Cast
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Shabana Azmi
as Amba Bhanupratap Singh
Anil Kapoor
as Suraj 'Sarju' B. Singh
Meenakshi Sheshadri
as Lajjo
Kanwaljit Singh
as Rajendra 'Raja' B. Singh
Kiran Juneja
as Prabha R. Singh
Rajan Sippy
as Kunwar Ranvir J. Singh
Mangal Dhillon
as Thakur Shamsher Singh
Sudhir Pandey
as Thakur Jasbir Singh
Sujit Kumar
as Bhiku
Satish Shah
as Neelkanth
Yunus Parvez
as Banne Miya
Upasna Singh
as Munnibai
Shivraj
as Gurghand
Dulari
as Naanima
Crew
Director
- Mohan Kumar
Producer
- Mohan Kumar
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Amba examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Mohan Kumar brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1990, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Amba took approximately 14 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 153 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 188 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 11 months to complete.
- The film contains approximately 1662 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 1990, when this film was released:
- The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
- Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Amba shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Sawan Ko Aane Do, which focuses more on action than character development, Amba offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like India Lockdown and Chaar Cup Chai explore similar territory, Amba stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: August 10, 1990
- Runtime: 2h 33m
