Karishma Kudrat Kaa (1985) is another one of the collaborations between Dharmendra and Arjun Hingorani. It featured Dharam pa in a double role, along with Mithun Chakraborty, Anita Raj and Rati Agnihotri. Shakti Kapoor features as the main antagonist. The story revolves around a simple-minded widower (Weak Dharam) who lives in a village with his mother, son and sister (Rati Agnihotri). He is supposed to marry a beautiful girl (Anita Raj) whose brother is a cop (Mithun Chakraborty). Also, Rati and Mithun are in love with in each other. Mithun is after a wanted criminal (Strong Dharam) who is actually the lookalike of his to-be brother in law. Weak Dharam unwittingly becomes an enemy of a dreaded dacoit (Shakti Kapoor) and is thrown out of the village. Meanwhile, Strong Dharam, who was on the run, sees his weak doppleganger and decides to take his identity to escape the law. He stabs Weak Dharam, leaves him to die and returns home to his family. No one really notices the change in him. He succesfully woos Anita and both end up getting intimate in a drunk state, but he refuses to marry her. He also plans a scheme to sell off his sister to the local brothel for money. However, she gets raped and this incident compels him to mend his ways and he decides to protect them from all harm. At the same time, Mithun finds out that the man pretending to be Weak Dharam is actually the criminal he is after. Also, Weak Dharam had not died- he was saved by a group of pundits. Will the family ever find out the reality of Strong Dharam? Will Mithun suceed in arresting him? Will Weak Dharam see his family again?
Performance-wise, Dharmendra totally dominates the show, both as the weak simpleton and as the strong criminal. Mithun was just about ok as the cop. Anita Raj looked really beautiful and gave a good performance. Rati Agnihotri too was decent. Shakti Kapoor was excellent as the main antagonist.
Sadly, Karishma Kudrat Kaa failed live up to the expectations of the previous Dharam- Arjun collaboration Katilon Ke Katil (1981) and ended up as an average grosser. However it is must-watch for Dharmendra fans who want to see him in full flow.
Performance-wise, Dharmendra totally dominates the show, both as the weak simpleton and as the strong criminal. Mithun was just about ok as the cop. Anita Raj looked really beautiful and gave a good performance. Rati Agnihotri too was decent. Shakti Kapoor was excellent as the main antagonist.
Sadly, Karishma Kudrat Kaa failed live up to the expectations of the previous Dharam- Arjun collaboration Katilon Ke Katil (1981) and ended up as an average grosser. However it is must-watch for Dharmendra fans who want to see him in full flow.
