Gang

About the film

Gang is a 2000 Indian Hindi-language gangster drama film directed by Mazhar Khan. The film stars Kumar Gaurav, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Javed Jaffrey, Juhi Chawla and Imtiaz Khan in pivotal roles. The film began production in 1989 and was delayed for 10 years because of casting changes, financial issues and director Mazhar Khan's ill health. After his death in 1998, his assistant director helped complete the film for release on 14 April 2000. The film was also the last to feature music by RD Burman, who died in 1994.

Plot

Four inseparable friends : Gangu, Abdul, Nihal, and Gary, form the criminal syndicate G.A.N.G., rooted in a bond of unwavering trust. Their ascent is challenged by a local rival, Tagdu, leading them to align with Lala, a veteran gangster with a moral code. However, internal friction arises when Abdul, driven by greed, pushes the group to work for the ruthless Girja Singh. A high-stakes heist involving a cadaver stuffed with cash leaves the group wealthy but marks them as targets.

The group’s descent into "extreme crime business" alienates Gangu’s lover, Sanam, and nearly dissolves their bond. Though they briefly reconcile, a brutal act of retaliation by Tagdu; the murder of Gary's sister, Tinnie, which ignites a bloody gang war. The conflict ends with Gangu serving a five-year prison sentence while his friends ostensibly move on.

Upon his release, Gangu finds his friends living lavishly, only to discover they are still deeply entrenched with Girja Singh. The consequences of their lifestyle soon turn fatal, Nihal’s drug addiction leads to the birth of his disabled child and the subsequent suicide of his wife, Divya. A broken Nihal embarks on a murderous rampage, landing him in custody.

Production

Director Mazhar Khan had started the project in 1989 which faced years of delays due to his ill-health, scheduling issues and casting changes. Vinod Mehra was part of the cast when the film was launched but died in 1990. Amjad Khan was cast as the main villain but replaced by his brother Imtiaz Khan after his death in 1992. Mazhar Khan died on 16 September 1998 due to kidney failure, thus keeping the remaining production work on hold. However, in 1999, Mashkoor Chowdhry, the assistant worked on the film's remaining direction, technical aspects and leftover production.

Soundtrack

The music of this movie was mainly composed by Anu Malik. R. D. Burman composed only one track, Chhodke Na Jana, sung by Asha Bhosle, for the film. But since the movie faced late release and his death, Mazhar Khan signed in Anu Malik for the composition. It can be noted that Anu Malik used some bits of the background score composed by Burman, of the movie, Caravan for the song Dil Hai Bechain in the late composer's remembrance. All of the songs are written by Javed Akhtar.

Key details