Talking about films based on wrong women, the first image that strikes the memory is of Nutan in Bimal Roy's 'Bandini'. There have been many attempts to make films on women who are on the other side of the law in the Hindi film industry. Most of them were of 'B' or 'C' grades where producers presented heroines as Chmapakali or Ramkali. Women, who are wronged by their near and dear ones and land themselves in jail, were screened in 'Gumrah' where Sridevi portrayed the role. Madhuri Dixit tried to do the same role in 'Anjaam'. Interestingly, both these films failed to click at the box office.
Then comes 'Ek Hasina Thi'. The title makes it clear that the film revolves around a woman, but the conclusion is different from those in the earlier movies. The film makes you sit on edge of the seat throughout the film. Debutant director Sriram Raghavan succeeds in his maiden venture because he has a volatile script and also gets marvelous performances by his two main artistes, Urmila Matondkar and Saif Ali Khan. Both Urmila and Saif have experimented with their roles and are bound to surprise many. All the credit for such an experimental film goes to none other that Ram Gopal Verma whose company has now become the launch pad for deserving and talented people in Bollywood. Ram Gopal Verma and K Sera Sera have jointly produced 'Ek Hasina Thi'. Moreover, Sriram Raghavan is an FTTI graduate who earned fame for the first time when he made a short film on serial killer Raghavan for the small screen.
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'Ek Hasina Thi' is the story of love, affection, seduction, solace, deceit, mystery, manipulation and murder. Sriram Raghavan makes his film progress with certain plot points. It turns from where the film moves to a definite and yet afresh direction. The film is presented in three parts broadly. Sarika (Urmila Matondkar) is besotted by the charming and handsome Karan (Saif Ali Khan) or maybe the other way round. Sarika is a single workingwoman and when for the first time Karan helps her, she invites him for tea at her apartment. Karan makes some advances towards her and is thrown out of the flat. Not much water flows under the bridge until Karan saves Sarika again from some goons. What else Sarika could do now? She falls in love with this person who looks like a sage. But, beware! He is not a sage.
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Karan asks Sarika to look after one of his friends who has come to Mumbai for the first time. Sarika agrees to his proposal. However, this friend of Karan is found murdered leaving a bag full of money at Sarika's place. Sarika is caught and put behind the bars. Karan tells her to accept the 'guilt' in the court, as it will be easier for him to bring her out. She does so and is sent to prison for seven years. Sarika slowly realizes her mistake and vouches to take revenge on Karan. In prison she come in contact with some goons., and manages to come out of it. Now, she is a changed woman. From here a spate of chases begins. Sarika chases Karan to know his identity. Chase for Karan is on to save himself from the clutches of Sarika. And the chase for both to remain safe until they catch each other.
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Welcome 2004! 'Ek Hasina Thi' qualifies for the first hit film of the year. Though people have seen such things on silver screen before too, but the idea behind 'Ek Hasina Thi' is fresh. Filmed in and around Delhi, it has a good north Indian appeal and will cater to not only multiplex audiences but also those in small towns. The winning card is in Sriram Raghvan's hand. Raghavan has struggled hard in Mumbai to get his first break on silver screen and has put a lot of energy in his maiden venture.
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He is a brilliant technician who also knows how to narrate and unfold the story on screen without losing the grip. His way of narration makes him a master storyteller. His ability to get the camera and other departments to assist him aptly makes Raghavan a perfect filmmaker. Raghavan has taken utmost care to ensure that the story of the film remains primary and everything else is secondary. Ram Gopal Verma with 'Satya' set this trend, and an entire generation is ready now to take over from him.
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'Ek Hasina Thi' not only belongs to its technicians and directors, but it's also a brilliant example of untapped energy of Saif Ali Khan. He emerges as a new man from this film. Contrary to his image of nourishing films like 'Dil Chahta Hai' and 'Kal Ho Na Ho', in 'Ek Hasina Thi', he comes out as a totally different performer. Though Saif played a negative character in Kundan Shah's 'Kya Kehna' some years back, his acting in 'Ek Hasina Thi' is beyond comparison. It is his excellence that turns a grim prison film into an exciting thriller .The film also has some brilliant performances by Seema Biswas, Raika Oak and Pratima Kazmi, and is fully supported by its background music (Amar Mohile). Good camera work, better editing and stylish narration make 'Ek Hasina Thi' a perfect entertainer. It takes you on a ride where stark realities come as shocking things on the screen. 'Ek Hasina Thi' will go down as a cult film in the history of Hindi film industry and will fetch good money for its distributors in days to come.
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