Nagina

Nagina is a 1986 Indian fantasy romance film, produced and directed by Harmesh Malhotra, with a screenplay written by Ravi Kapoor and story by Jagmohan Kapoor. The film stars Sridevi as Rajni, a Nāginī who marries a civilian to avenge the death of her spouse at the hands of an evil saint. It also stars Rishi Kapoor, Komal Mahuvakar, Amrish Puri, Sushma Seth and Prem Chopra. Then dubbed in Telugu as Naagini. Nagina was theatrically released on 28 November 1986. Upon its release, it was a widespread success grossing over ₹13 crore at the box office, becoming the second-highest-grossing Indian film of 1986. The success of the film proved to be one of the biggest blockbusters of the year. And major watershed moment in Indian cinema, as the film, despite being a woman-centric movie became a massive commercial success. Nagina is credited as being the film which established Sridevi's position as the biggest female star of the 1980s, rivaling male stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra. A sequel to the film was released; Nigahen: Nagina Part II (1989), but failed commercially. Today, Nagina is considered one of Sridevi's finest performances. Plot Rajiv comes from a wealthy land-owning family. He returns to India from London after studies and lives in a palatial home with his mother, who would like him to marry a beautiful young woman named Vijaya Singh, the only daughter of Thakur Ajay Singh. Rajiv, however, is in love with Rajni, who is an orphan without connections. When Rajiv informs his mother of his intent to marry Rajni, she refuses to give her blessings, but relents after a favourable meeting with Rajni. The marriage is arranged and they enjoy their marriage – until the arrival of Bhairo Nath, a sadhu capable of controlling snakes. He informs Rajiv's mother that Rajni is an Ichchadhari Naagin, a female shape-shifting venomous Cobra who has married Rajiv to avenge the death of her spouse during Rajiv's childhood. To remove her from the household, Bhairo and his disciples perform a pooja, forcing Rajni to change herself to her snake form by the tunes of a snake charmer flute. However, when Rajiv comes into the house, Rajni escapes, only to be caught by Bhairo, who reveals his plot—to control the world with the Mani, a sacred jewel that only Rajni knows is hidden. Rajiv engages in a fight with Bhairo, who is bitten by two snakes and dies. Rajiv and Rajni live happily ever after.