# Sarfarosh (1999 film)

Sarfarosh (transl. Fervent) is a 1999 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film written, produced and directed by John Matthew Matthan. The film, based on true events regarding state-sponsored terrorism taken place in India during 1990s, stars Naseeruddin Shah, Aamir Khan and Sonali Bendre, alongside Mukesh Rishi, Pradeep Rawat, Akhilendra Mishra, Makrand Deshpande, Shri Vallabh Vyas, Govind Namdev and Surekha Sikri. The soundtrack and musical score were composed by Jatin–Lalit and Sanjoy Chowdhury, while cinematography and editing were handled by Vikas Sivaraman and Jethu Mundul. The film revolves around an IPS officer's quest to eradicate cross-border terrorism.
Matthan started working on the film in 1992. Seven years were spent on the research, pre-production and production. It was finally released in 30 April 1999.
Sarfarosh was released just before the Kargil conflict when tensions between India and Pakistan were high. The film became commercially successful at the box office. The movie received praise for its cast performances, technical aspects, action sequences, music and script. The film won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film, and was screened at the International Film Festival of India. The film was remade in Kannada as Sathyameva Jayathe and in Telugu as Astram.

## Plot

Arms trafficking is taking place in India. Bala Thakur, a gun handler, provides the arms to Veeran, a brigand. Veeran and his gang attack a wedding bus, gunning down every person in it. The government appoints a Special Action Team in Mumbai to trace the attack.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Ajay Singh Rathod, a resident of Mumbai, attends a concert by famed ghazal singer, the elderly Gulfam Hassan, a Muhajir. Gulfam is Indian by birth but had to move to Pakistan as a child during the partition; deeply scarred by the experience, he is happy that the government allows him to live in his palatial residence whenever he comes to India. Gulfam finds a huge fan in Ajay, who used to attend his programs as a child, and the two bond. Ajay also reunites with Seema, whom he had a crush on when they were studying in Delhi. The duo falls in love.
Inspector Saleem, an honest policeman, is taken off the team when notorious gangster Sultan escapes his clutches. He is reprimanded for this failure and for causing the death of three officers in the attempt. Despite Saleem doing his duty sincerely, his senior officers look down upon him because he is a Muslim. When Ajay, who is younger, inexperienced and was mentored by Saleem himself before assuming charge, is told to head the team, Saleem is upset and refuses to take part in the investigation. Ajay's past is revealed: his father was going to testify against a terrorist, and in an attempt to stop them, Ajay's elder brother was killed. His father was kidnapped, and by the time the terrorists spared him, the man had lost his voice. This motivated Ajay to join the police force.
Gulfam is revealed to be working for the Pakistani intelligence, which is attempting to indulge in a proxy war with India. Since Gulfam likes Ajay, he sees to it that nothing happens to him. Saleem finds the location of Bala Thakur and Sultan and gives the information to Ajay, who convinces him to join the team again. An encounter with the criminals results in the death of Bala Thakur while Ajay is injured. Though Sultan escapes, the operation is a success as the team is able to intercept a consignment of lethal arms meant for terrorist Veeran. Sultan is assassinated on Gulfam's orders because of his failure, with false information relayed to Saleem's informer network that Sultan has escaped to Pakistan.
While recovering from his injuries in the hospital, Ajay narrates the events to Seema, when he has an epiphany. He goes back to the site with Seema's help where he finds a horoscope of Bala Thakur, which leads the team to Bahid in Rajasthan. Following his recovery, Ajay meets Gulfam in Bahid, who is temporarily staying in his ancestral manor. Gulfam's attempts to derail the investigation, even ordering an assault on Ajay, are of no avail. The repeated failures displease the Pakistani Intelligence, which dispatch Major Aslam Baig to take care of the business.
The team prepares for a final assault on the gun-running operation and ultimately land at Gulfam's mansion. Ajay feels betrayed when he learns of Gulfam's betrayal, but is aware of the lack of evidence to indict him for his crimes. He tricks Gulfam into killing Baig and arrests him for it. Gulfam reveals that he did what he did because of how his experiences during the partition hurt him. Ajay makes him realize that his actions are not benefiting any people of any religion, and Gulfam, unable to stand the humiliation and guilt, commits suicide. His suicide is hushed up, and the team returns to Mumbai to much accolades for busting the terrorist racket. Saleem is tipped on the whereabouts of Veeran, and Ajay embarks on another investigation with his team.

## Cast

* Naseeruddin Shah as Gulfam Hassan, the main antagonist, a Pakistani singer who works for ISI
* Aamir Khan as ACP Ajay Singh Rathod, Gulfam's friend/enemy and Seema's boyfriend
* Sonali Bendre as Seema Nagrath, Ajay's girlfriend
* Mukesh Rishi as Inspector Saleem Ahmed
* Akash Khurana as Mr. Rathod, Ajay's father
* Smita Jaykar as Mrs. Rathod, Ajay's mother
* Sukanya Kulkarni as Ajay's sister-in-law
* Akhilendra Mishra as Rambandhu Gupta / Mirchi Seth
* Ahmed Khan as Haji Seth
* Pradeep Rawat as Sultan Deep
* Makrand Deshpande as Shiva
* Shri Vallabh Vyas as Major Aslam Baig
* Rajesh Joshi as Bala Thakur
* Ali Khan as Captain Shafi
* Upasana Singh as Mala Sharma
* Salim Shah as Inspector Rajan Yadav
* Manoj Joshi as SI Bajju
* Ramesh Goyal as Hawaldar Rakesh Kadam
* Khodus Wadia as ISI General
* Anil Upadhyay as Fatka
* Govind Namdev as Veeran (special appearance)
* Surekha Sikri as Mrs. Deep, Sultan's mother (special appearance)
* Dinesh Kaushik as Roshan Nagrath, Seema's brother
* Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the goon in police custody which gives information after torture
* Ashok Lokhande as Chandrapur Hawaldar
* Dinesh Phadnis as a SI Crime Branch
* Sunil Shende as Deputy Commissioner of Police

## Music

The film's music was composed by Jatin–Lalit. Lyrics are penned by Israr Ansari, Nida Fazli, Sameer and Indeevar.
Vocals for Shah, Khan and Bendre were supplied by Jagjit Singh, Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik, respectively. The album also features the vocals of Kavita Krishnamurthy, Roop Kumar Rathod and Sonu Nigam.
Hosh Walon Ko Khabar Kya was penned by Nida Fazli, inspired by the Indian poet Kabirdas' verse Haman Hai Ishq Mastana. Jatin Pandit has specified that Jatin-Lalit recorded the ghazal with Bhupinder Singh, for whom it was originally composed, but on the insistence of the film's administrators and their request for a more popular ghazal singer, leading them to approach Jagjit Singh. Jatin noted that he made it a point to create a new tune for the Jagjit Singh version as to honor the work put in by Bhupinder Singh earlier.
All lyrics are written by Indeevar, Israr Ansari, Nida Fazli, Sameer; all music is composed by Jatin–Lalit

## Reception
### Critical response

Upon theatrical release, Sarfarosh received critical acclaim from film critics. Naseeruddin Shah was especially praised for his role of a Muhajir. The reviewer for Filmfare rated the film four stars out of five and wrote, "What makes this film so exceptional is its carefully thought out characterization and brilliant performances. Although this is his first film, director John Mathew Matthan draws perfectly crafted outputs from his entire cast. Aamir brings the role of A.C.P. Rathod to a never-before-seen dimension of reality." He further added, "Sarfarosh succeeds in connecting with the audiences, as it manages to transcend its medium and do a great deal more than just entertain."
Suparn Verma of Rediff.com felt that the film "manages to marry serious cinema with the commercial variety" and wrote that the "script has this no-nonsense look to it, clearly and succinctly establishing the protagonist's past ..." In addition to commending the acting performances of Naseeruddin Shah, Aamir Khan and Sonali Bendre, he lauded the departments of direction, music, choreography, and called the camerawork "good in parts but lack[ing] technical finesse".

## Accolades

| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
| Filmfare Awards | 13 February 2000 | Best Film | Sarfarosh | Nominated | [9] [10] [11] |
| Filmfare Awards | 13 February 2000 | Best Film (Critics) | John Matthew Matthan | Won | [9] [10] [11] |
| Filmfare Awards | 13 February 2000 | Best Director | John Matthew Matthan | Nominated | [9] [10] [11] |
| Filmfare Awards | 13 February 2000 | Best Screenplay | John Matthew Matthan | Won | [9] [10] [11] |
| Filmfare Awards | 13 February 2000 | Best Actor | Aamir Khan | Nominated | [9] [10] [11] |
| Filmfare Awards | 13 February 2000 | Best Supporting Actor | Mukesh Rishi | Nominated | [9] [10] [11] |
| Filmfare Awards | 13 February 2000 | Best Performance in a Negative Role | Naseeruddin Shah | Nominated | [9] [10] [11] |
| Filmfare Awards | 13 February 2000 | Best Music Director | Jatin–Lalit | Nominated | [9] [10] [11] |
| Filmfare Awards | 13 February 2000 | Best Lyricist | Israr Ansari – (for song "Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye") | Nominated | [9] [10] [11] |
| Filmfare Awards | 13 February 2000 | Best Dialogue | Hriday Lani, Pathik Vats | Won | [9] [10] [11] |
| Filmfare Awards | 13 February 2000 | Best Editing | Jethu Mundul | Won | [9] [10] [11] |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | 24 June 2000 | Best Film | Sarfarosh | Nominated | [12] [13] [14] |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | 24 June 2000 | Best Director | John Matthew Matthan | Nominated | [12] [13] [14] |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | 24 June 2000 | Best Story | John Matthew Matthan | Nominated | [12] [13] [14] |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | 24 June 2000 | Best Actor | Aamir Khan | Nominated | [12] [13] [14] |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | 24 June 2000 | Best Actress | Sonali Bendre | Nominated | [12] [13] [14] |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | 24 June 2000 | Best Supporting Actor | Mukesh Rishi | Nominated | [12] [13] [14] |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | 24 June 2000 | Best Performance in a Negative Role | Naseeruddin Shah | Won | [12] [13] [14] |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | 24 June 2000 | Best Lyricist | Israr Ansari – (for song "Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye") | Nominated | [12] [13] [14] |
| International Indian Film Academy Awards | 24 June 2000 | Best Art Direction | Keshto Mandal | Won | [12] [13] [14] |
| National Film Awards | 18 September 2000 | Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment | Producer: John Matthew Matthan Director: John Matthew Matthan | Won | |
| Screen Awards | 23 January 2000 | Best Film | Sarfarosh | Nominated | [16] [17] |
| Screen Awards | 23 January 2000 | Best Director | John Matthew Matthan | Nominated | [16] [17] |
| Screen Awards | 23 January 2000 | Most Promising Debut Director | John Matthew Matthan | Won | [16] [17] |
| Screen Awards | 23 January 2000 | Best Story | John Matthew Matthan | Won | [16] [17] |
| Screen Awards | 23 January 2000 | Best Screenplay | John Matthew Matthan | Nominated | [16] [17] |
| Screen Awards | 23 January 2000 | Best Actor | Aamir Khan | Nominated | [16] [17] |
| Screen Awards | 23 January 2000 | Best Supporting Actor | Mukesh Rishi | Nominated | [16] [17] |
| Screen Awards | 23 January 2000 | Best Lyricist | Israr Ansari – (for song "Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye") | Nominated | [16] [17] |
| Screen Awards | 23 January 2000 | Best Dialogue | Hriday Lani, Pathik Vats | Nominated | [16] [17] |
| Screen Awards | 23 January 2000 | Best Editing | Jethu Mundul | Won | [16] [17] |
| Zee Cine Awards | 11 March 2000 | Best Director | John Matthew Matthan | Nominated | [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] |
| Zee Cine Awards | 11 March 2000 | Best Screenplay | John Matthew Matthan | Nominated | [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] |
| Zee Cine Awards | 11 March 2000 | Best Actor – Male | Aamir Khan | Won | [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] |
| Zee Cine Awards | 11 March 2000 | Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male | Mukesh Rishi | Nominated | [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] |
| Zee Cine Awards | 11 March 2000 | Best Performance in a Negative Role | Naseeruddin Shah | Nominated | [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] |
| Zee Cine Awards | 11 March 2000 | Best Lyricist | Israr Ansari – (for song "Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye") | Nominated | [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] |
| Zee Cine Awards | 11 March 2000 | Best Dialogue | Hriday Lani, Pathik Vats | Nominated | [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] |
| Zee Cine Awards | 11 March 2000 | Best Action | Abbas–Hanif | Nominated | [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] |
| Zee Cine Awards | 11 March 2000 | Best Make Up Artist | Deepak Bhatee | Won | [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] |
| Zee Cine Awards | 11 March 2000 | Best Art Direction | Keshto Mandal | Nominated | [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] |
| Zee Cine Awards | 11 March 2000 | Best Sound Recording | Namita Nayak | Nominated | [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] |