The early 1990s brought in a new bunch of actors including the 3 Khans who would cast their distinctive spells and rule the industry for the next few decades. But there were others who continued to stay relevant with their immense star power and acting talent.

Today, we visit the Amitabh Bachchan starrer Hum. Produced by Romesh Sharma and directed by Mukul Anand, Hum is a showcase of the aging Amitabh Bachchan’s “angry young man” image, probably for the last time as a leading hero. It is a kind of revenge drama full of action, masala and entertainment with many characters and subplots. Though an out and out commercial film, it confirms why Amitabh Bachchan is regarded as one of the finest actors of Indian cinema. He won the FilmFare award for best actor for his memorable performance. The film is also remembered for its iconic song Jumma chumma de de.

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The Plot

The very first scene begins with Amitabh Bachchan’s voiceover. He describes Mumbai (or Bombay) docks area, the destination of ships where goods are loaded and unloaded. Some years back, a businessman called Bhaktavar (Danny Denzongpa) arrived here. He took advantage of the poor conditions and compulsions of the dock workers and made them his slaves. The workers would slog round the clock in return of almost nothing. The exploitation continued over the years. Bhaktavar’s power and cruelty multiplied. He ruled the docks with his band of trusted men. Hardly anyone could dream of raising their voice against Bhakhtavar. Those who did, met with fatal consequences serving as a lesson for others.

One of Bhaktavar’s right hand man was Pratap (Deepak Shirke). He had 3 sons. The eldest being Tiger (Amitabh Bachchan). Pratap remarried and had 2 sons from his second wife (played by Asha Sharma). Tiger was introduced to the world of crime by his father and he also works for Bhaktavar. But he has a rebel streak and a sense to distinguish what’s good, bad and evil.

The docks see the entry of a new police inspector Giridhar (Anupam Kher). He is accompanied by Havaldar Arjun Singh (Annu Kapoor). Giridhar is corrupt and an opportunist to the core. He has his plans laid out. He would like to side with the workers and stoke the flames of a rebellion against Bhaktavar. On the other hand, he would act as a servant of Bhaktavar, and instigate him against the workers.

Gonsalves (Romesh Sharma) is one of the workers who is trying to gather support and rebel against Bhaktavar. One day, he and a group of workers march to Bhaktavar’s house shouting Bhaktavar murdabad. Bhaktavar handles the situation shrewdly and crushes the rebellion, leaving Gonsalves frustrated.

Bhaktavar sends his men to capture Gonsalves and kill him (by throwing him in an acid tank, he owns a chemical unit too!). Enter Tiger, the angry young man who is Gonsalves’s close friend. He is all ready for action to save his friend. After the expected fight, he manages to rescue Gonsalves. Giridhar is on spot to tell Tiger that Bhaktavar is behind this. Tiger rushes to Bhaktavar’s house. He threatens him openly and warns to stay away from his friend. Pratap lectures him and throws him out. He apologizes to Bhaktavar on Tiger’s behalf. Bhaktavar warns him that this should not be repeated else his other 2 sons will have to bear the consequences.

Gonsalves has a sister Jumalina/ Jumma (Kimi Katkar) who shares a love hate relationship with Tiger. This is reason enough to present the chartbuster song Jumma chumma de de.

Giridhar informs Bhaktavar that Gonsalves has collected the signatures of 500 workers and will be filing a complaint against Bhaktavar tomorrow. Bhaktavar orders Pratap to tell Tiger to instill some sense into Gonsalves else the outcome will be worse. Tiger goes to meet Gonsalves in a drunken state. After a long scene, Gonsalves understands the message that his friend is desperately trying to convey. Amitabh is really good in this scene and a treat to watch!

The next day, Gonsalves is on his way to the police station. He is alone. Seems no one is ready to risk being seen with him. Tiger runs behind him but Bhaktavar reaches Gonsalves first and kills him. Tiger is a witness to the murder. So are Giridhar and Arjun Singh who have been watching the proceedings hidden from the view. Everyone knows what has happened but Bhaktavar’s men terrorize the area to ensure no one speaks up against him. Jumma appeals to the women to come forward. They do so. In the events that follow, Pratap gets killed (when he tries to save Tiger) and his wife (Tiger’s stepmother) also dies. Bhaktavar rushes home hoping to flee with his family and money before the police forces arrive.

Tiger has lost his friend, and his parents in quick succession. He goes to Bhaktavar’s house to kill him. He knocks him out. But Giridhar, the opportunist has already planned the next course of events. He informs Tiger that the police commissioner is on his way and requests him to to leave the city along with his step brothers. He will not achieve anything by killing Bhaktavar, after all he has to think about the future of his brothers. Tiger is fully agreeable and leaves.

After that, Giridhar sets fire to Bhaktavar’s house, loots his safe and runs away. Bhaktavar gains consciousness and sees his wife and children being charred to death. He assumes Tiger is behind all this. He jumps out of the window and saves himself. But the police arrive and arrest him. (He is sent to jail.)

Tiger boards a goods train along with his brothers. He asks Jumma to jump in but she refuses. She says his love will be divided if she comes with them. So the lovers separate. Giridhar manages to shoot the train which is conveniently carrying explosives. There is a huge explosion and he assumes Tiger is dead.

We are not even halfway into the story. Some 15 years have passed. Tiger is alive and a changed man for the sake of his brothers. He is now called Shekhar and lives in Ooty. He has established a timber business. His brothers are Kumar (Rajinikant), a police officer and Vijay (Govinda), a college student. Kumar’s wife is Aarti (Deepa Sahi) and they have a daughter Jyoti (Baby Sanjana). Shekhar is away from the world of crime. His brothers don’t know anything of his past. Strangely, they don’t remember anything of what happened to their parents etc.

More characters are introduced. Vijay’s girlfriend is Anita (Shilpa Shirodkar). They sing a sultry song shot in Mauritius airport (?). Anita’s father is General Sinha (Kadar Khan).

But Tiger/ Shekhar’s contented life is about to change as some old foes return.

Bhaktavar is released from jail. His mission is to track Tiger and seek revenge for killing his family. He is told that Tiger is dead but he refuses to believe that. It is interesting to note that Bhaktavra’s motivation is concerning the loss of his family. The importance of a family is actually the central theme of the movie.

Giridhar is now a successful businessman. But obviously not someone who is principled. His current target is the Indian army. He is planning to sell substandard tanks to the army. But his plans are thwarted by General Sinha. Then he plans to replace the General with a duplicate (an actor), who will masquerade as the General and approve the tanks’ purchase.

His path will cross with Bhaktavar, who is out of jail, as well as with Tiger, whom he had assumed dead. He knows he will be caught if Tiger and Bhaktavar meet each other and realize the truth. Giridhar’s wrong doings will be revealed.

And Tiger’s love interest Jumma, who is now a successful heroine will return in Tigers life.

All this makes for an exciting climax where a family unites to take on their adversaries.

The Music

Anand Bakshi and Laxmikant Pyarelal deliver a clear winner. Jumma Chumma has acquired cult status. It has a female solo version Le le chumma le le. The title song Ek dusre se karte hai pyar hum was popular too. It appears multiple times in the movie. The duets Sanam teri kasam and Kaagaz kalam dawaat la are good. Other situational song is General Sahab karo tayari.

My Thoughts

Hum was one of the final successes of Amitabh Bachchan’s career as the leading hero. Shortly after this movie, he took a break to launch his company ABCL. Mukul Anand makes full use of the actor’s talents be it action, comedy, romance or emotional scenes. His towering personality is impressive. But he looks old in the initial portion where he depicts the angry young man persona. Danny Denzongpa is convincing. Anupam Kher is irritating as he plays the villain with a comedy streak in his usual style.

Other actors like Rajinikant and Govinda don’t have much to do except in the final portion of the movie. Kimi Katkar makes a surprisingly good pair with Amitabh Bachchan though their age difference is evident on screen. Shilpa Shirodkar, Deepa Sahi and Kadar Khan (in a double role) provide good support.

While Hum may not be a great movie, it has all the key elements to hook the viewer. And it succeeds!