This remake of the Tamil film by the same name was produced by Geetha Arts and directed by Mahesh Bhatt. Though the film had much hype, it did not live up to the expectations and was overall a losing proposition though Filmfare magazine had reported that it did well in a few interior areas.
Vijay (Chiru) owns a little agarbathi making business. When he is not busy with this, he is a master thief who steals crores and crores of money in order to build and run a school where students can freely study to become doctors, lawyers, etc. The police led by Paresh Rawal are always on his tail but he is ever elusive. Finally he is identified as the thief and then is confronted by Juhi Chawla’s character, who loves him. He tells her what his intentions are and how his brother because he couldn’t pay the donations for medical school committed suicide along with his mother. Vijay is finally caught and convicted and when he is released from prison, his dream school opens.
Chiranjeevi gives a very restrained and dignified performance. He is in his element. Paresh Rawal delivers a fine performance and Juhi Chawla in her limited role is pleasing. Choreography is fantastic, in particular for “Chika Pikka” and “Gentleman, Gentleman,” for which Prabhudeva was the choreographer. Music by Anu Mallik was very good. Mahesh Bhatt does a so-so job, but somehow the punch of the original was missing.