Raja (1995) User Reviews

Overdone and melodramatic

[silvan-desouza · 4/10 · 25 March 2009]

Indra Kumar earlier films were damn melodramatic but some had good stories like BETA(1992)

Those days films were melodramatic with too loud background music thundering, lightning Another aspect of Indra Kumar was that first half would go with light moments, song.etc mostly and the drama would take place in second half

RAJA too is one of those films The story is implausible and the first half has several stupid comic scenes and too many songs The bonding between Sanjay and Paresh is good and also the love story is okay The entire twist in the story is well handled and the conflict is well done but then the entire end is stupid with Dalip Tahil almost killing Madhuri and then suddenly Sanjay from hospital reaching to save her The last scenes are stupidity

Indra Kumar does an average job Music is hit variety, especially Ankhiya and Nazrein which were damn popular

Sanjay Kapoor has big brother Anil's hangover in acting and it shows but he is decent though too his expressions were too much in many scenes This is his only solo big hit Madhuri is as usual Amongst others Mukesh Khanna hams like no tomorrow, Dalip Tahil is as usual Paresh Rawal steals the show with a flawless performance

Highly benefits from Dixit's ineffable charisma, otherwise a dull film with good songs

[Peter_Young · 5/10 · 5 October 2021]

Indra Kumar makes another of those typical romances that he is so known for. His previous films, Dil and Beta, for all their cinematic flaws and shorcomings, provided fresh entertainment, but no hat-tricks for him here. Ironically, Raja is named after male lead Sanjay Kapoor's character, but it's all about Madhuri Dixit, who clearly this film was made for. It showcases Dixit at the top of her beauty, splendor and dramatic form. It's all about her powerful screen presence, and what a presence it is - her gorgeous smile lights up the screen, her stupendous dancing skills set every musical number on fire, and even in a film that doesn't offer her much acting-wise, she manages to shine through.

Indeed, the film itself is just not up to the mark - it's a rehash of different romantic films, and sadly it just gets worse and worse as it goes on. The amount of Hindi rom-com tropes used here is alarmingly and amusingly inartistic. The exaggerated melodrama is embarrassing, so is the stagy dialogue, and the story just goes nowhere. Dixit is supported by her leading man Kapoor, who bears a striking resemblance to his older brother Anil (a frequent costar Dixit's) just with less acting talent, although a refreshing casting choice. The only one here close to leaving a mark as an actor is, for whatever little it may be worth, Paresh Rawal as the mentally challenged brother.

To conclude, there's nothing to look here for except for its sole redeeming quality, its leading lady. Like many potboiler films of the era that were made solely to cash in on the moviegoing public's demand to watch their undisputed screen idol, this film relies exclusively on Dixit's star power. Just watch the songs of the hit soundtrack (all melodious and catchy) - "Phool Mangoo Naa Bahaar", "Akhiyaan Milaoon Kabhi", "Kisi Din Banoongi", "Nazrein Mili Dil Dhadka", for evidence of her indelible charisma. The film lets her do what she does best, but sometimes she is just there, and if you ask movie fans, sometimes it's reason enough to watch even poor films like this one.

Loud and familiar love saga....

[SumanShakya · 5/10 · 29 October 2022]

A poor guy falling for a rich lady against the will of her tyrannical brothers forms a much familiar plot of this successful 90s film. Unlike Inder Kumar's earlier hits "Dil" and "Beta" which had better plots and narration, 'Raja" appears much blatant in terms of storytelling and characters. In other words, it's not the story for which you should go for. Anyway, the sets and photographic beauty in filming the sets might make it a pleasure to watch it in a theatre.

There are an abundance of songs, fitted as items, which look and sound great on the screen. Madhuri Dixit overshadows Sanjay Kapoor though she suffers overacting and her character is less passionate to that from "Dil" or "Beta." Similarly, the roles of Mukesh Khanna and Dalip Tahil are cardboard type apart the role of Paresh Rawal, which is a merit to the film. Overall, it's a loud and exuberant love saga which is a testimony of production values surpassing the storytelling in the 90s blockbusters.

Rating: 1 star out of 4.

One of the best movies of 1995

[jahangirhussain74 · 12 May 2011]

1995 was a year when few movies succeeded at the box-office since Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was a big, big hit. Fortunately, Raja succeeded to make a mark. Madhuri's fans were very excited about this movie and she was cited as the female Amitabh Bachchan of Hindi cinema.

The story revolves around Raja (Sanjay Kapoor) who is the cause of insanity of his older brother Birju (Paresh Rawal). But Birju pampers Raja like a child as he is his only support. Madhu (Madhuri Dixit)happens to be an arrogant rich sister of two wealthy brothers (Dalip Tahil and Mukesh Khanna). Raja and Madhu fall in love much to the chagrin of her brothers. The brothers hatch a plot to separate the two love birds. The plot succeeds and the two lovers are separated. But all's well that ends well as Raja and Madhu are reunited at the end.

The film is clichéd but only Madhuri's acting saves the day. She looked pretty and also performs the comic part diligently. She already grabbed the star screen award for this film and she truly deserved it! Sanjay Kapoor has miles to go if he wants to achieve the heights of his brother Anil Kapoor. He just inherited his brother's looks and nothing else. He was wooden throughout the film and it's a shame that Madhuri overshadowed him in a film that is hero-centric. Dalip Tahil is as usual. Mukesh Khanna is over-the-top. Rita Badhuri is okay. Paresh Rawal is excellent.

One of the highlights of this movie are the songs which are shot wonderfully. 'Aankhiyan milao kabhi', 'Phool mangoo na bahar mangoo', 'Tumne agar pyaar se dekha' and 'Nazrein mili' are the best tracks in the movie and are worth listening to billion times.

Indra Kumar is a director who can add zing to tried and tested formulas. Thanks to him that Raja worked to some extent. Hey, I am not saying that I don't like Raja. I am talking about the critics! IN my opinion, Raja is one of the best movies of 1995.

Check this one out for the ravishing queen of Bollywood Madhuri Dixit! I rate it 8/10.

So bad !

[Shameek · 3/10 · 4 March 2016]

Raja has got to be one of the worst Hindi movies I've ever seen. The plot is stupid and almost everything about the movie is terrible. It has a couple of good songs and that must have saved it from taking a complete nosedive. The dialog is not just corny but also completely over the top. The acting? It's tough to tell because Madhuri is just too good to mess anything up. But she can do little when the very character she plays is so bad. Actually pretty much every character is idiotic. I saw this movie 20 years too late but it wouldn't have made any difference. The '90s produced some very good Hindi movies so there's really no excuse for a movie this bad.

Madhuri Madhuri Madhuri

[anubhavshrivastavain · 10/10 · 20 August 2016]

It was Madhuri Magic All the way in the Film. Madhuri was named as Female Amitabh Bachchan after the film because she literally carried the film on her shoulders and made it a Blockbuster (according to boxofficeindia.com)despite having a male newcomer. It had the masala which once used to have in Manmohan Desai and Amitabh combination and that is why probably Madhuri was being credited as Lady Amitabh.

Movie definitely had some flaws but still Madhuri Dixit's Comic timing, Sheer Beauty and Magnificent Dance made it a must watch film. Sanjay Kapoor is Decent. Paresh Rawal is excellent. Madhuri is Extra Ordinary.

The Film is Must Watch for Madhuri Dixit. Greatest Actress of Bollywood.

Watch it for Queen Madhuri

[manisharora-40563 · 10/10 · 13 October 2021]

Raja is Indra Kumar's best film during 1990s. Madhuri is the highlight of this film. Madhuri is fantastic in this film with her impeccable comic timing and powerful dialogue delivery. I have watched this film many times only for Madhuri Dixit.

Lovely Movie

[guptaj-14436 · 10/10 · 10 September 2016]

I just Loved This Film. This is one of the Films which can be regarded as a Commercial Women Centric Film which is very rare in Bollywood. Madhuri Dixit received the crown of the Biggest Female Superstar in Bollywood with this film.

The Film has Beautiful Melodious Songs composed by Nadeem Shravan written by Sameer and Udit and Alka singing brilliantly. Sanjay Kapoor got the First Hit of his career. He acted brilliantly. Paresh Rawal was Extra Ordinary in this Film. Mukesh Khanna, Reeta Bhaduri, Dilip Tahil and Himani Shivpuri played their parts well.

It revolves around the story of Raja (Sanjay Kapoor) and Madhu (Madhuri Dixit) separated childhood friends who met later in their youth and fell in Love. Later they come to know that they are childhood friends but their brothers are enemies and create rift between them. The Love between Raja and Madhu is so strong that despite many troubles they gets reunited again and their is Happy Ending. Madhuri Dixit's Acting was Superb, Brilliant. Her Expressions were Priceless. Her Dance was Extra Ordinary and looked so so beautiful!!! A Must Watch Film for Bollywood Lovers.

A must-see movie for Madhuri Dixit's fans!!

[madhuridixit_raja · 10/10 · 2 July 2005]

A marriage alliance is formed between Madhu (Madhuri Dixit) and Raja (Sanjay Kapoor) in their childhood by their elder siblings Rana Mahendra Pratap Garhwal (Mukesh Khanna) and Brijnath (Paresh Rawal. However, due to a terrible fire that destroys Brijnath's estate and status, the alliance is broken, and Madhu and Raja are separated. The same day, Brijnath meets with an unfortunate accident which leaves him crippled, and dependent on his younger brother, Raja. Raja willingly sacrifices his childhood and education in order to take care of his elder brother. Several years after, Madhu and Raja meet, and fall in love. The two lovers receive Brijnath's blessings, but not Rana Pratap's. Rana Pratap wants his sister to marry a rich and wealthy man called Abishek, and is furious at his sister's decision to marry Raja instead. He and his younger brother devise a devious plan in order to get their sister married to Abishek. What will happen? Will Madhu marry Abishek or Raja? Will Brijnath unite the two lovers? Watch 'Raja' to find out. Raja is an excellently made movie with lots of colours and with six beautiful, picturesque songs by Nadeem-Shravan. Raja is a must-see movie for all Madhuri Dixit's fans.

Wonderful Movie

[janegagne · 10/10 · 8 February 2005]

The cinematography of this film is amazing. Also, the corny dramatic music and close ups on 'meaningful' expressions add to the overall hilarity of the movie. There are plenty of dramatic moments, romance and bollywood songs to keep anyone fixed.

Two childhood friends (Raja and Madhu) are engaged by their older brothers only to have the engagement broken off when Raja's brother (Birju) looses his fortune in a fire. To make matters worse, Birju is hit by a car in an effort to save his brother from the same fate. This accident throws him onto an electric fence and he looses his mental balance. Raja opts to care for him (even though he is a young boy) to save him from the mental hospital. Eventually, Madhu sees Raja in a coffee shop and falls in love with him. Raja begins to feel the same way. When Madhu's brother finds out, he is infuriated and tries to break the couple apart. To find out the rest, you should see the movie...everyone who I know who has seen it has loved it immensely.

Wonderful movie with full of emotions

[dkgupta493 · 10/10 · 26 June 2021]

Love this movie since 1995. Watched first time this movie on vcr.

Mesmerizing Madhuri

[niiloy · 12 January 2024]

Not here to write any review, nor am sure if this movie deserves any, but man! What an astounding diva Madhuri Dixit was, back in those days!

Happen to get mesmerized watching her, every time these songs pop up in youtube. These songs frequently took place around the neighborhood, in the blank backspace of birthday video cassettes, in the late nineties; and almost all the 90's kids of South Asia must have sweet memories of adolescence around these.

And after all these years, even though the eyes got matured a bit, the hearts gathered few wrinkles and aches from here and there; Madhuri hasn't lost her appeal, not even a single bit.