Qurbani

About the film

Qurbani (transl. Sacrifice) is a 1980 Indian Hindi-language musical romantic action thriller film produced, directed, co-written by and starring Feroz Khan (under the banner FK International). The film co-stars Vinod Khanna, Zeenat Aman, Amjad Khan, Shakti Kapoor, Aruna Irani, Amrish Puri and Kader Khan.

The film released on 20 June 1980 and was declared a blockbuster. It was the highest-grossing film of 1980. This film also won 2 Filmfare Awards.

Plot

Rajesh, a former motorcycle stuntman in a circus, is now a thief, expert in breaking open treasuries. In one such robbery, he is being watched by police inspector Amjad Khan. Sheela is a gorgeous disco club dancer and singer, Rajesh and Sheela are in love, but Rajesh has not disclosed to Sheela that he is a thief. Inspector Amjad Khan arrests Rajesh for theft after he is seen by an officer at a traffic accident. The court sentences Rajesh to two years imprisonment. Sheela is devastated after she realises Rajesh is a thief. Rajesh meets Vikram in jail, who along with his sister Jwaala, seeks revenge against crime boss Rakka, who cheated Jwaala and siphoned her money.

Meanwhile, Amar is a criminal in Rakka's gang who revolts against Rakka. He is a widower with a daughter Tina (Natasha Chopra) studying in a boarding school. Before quitting Rakka's gang, Amar has committed a crime, masked, and inspector Amjad Khan is investigating that case. Amar saves Sheela from a gang of rowdy bikers. They meet regularly as Sheela grows fond of Tina. Soon, Amar begins to love Sheela, who does not reciprocate because she still loves Rajesh. After a short time, Amar and Sheela get together.

Rajesh completes his prison sentence. Upon release, he meets Vikram who again reminds him of the deal to rob Rakka. During the conversation, Amar incidentally reaches the site and a fist fight ensues between Amar and Vikram. While fleeing, Vikram swears revenge against Amar. Thus Rajesh and Amar meet for the first time. Rajesh takes Amar to introduce him to Sheela; Sheela and Amar pretend as if they do not know each other since they don't want Rajesh to suspect them.

Production

The film had a production budget of ₹1.55 crore ($2 million). Filming began in 1979, and was one of the most expensive Indian films at the time. Feroz Khan's expenses included ₹23 lakh for a new camera, ₹5.3 lakh for several scenes (including a song sequence) on a large set (representing a Pathan's den), and ₹16,590 for an authentic silver sword. Cine Blitz suggested in 1979 that the production costs of Qurbani may exceed those of Abdullah, another similarly expensive production at the time.

To draw shock from the audience, a scene was included with the calculated decimation of a Mercedes-Benz in an underground parking lot. This was at a time when not many in India had seen a Mercedes, let alone sat in one.

UK stunts were designed and arranged by James Dowdall, photographed by Eric Van Herren and produced by Nick Farnes who, with James Dowdall, wrote the UK scenario.

Box office

The film was going to be released on 27 June 1980 and clash with Karz but the sudden demise of Sanjay Gandhi on 23 June 1980, resulted in the release postponed for one week and finally it was released on 30 June 1980 to become the biggest hit of the year, with a gross revenue of ₹13.8 crore (net income of ₹12.4 crore) at the Indian box office in 1980. This is equivalent to US$15.26 million in 1980, or US$60 million (₹330 crore) in 2018.

Music

Biddu was the music director for the song "Aap Jaisa Koi", which introduced him and Pakistani singer Nazia Hassan to Indian films. The first initial song Biddu recorded for Qurbani was a Hindi version of a Boney M. song. When Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan heard it, they refused saying they didn't want to sing a copy. They insisted they wanted an original song. A reluctant Biddu asked them what they had in mind. That's when "Aap Jaisa Koi" was born.

The movie is known for its music and songs, including the title qawwali "Qurbani Qurbani", written by the Urdu poet, Faruk Kaiser and rendered by

Kishore Kumar, Anwar, and Aziz Nazan. Qurbani Qurbani received a special award for 'The Most Amazing Evergreen Song' by Bollywood music producers, Kalyanji–Anandji.

Awards

Best Female Playback Singer – Nazia Hassan for "Aap Jaisa Koi"

Best Female Playback Singer – Kanchan for "Laila O Laila"

Remakes

Qurbani was remade in Turkish as Çare Sende Allah'ım directed by Yılmaz Atadeniz in 1984, which features Behçet Nacar in Feroz Khan's role and Müslüm Gürses in Vinod Khanna's role, and in Tamil as Viduthalai in 1986 by producer K. Balaji. The film had Rajnikant in Feroz Khan's role and Dr. Vishnuvardhan in Vinod Khanna's role and was shot in the United States, but was an average hit.

Key details