Ek Hasina Thi
Tags: revenge, murder, violence, romantic

Plot synopsis:
Karan is a rich, suave businessman. But he can also be very possessive of Sarika. His temper can flare at slightest pretext. After Karan involves Sarika in looking after a suitcase full of illegal firearms belonging to his friend, a hitman, she is arrested for having links with the underworld and is remanded to judicial custody. Karan claims innocence to her and sends her a defense attorney to fight her case. The attorney advises her to confess the crime, arguing that there is no proof exonerating her.
After being convinced that the judge will give her a light sentence and might even set her free for co-operation, Sarika complies. But, the judge sentences her to seven years hard labour without parole. Sarika then realizes that Karan is an associate to the underworld and that he had her framed to keep police eyes away from him. This realization is soon followed by the death of her father, the ongoing ordeal of prison life and hatred towards Karan. She beats up an abusive inmate Gomati who constantly bullies her. An elder inmate Pramila (Pratima Kazmi), who has contacts outside the prison, decides to help her. Sarika undergoes a complete change of appearance.
Sarika changes from inside and outside which begins with her getting rid of her fear of rats. ACP Malti Vaidya (Seema Biswas) sets out to find Sarika after she escapes from prison. She first confronts Mathur, killing him after learning Karan's whereabouts. She is angered to see Karan enjoying his life with a new girl. With the news of Mathur's mysterious death, Karan becomes a suspect. Karan soon learns that Sarika has escaped but is not able to put two and two together. Sarika learns that Karan is working for a businessman (Abhay Bhargava) who has many illegal operations under his garb.
After she kills the businessman's brother, Karan gets trapped as he was the last man to see the person alive. Karan is shocked at the development but chalks it to the work of rival gang. Meanwhile, Sarika pretends to run into him. She pretends to have sympathy for him. Seeing that she still has not seen through his game, Karan decides to play with her for some time. Karan confronts a man whom he suspects to be a traitor, but he believes that somebody else could have sneaked in after Karan went out. Before the man can say anything, Karan kills him, too.
Sarika is amused as Karan gets entangled in a cat-and-mouse game. She steals money from Karan's boss, for which Karan is again made a patsy. However, Karan soon realizes the plot. After he confronts and assaults her, she shocks him by telling him that she has burnt the money. Karan takes her to his boss and makes her confess at gunpoint. But she feigns ignorance and claims that Karan made her say so. As Karan is attacked by his boss's goons, he breaks into a fight. Just then, the ACP enters with the police.
In a shootout, the ACP succeeds in killing Karan's boss. The gang is either killed or apprehended. While the ACP herself gets shot, Karan succeeds in escaping. His success is short-lived: suddenly, Sarika emerges from his back and holds him at gunpoint and makes him drive to a secluded spot. After knocking him out, she chains him in a cavern infested with rats. As Karan regains consciousness, Sarika tells him how she used to be scared of rats and she chose this spot because she wanted him to go through the pain and suffering that she went through while she was in prison. Karan is baffled at her talk, but she leaves him in the cavern, with light from a flashlight pointing towards him.
Karan screams, but nobody hears as he is in a secluded place. Soon the flashlight goes out and Karan loses strength. The rats attack and kill him brutally (shown by dimming of lights and screams). Karan dies a long and painful death. With her mission of exacting revenge from Karan accomplished, Sarika eventually surrenders to the police, turning in the bag of money that she stole from Karan's boss to the ACP. The film ends showing Sarika spending the rest of her life in prison.

Review: It is gritty, realistic, gripping, and it successfully adopts the style of Ram Gopal Varma's film-making.
It is about a young independent woman, Sarika (Urmila Matondkar), who falls for a young suave man, Karan (Saif Ali Khan) who is actually not the one he appears to be.
The film does not have any unnecessary subplots, it avoids melodrama, it is relatively short, it has no songs, and all these elements contribute to its authenticity and suspenseful mood, also aided by its fantastic background score, brilliant dialogues, and superb cast.Urmila Matondkar is one of the finest and most versatile actresses in India.
In Ek Hasina Thi, Urmila stars as Sarika Vartak, but although she plays one character, she actually plays two different women.
From the production house of Ram Gopal Varma comes another powerful film about love, hatred, passion and revenge.
"Ek Hasina Thi" is director Sriram Raghavan's debut film but you wouldn't be able to tell that after viewing this film.
He even surprasses Ram Gopal Varma at his own game."Ek Hasina Thi" tells a story of Sarika - a simple, working-class woman who seems to be content with her life until her chance encounter with a suave, ultra-cool individual - Karan.
Saying any more would ruin the premise of the film, not to mention, the experience of watching it, but I highly doubt any Bollywood film this year will make an impact on me the way "Ek Hasina Thi" did.One of the major aspects that makes "Ek Hasina Thi" so powerful are the performances by the lead actors.
Saif Ali Khan, who is suddenly on a white-hot streak with films like "Dil Chahta Hai", "Darna Mana Hai", and the recent "Kal Ho Naa Ho" easily gives the finest performance of his career.
Usually, in hindi films, villainous characters are shown to be mere caricatures - a snarl here, a facial contortion there, etc., but Saif Ali Khan plays Karan Rathod in such a subtle, cool, and horrifying real manner that the viewer almost sympathizes with him.
Urmila, who is getting much praise for her films in 2003, actually gives her career-best performance as well in "Ek Hasina Thi".
Also, the initial scenes where Saif and Urmila meet are some of the best scenes in the film.
Bravo to both actors for portraying their characters so effectively.As mentioned, director Sriram Raghavan gives the best debut film I've seen in years.
There are no songs in the film, thankfully, which makes "Ek Hasina Thi" a much better viewing experience.
C.K. Muralidharan's cinematography is fantastic - probably better than any film Ram Gopal Varma has been associated with.
In fact, "Ek Hasina Thi" is even better than Varma's own film - "Company".
"Ek Hasina Thi" is a film that should not be missed by anyone who appreciates intelligent, different, and profound cinema..
From producer Ram Gopal Varma and director Sriram Raghavan comes a pretty good revenge thriller, which is definitely one of the better Indian movies this year.Cast against his usual roles, Saif Ali Khan plays a slick criminal whose dealings with terrorists and the Delhi underworld get his girlfriend Sarika (Urmila Matondkar) into prison.
However, toughened by prison life, Sarika manages to escape and takes revenge.Progressing somewhat slowly during the first 15 minutes, but then gaining momentum at an increasing pace, this movie never slows down and manages to keep your interest for the full duration, which at only 120 minutes is significantly less than most Bollywood movies.
There are also no disruptive song or dance sequences that would distract you from the plot.In fact, one of the problems that I have with this movie is that it is a bit too short -- in particular the prison sequence seems rushed: Sarika's character development from the innocent, naive girl to the tough, cold-blooded killer is not fully developed and feels a bit sudden as a result.My second problem is with the ending, which, while not inappropriate, feels a bit out of line with her previous revenge strategy.
It still works fine, but one feels that it could have been built up better.Other than that, however, there are no obvious problems with the plot, and acting is good from most main and supporting actors.
Seema Biswas in particularly stands out in her role as the determined female police officer in pursuit of Sarika.Definitely worth watching, and much better than anything Hollywood, USA has produced in this genre in a long time..
There are no ridiculous song and dance sequences, no melodramatic dialogue delivery and even the gory action sequences are underplayed.The movie is about a single girl living alone in Mumbai away from her family ("on her own terms" is what the reviews say) and how she deals with extraordinary circumstances that surround her meeting the man of her dreams (on the lines of Pacific Heights, or Sleeping with the Enemy).
From the cast, Saif Ali Khan, Urmila and Seema Biswas are outstanding.
This has to be one of the finest performances by both Saif and Urmila in main roles.
Her times in the jail are almost like the role of Stallone in Lock-Up. One never expects hardcore stuff from hindi films, yet this one has some of the most intense time-scale scenes in it.
I wonder how this Urmila who gyrated her way with Rangeela could ever get into the skin of the role that she plays in this film which requires her to bring in physical encounters with jailmates and so on!
She was better than Saif, although he did a really good job playing the cold selfish man.
The acting is superb and there are many western elements such as storyline and direction that make this piece fabulous and a piece for people that are not familiar with Bollywood films to watch.It does get a bit cheesy when Saif Ali Khan breaks out the martial arts moves but Urmilla's acting is wonderful.
I would definitely recommend this movie to everybody, especially those that have not seen an Indian film before and who are curious..
Though EK HASINA THI will never be considered a great classic I was pleasantly surprised that this Bollywood thriller was better than expected.
Very few films today are entertaining, per se, so you can imagine how unexpected it was to see an entertaining thriller from Bollywood.EK HASINA THI is not your typical Bollywood movie: there's no musical numbers, the violence is realistic and it looks modern enough.
What's amazing is EK HASINA THI succeeds were many Hollywood produced films fail.
Films like KILLING ME SOFTLY, which made me laugh nonstop, looks like a complete joke compared to EK HASINA THI.Saif Ali Khan gives a good performance but the movie belongs to Urmila Matondkar, who is over-the-top and yet believable, which is amazing.
Kudos to Urmila for giving such a memorable performance and basically making the film for what it is.
This is exactly what we want from a thriller movie, director Sriram Raghavan has done tremendous job on it and the two main characters, especially Urmilla is exceptional, this is her finest performance.
even bhoot looks pale in front of it i think Saif should be ranked as the most outstanding khan of bollywood !
this movie is only 2 hrs long which is a complete surprise for bollywood i think makers like yash chopra karan johar should incorporate such techniques in their movies and try to bring such talents in front of viewers instead of being stereotypes best this movie which guarantees you wont be disappointed ...
Urmila Matondkar who is a discovery of Ram Gopal Varma has given an impeccable performance in a movie that the other actresses would shun away from.
This movie is testament to the belief that good actors invariably end up with good directors or the other way around as in this case, Sriram Raghavan.
I'm very keen in revenge thrillers and Ek Hasina Thi was quite different & interesting about Sarika, a happy, independent, single girl working in Mumbai.
That is why the film is called Ek Hasina Thi and she really was looking beautiful with her long hair but when she cut it in jail then she was looking like a different person.
Ek Haseena Thi is a Great Prison Movie with a tale for revenge.
From Innocent to Rough is a major part of this film's character Urmila.
Urmila gives a Brilliant performance and i cant think of any other actress, that could of made it better.
Although most of Ram Gopal Verma's movies are not officially directed by him still they carry the Verma stamp all over.Ek Hasina Thi fortunately falls in the really good movies section.
It is different and good.Sarika(Urmila) is an independent working girl in Bombay.
Had there been a little more attention in the second half Ek Hasina Thi would have been a much better film.
Although we have seen 3 Deewarein (read my review) which was based on jail but Ek Hasina Thi provides insight in a female prison like never before.
Although female prisons have been shown in a good manner in Gumraah and in a horrible way in the disastrous Anjaam,Ek Hasina Thi really thrills you in the realism of jail life.
Even in the most filmy scene where Urmila fights the jail bully-ya even I was reminded of Kaalia-the fight looks real and well enacted.Shahrukh Khan has eaten his words many times.
Still Shahrukh Khan had never imagined in his life that someone as good looking and charming like Saif Ali Khan can play a negative role and that too in style.
I guess that sums up what Saif has done in this movie.His character really catches u when he plays the wicked question and answer game with Urmila.However after that the focus shifts to Urmila and Saif seems to play yet another play-boy role.But towards the end, in the scene where he discovers the truth about Urmila and questions her Saif looks menacing and gets into the skin of the character.
I canno say that Saif has given the best negative performance in recent times but I can definitely say that the way he has portrayed a mean man,it is really very very different from any negative role in recent time.
Urmila delivers yet another ace performance after Bhoot.Although in some scenes towards the end she tries and act the way she did in Kaun and Pyaar Tune Kiya Kya-much to my irritation,But otherwise she shows her acting talent once gain.Her expression and dailogue delivery in the prison scenes shows that Urmila is capable of delivering the goods if she has Verma by her side.Seema Biswas is brilliant as the lady police officer.
My Rating : 7/10A bit long-ish but if you're familiar with Bollywood movies then it's nothing.Overall, a good watch and well-acted.
Rare to find darker stories in Bollywood cinema so it's great to actually have something like this to have even been made.Well-paced, well-directed and no unnecessary melodrama, no songs either which is rare.
The screenplay is marvelous.Now, this is one Bollywood film which you got to watch before you die.
I personally don't watch many hindi movies bcause normally they are dumb n stupid and treat their viewers on same line!!but this is one of the best movie coming from Bollywood!!only seeing is believing!........Direction,Camera Work,Back ground score, editing(superb),acting from all lead cast and one n only song(which is played in background during a chase sequence)are all top notch!!...........can put some of best hollywood flicks to shame!!Actually, we can always trust a movie coming from Ram Gopal Verma, Rajkumar Santoshi, Mani Ratnam!!...always offering something different and original and above all they respect the viewers IQ!!Kudos to Sriram Raghvan on his wonderful debut and thanks to all of the team for creating this viewer's delight!!Amber..
Revenge stories are done to death in bollywood but this is different, never wrong a girl who loves you from heart .
Movie charter a different chart with crisp editing and impactful dialogues urmila plays it's part in amazing way Saif once again proves he is underrated Direction is superb.
The sole reason I like this movie is the revenge main lead (Urmila Matondkar) takes against another main lead (Saif Ali Khan) who ruined her life.No one should take any women for granted with their lies or force.
Urmila takes a break from her psycho / possessed roles she had played in earlier films.
And, because of this, the film is a nice change of pace and well worth your time.This movie begins with a beautiful lady (Sarika) being stalked, somewhat, by a handsome young man (Karan).
She soon comes to realize that she's been set up to be the fall girl for a very bad man...and the quiet and sweet girl evolves into a very angry lady--one who is able to kill, if need be, to get revenge.While I would normally say no more (as it might spoil the film), I noticed that IMDb's summary gives a LOT of information.
Sriram Raghavan's dark thriller Ek Hasina Thi has all the ingredients of a winner.
Outstanding acting by Urmila Matondkar, who I consider to be the best actress in Bollywood.
Good supporting acting by veteran actor Saif Ali Khan and veteran actress Seema Biswas.Karan Singh Rathod (Saif Ali Khan) who secretly works in the for the underworld, strikes up an acquaintance with Sarika Vartak (Urmila Matondkar) which inventually leads to a romance between them.One day Karan who is away on business tells Sarika that some friend of his would be staying a while at her flat.
Events unfold in the film, which paces on relentlessly, which later come to a terrifying climax towards the end.Excellent casting, acting, dialogue, score, editing and photography.
Not in the performance of Saif Ali Khan, nor Urmila, but Varma, for once again proving that any good Bollywood movie must be 'inspired' from somewhere or another.
Everyone swears they exits, but in reality, they just don't.The entire sequence with the double crossing lawyer, supposedly 'in our pocket' judge, betrayal from the man the protagonist thinks she loves, right down to the antagonistic dyke and the protective opponent of the evil dyke with connections of her own outside the prison as well, it's all taken from a book called Tomorrow Never Comes by Sidney Sheldon.Of ocurse, the book doesn't end on the revenge plot, it goes on to show the female lead makes use of the cunning she never thought she had to entrap all the men who used her and threw her into jail, and then realise she can never fit into normal society and a regular nine to five job again, mostly because of her police record.
The film looks believable and shines as a masterpiece in thriller genre.Urmila(Sarika) works in a travel agency, and arrives at Mumbai to live alone.
Urmila, a middle class working  girl in Mumbai is entrapped by a smooth gangster (Saif Ali Khan) and you get a frightening look of her ordeal in a harsh and unforgiving penal system.
The one good thing I can say about this movie was that Urmila's character was well-developed.
After giving strings of hits, looks like Saif and Urmila didn't have any luck this time.
Saif Ali Khan is very good as the caddish, smoothtalker who finally manages to charm the innocent Sarika.
Yet, where performances are concerned, 'Ek Hasina Thi' belongs to Urmila Matondkar.
Moments like these elevate the film from being mere revenge play.EHT is not perfect  it has pacing issues and even comes close to imploding in the third act with a hastily assembled climax, but it's assured sense of direction and strong performances by the lead and supporting cast save it from self-destructing.But my main complaint has little to do with plot machinations.
It feels like the film is holding back for some reason.Although EHT's subversive potential is largely untapped, Sriram Raghavan is clearly a talent to watch out for.
It's rare to see a woman do this in a Bollywood film so, here's a standing ovation for Urmila and the Ram Gopal Varma team..
In one word this movie was AMAZING.Karan Rathod (Saif Ali khan) is a smooth, Handsome, smart, cunning, clever Gangster.
He is on the lookout for his next trap...Enter Sarika (Urmila Matondkar)...a decent but innocent middle class girl living entirely alone with nobody to take care of her.
Saif Ali khan as a smooth, clever gangster is brilliant and Urmila too is good.All in all a must see..
She leads a very normal life until she meets Karan (Saif).
The protagonist using the opportunity of meeting a well connected prisoner was good for a plot, but her going and getting her way all the time; like killing a goon with no one around were just instances of luck that took away from her power.
The film starts off quite well though it's bit hard to digest the way Urmila suddenly gets close to Saif without knowing much of him, but then the story shifts gears and the way things are handled is superb, The jail scenes are simply superb, her escape(hardly anything filmy, thankfully no disguises).
There is only 1 song which is in the background and thankfully no naach gaana Camera-work is superb, Background music is awesomeUrmila Matondkar who proved her talent with Bhoot, Pinjar does a superb job, conveying all emotions, revenge perfectly, She is perfectly cast only quibee is her make up in jail portions, it would be better if she was shown without make up and also her dress change, but that doesn't take anything from her performance.
Saif Ali Khan too turned a new leaf since DCH and started experimenting, He plays a villain perfectly and shows his versatility, he never overacts or makes faces, giving a true natural performance He had done a negative role in Kya Kehna but this one is different and does a superb job, after this he played a villain in Omkara again and rest is history.