Maqbool (2004)
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A loyal underworld enforcer is seduced by ambition and a forbidden love into murdering his powerful mentor.
The story
Set against the backdrop of the Mumbai underworld, Miyan Maqbool serves as the trusted right-hand man to the powerful don Jahangir Khan, known as Abba Ji. Despite his deep personal indebtedness and loyalty to his mentor, Maqbool harbors secret ambitions. This ambition is fueled by Nimmi, Abba Ji's mistress, who is secretly in love with Maqbool and encourages him to seize power. Sensing Maqbool's growing desire for dominance, two corrupt policemen begin to predict his rise. Caught between his devotion to Abba Ji and his desire for power, Maqbool begins to navigate a dangerous path to take over the underworld.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Based on William Shakespeare's Macbeth, the film depicts the Mumbai underworld where Miyan Maqbool is the loyal right-hand man to the powerful don Jahangir Khan (Abba Ji). While Maqbool feels a deep personal debt to Abba Ji, he is secretly in love with Abba Ji's mistress, Nimmi. Nimmi persuades Maqbool to murder Abba Ji to take over the criminal empire. Two corrupt policemen, who are on Abba Ji's payroll, predict Maqbool's rise and actively manipulate events to shape the outcome. Maqbool eventually murders Abba Ji in his bed at night while Nimmi is present. Although Maqbool successfully takes over as Don, both he and Nimmi are haunted by guilt, hallucinating Abba Ji's ghost. Suspicion arises within the gang regarding the murder, and the lovers ultimately meet a tragic end. The film also features the corrupt cops as active participants who provide information, coerce loyalties, and set up alliances against Maqbool.
- First release year
- 2004
- Runtime (minutes)
- 132
- Production countries
- India
- Original languages
- Hindi
- Directors
- Vishal Bhardwaj
- Writers
- Vishal Bhardwaj · screenplay; Abbas Tyrewala · screenplay; Vishal Bhardwaj · story; Abbas Tyrewala · story
- Cast and characters
- Irrfan Khan · Miyan Maqbool; Tabu · Nimmi; Pankaj Kapur · Jahangir Khan (alias Abba Ji); Naseeruddin Shah · corrupt police inspector; Om Puri · corrupt police inspector; Piyush Mishra; Murali Sharma; Masumeh Makhija
- Genres
- crime drama
- Themes
- Ambition; Guilt; Loyalty vs. Betrayal; Power
- Tone and mood
- Dark; Tragic; Operatic; Satirical
- Setting
- Mumbai underworld
- Premise and plot tags
- Crime Drama; Shakespearean Adaptation; Organized Crime
- Source material / true-story basis
- Macbeth by William Shakespeare
- Reception
- The film received universal critical acclaim and was considered a Cult film over the years, despite not performing remarkably at the box office.
- Awards and nominations
- Filmfare Award · Best Actor (Critics) · win; National Film Award · Best Supporting Actor · win
- Production trivia
- Vishal Bhardwaj also composed the background score and songs for the film.; The film had its North American premiere at the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival.; Irrfan Khan was selected for the lead role after attempts to sign Kamal Haasan, Akshay Kumar and Kay Kay Menon failed.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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