight storyline, solid acting and an unorthodox climax, Ek Hasina Thi is a thriller you should not miss.   

My Rating: 4/5