Sarfarosh

List of accolades received by *Sarfarosh*
Accolades
	Total number of awards and nominations
	References

Sarfarosh
Sarfarosh
Studio album by Jatin–Lalit
Released	1999
Genre	Feature film soundtrack
Length	30:47
Label	Tips
Producer	Jatin–Lalit
Jatin–Lalit chronology

Sarfarosh
Sarfarosh
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	John Matthew Matthan
Screenplay by	John Matthew Matthan; Hriday Lani; Pathik Vats
Story by	John Matthew Matthan
Produced by	John Matthew Matthan
Starring	Naseeruddin Shah; Aamir Khan; Sonali Bendre; Mukesh Rishi; Shri Vallabh Vyas; Govind Namdeo; Pradeep Rawat
Narrated by	Naseeruddin Shah; Sonali Bendre
Cinematography	Vikas Sivaraman
Edited by	Jethu Mundul
Music by	Songs:; Jatin–Lalit; Background Score:; Sanjoy Chowdhury
Production; company	Cinematt Pictures
Distributed by	Eros Entertainment
Release date	30 April 1999;
Running time	163 minutes
Country	India
Language	Hindi
Budget	₹8 crore
Box office	₹33.46 crore

Sarfarosh (transl. Fervent) is a 1999 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film written, produced and directed by John Matthew Matthan and starring Naseeruddin Shah, Aamir Khan, Sonali Bendre and Mukesh Rishi. John started working on Sarfarosh in 1992. Seven years were spent on the research, pre-production and production till it finally released in 1999. The film deals with an Indian police officer's quest to stop cross-border terrorism.^[2]

The film was released just before the Kargil conflict when tensions between India and Pakistan were high. On release, the film was both, critically and commercially, successful. The movie received praise, for the cast performances, especially Shah, Khan and Rishi. Its technical aspects, music and story were also praised.^[3]^[1] The film won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film, and was screened at the International Film Festival of India.^[4] The film was remade in Kannada as Sathyameva Jayathe with Devaraj and in Telugu as Astram (2006) with Vishnu Manchu and Anushka Shetty.

Plot[edit]

Arms trafficking is taking place in India. Bala Thakur, a gun handler, provides the arms to Veeran, a brigand. Veeran and his gang attack a wedding bus, gunning down every person in it. The government appoints a Special Action Team in Mumbai to trace the attack.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Ajay Singh Rathod (Aamir Khan), a resident of Mumbai, attends a concert by famed ghazal singer, the elderly Gulfam Hassan (Naseeruddin Shah), a Muhajir. Gulfam is Indian by birth but had to move to Pakistan as a child during the partition; deeply scarred by the experience, he is happy that the government allows him to live in his palatial residence whenever he comes to India. Gulfam finds a huge fan in Ajay, who used to attend his programs as a child, and the two bond. Ajay also reunites with Seema (Sonali Bendre), whom he had a crush on when they were studying in Delhi. The duo falls in love.

Inspector Saleem (Mukesh Rishi), an honest policeman, is taken off the team when notorious gangster Sultan (Pradeep Rawat) escapes his clutches. He is reprimanded for this failure and for causing the death of three officers in the attempt. Despite Saleem doing his duty sincerely, his senior officers look down upon him because he is a Muslim. When Ajay, who is younger, inexperienced and was mentored by Saleem himself before assuming charge, is told to head the team, Saleem is annoyed and refuses to take part in the investigation. Ajay's past is revealed: his father was going to testify against a terrorist, and in an attempt to stop them, Ajay's elder brother was killed. His father was kidnapped, and by the time the terrorists spared him, the man had lost his voice. This motivated Ajay to join the police force.

Gulfam is revealed to be working for the Pakistani intelligence, which is attempting to indulge in a proxy war with India. Since Gulfam likes Ajay, he sees to it that nothing happens to him. Saleem finds the location of Bala Thakur and Sultan and gives the information to Ajay, who convinces him to join the team again. An encounter with the criminals results in the death of Bala Thakur while Ajay is injured. Though Sultan escapes, the operation is a success as the team is able to intercept a consignment of lethal arms meant for terrorist Veeran. Sultan is assassinated on Gulfam's orders because of his failure, with false information relayed to Salim's informer network that Sultan has escaped to Pakistan.

While recovering from his injuries in the hospital, Ajay has an epiphany which leads the team to Bahid in Rajasthan. Following his recovery, Ajay meets Gulfam in Bahid, who is temporarily staying in his ancestral manor. Gulfam's attempts to derail the investigation, even ordering an assault on Ajay, are of no avail. The repeated failures displease the Pakistani Intelligence, which dispatch Major Aslam Baig to take care of the business.

The team prepares for a final assault on the gun-running operation and land at Gulfam's mansion. Ajay feels betrayed when he learns of Gulfam's betrayal, but is aware of the lack of evidence to indict him for his crimes. He tricks Gulfam into killing Baig and arrests him for it. Gulfam reveals that he did what he did because of how his experiences during the partition hurt him. Ajay makes him realise that his actions are not benefiting any people of any religion, and Gulfam, unable to stand the humiliation and guilt, commits suicide. His suicide is hushed up, and the team returns to Mumbai to much accolades for busting the terrorist racket. Saleem is tipped on the whereabouts of Veeran, and Ajay embarks on another investigation with his team.

Cast[edit]

Naseeruddin Shah as Gulfam Hassan, a Pakistani singer, the main antagonist who works for ISI a Pakistani Intelligence Agency
Aamir Khan as ACP Ajay Singh Rathod: Gulfam's friend-enemy and Seema's boyfriend
Sonali Bendre as Seema Nagrath: Ajay's girlfriend
Vallabh Vyas as Major Aslam Baig
Dinesh Kaushik as Roshan Nagrath, Seema's brother
Mukesh Rishi as Inspector Saleem Ahmed
Pradeep Rawat as Sultan Deep
Govind Namdev as Veeran
Akhilendra Mishra as Rambandhu Gupta / Mirchi Seth
Makrand Deshpande as Shiva
Rajesh Joshi as Bala Thakur
Salim Shah as Inspector Rajan Yadav
Manoj Joshi as SI Bajju
Ramesh Goyal as Hawaldar Rakesh Kadam
Smita Jaykar as Mrs. Rathod, Ajay's mother
Akash Khurana as Mr. Rathod, Ajay's father
Ahmed Khan as Haji Seth
Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the goon in police custody which gives information after torture
Surekha Sikri as Mrs. Deep, Sultan's mother
Upasana Singh as Mala Sharma
Ashok Lokhande as Chandrapur Hawaldar
Dinesh Phadnis as a SI Crime Branch
Sunil Shende as Deputy Commissioner of Police
Sukanya Kulkarni as Ajay's sister-in-law
Ali Khan as Captain Shafi

Music[edit]

The film's music was composed by Jatin–Lalit. Lyrics are penned by Israr Ansari, Nida Fazli, Sameer Anjaan, and Indeevar. Hosh Walon ko khabar kya was penned by Nida Fazli according to Lalit Pandit. Jatin Pandit on his YouTube channel has specified how the ghazal was originally composed for Bhupinder Singh and Jatin-Lalit recorded Bhupinder's version of the ghazal but on the insistence of the film's administrators and their request for a more popular ghazal singer; they approached Jagjit Singh to sing this ghazal. Jatin also noted that he made it a point to create a new tune for the Jagjit Singh's version as to honor the work put in by Bhupinder earlier.

All lyrics are written by Indeevar, Israr Ansari, Nida Fazli, Sameer; all music is composed by Jatin–Lalit

Track list
No.	Title	Lyrics	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye"	Israr Ansari	Roop Kumar Rathod, Sonu Nigam	06:18
2.	"Hoshwalon Ko Khabar Kya Ghazal"	Nida Fazli	Jagjit Singh	05:02
3.	"Is Deewane Ladke Ko"	Sameer	Alka Yagnik, Aamir Khan	04:40
4.	"Yeh Jawani Hadh Kar De"	Sameer	Kavita Krishnamurthy	04:44
5.	"Jo Haal Dil Ka"	Sameer	Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik	05:26
6.	"Meri Raaton Ki Neendein Uda De"	Indeevar	Alka Yagnik	04:37

Reception[edit]

Critical response[edit]

Upon theatrical release, Sarfarosh received critical acclaim from film critics. Naseeruddin Shah was especially praised for his role of a Muhajir.^[5] The reviewer for Filmfare rated the film four stars out of five and wrote, "What makes this film so exceptional is its carefully thought out characterization and brilliant performances. Although this is his first film, director John Mathew Matthan draws perfectly crafted outputs from his entire cast. Aamir brings the role of A.C.P. Rathod to a never-before-seen dimension of reality." He further added, "Sarfarosh succeeds in connecting with the audiences, as it manages to transcend its medium and do a great deal more than just entertain."^[6]

Suparn Verma of Rediff.com felt that the film "manages to marry serious cinema with the commercial variety" and wrote that the "script has this no-nonsense look to it, clearly and succinctly establishing the protagonist's past ..." In addition to commending the acting performances of Naseeruddin Shah, Aamir Khan and Sonali Bendre, he lauded the departments of direction, music, choreography, and called the camerawork "good in parts but lack[ing] technical finesse".^[7]

Accolades[edit]

Award^[b]	Date of ceremony^[c]	Category	Recipient(s)	Result	Ref.
Filmfare Awards	13 February 2000	Best Film	Sarfarosh	Nominated	^[8] ^[9] ^[10]
		Best Film (Critics)	John Matthew Matthan	Won
		Best Director		Nominated
		Best Screenplay		Won
		Best Actor	Aamir Khan	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	Mukesh Rishi	Nominated
		Best Performance in a Negative Role	Naseeruddin Shah	Nominated
		Best Music Director	Jatin–Lalit	Nominated
		Best Lyricist	Israr Ansari – (for song "Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye")	Nominated
		Best Dialogue	Hriday Lani, Pathik Vats	Won
		Best Editing	Jethu Mundul	Won
International Indian Film Academy Awards	24 June 2000	Best Film	Sarfarosh	Nominated	^[11] ^[12] ^[13]
		Best Director	John Matthew Matthan	Nominated
		Best Story	John Matthew Matthan	Nominated
		Best Actor	Aamir Khan	Nominated
		Best Actress	Sonali Bendre	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	Mukesh Rishi	Nominated
		Best Performance in a Negative Role	Naseeruddin Shah	Won
		Best Lyricist	Israr Ansari – (for song "Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye")	Nominated
		Best Art Direction	Keshto Mandal	Won
National Film Awards	18 September 2000	Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment	Producer: John Matthew Matthan Director: John Matthew Matthan	Won	^[14]
Screen Awards	23 January 2000	Best Film	Sarfarosh	Nominated	^[15] ^[16]
		Best Director	John Matthew Matthan	Nominated
		Most Promising Debut Director		Won
		Best Story		Won
		Best Screenplay		Nominated
		Best Actor	Aamir Khan	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	Mukesh Rishi	Nominated
		Best Lyricist	Israr Ansari – (for song "Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye")	Nominated
		Best Dialogue	Hriday Lani, Pathik Vats	Nominated
		Best Editing	Jethu Mundul	Won
Zee Cine Awards	11 March 2000	Best Director	John Matthew Matthan	Nominated	^[17] ^[18] ^[19] ^[20] ^[21]
		Best Screenplay	John Matthew Matthan	Nominated
		Best Actor – Male	Aamir Khan	Won
		Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male	Mukesh Rishi	Nominated
		Best Performance in a Negative Role	Naseeruddin Shah	Nominated
		Best Lyricist	Israr Ansari – (for song "Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye")	Nominated
		Best Dialogue	Hriday Lani, Pathik Vats	Nominated
		Best Action	Abbas–Hanif	Nominated
		Best Make Up Artist	Deepak Bhatee	Won
		Best Art Direction	Keshto Mandal	Nominated
		Best Sound Recording	Namita Nayak	Nominated

Notes[edit]

^ Awards in certain categories do not have prior nominations and only winners are announced by the jury. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.
^ Awards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order.
^ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References[edit]

^ ^a ^b ^c "Sarfarosh – Movie – Box Office India". boxofficeindia.com.
^ "Rediff On The NeT: Sarfarosh Roars Across America".
^ "Rediff On The NeT, Movies: A look at the year gone by".
^ "1990′s : Decade of change in Hindi Cinema (1999 Part I) » Box Office 18". 21 April 2014.
^ "The enemy within". Rediff.com.
^ "Sarfarosh – A reason to live (FILMFARE ONLINE)". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 17 February 2001. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
^ Verma, Suparn (30 April 1999). "The enemy within". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2003. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
^ IndiaFM News Bureau. "The 45th Filmfare Awards 2000 Nominations". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 19 November 2000. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
^ IndiaFM News Bureau. "The 45th Filmfare Awards 2000 Winners". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 17 October 2000. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
^ "The 45th Filmfare Awards 2000 Winners". Indian Times. The Times Group. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
^ "The 1st IIFA Awards 2000 Nominations Polling". CatchUsLive.com. International Indian Film Academy Awards. Archived from the original on 20 June 2000. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
^ "The 1st IIFA Awards 2000 Winners". International Indian Film Academy Awards. Archived from the original on 12 December 2005. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
^ "The 1st IIFA Awards ceremony". International Indian Film Academy Awards. Archived from the original on 14 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
^ "47th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
^ Express News Service (8 January 2000). "Sixth Annual Screen-Videocon Awards nominations". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
^ "6th Annual Screen Awards – Nominees & Winners for the year 1999". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 18 January 2004. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
^ "The 3rd Zee Cine Awards 2000 Viewers Choice Awards Nominees & Winners". Zee Cine Awards. Zee Entertainment Enterprises. Archived from the original on 17 May 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
^ "The 3rd Zee Cine Awards 2000 Popular Awards Nominees". Zee Next. Zee Entertainment Enterprises. Archived from the original on 14 January 2001. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
^ "The 3rd Zee Cine Awards 2000 Popular Awards Winners". Zee Next. Zee Entertainment Enterprises. Archived from the original on 19 June 2000. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
^ "The 3rd Zee Cine Awards 2000 Technical Awards Nominees". Zee Next. Zee Entertainment Enterprises. Archived from the original on 14 January 2001. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
^ "The 3rd Zee Cine Awards 2000 Technical Awards Winners". Zee Next. Zee Entertainment Enterprises. Archived from the original on 14 January 2001. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

External links[edit]

[8] Awards in certain categories do not have prior nominations and only winners are announced by the jury. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.

[9] Awards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order.

[10] Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

[boxofficeindia.com-1] "Sarfarosh – Movie – Box Office India". boxofficeindia.com.

[2] "Rediff On The NeT: Sarfarosh Roars Across America".

[3] "Rediff On The NeT, Movies: A look at the year gone by".

[4] "1990′s : Decade of change in Hindi Cinema (1999 Part I) » Box Office 18". 21 April 2014.

[5] "The enemy within". Rediff.com.

[6] "Sarfarosh – A reason to live (FILMFARE ONLINE)". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 17 February 2001. Retrieved 25 October 2015.

[7] Verma, Suparn (30 April 1999). "The enemy within". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2003. Retrieved 3 May 2017.

[11] IndiaFM News Bureau. "The 45th Filmfare Awards 2000 Nominations". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 19 November 2000. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

[12] IndiaFM News Bureau. "The 45th Filmfare Awards 2000 Winners". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 17 October 2000. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

[13] "The 45th Filmfare Awards 2000 Winners". Indian Times. The Times Group. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

[14] "The 1st IIFA Awards 2000 Nominations Polling". CatchUsLive.com. International Indian Film Academy Awards. Archived from the original on 20 June 2000. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

[15] "The 1st IIFA Awards 2000 Winners". International Indian Film Academy Awards. Archived from the original on 12 December 2005. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

[16] "The 1st IIFA Awards ceremony". International Indian Film Academy Awards. Archived from the original on 14 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

[17] "47th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

[18] Express News Service (8 January 2000). "Sixth Annual Screen-Videocon Awards nominations". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

[19] "6th Annual Screen Awards – Nominees & Winners for the year 1999". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 18 January 2004. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

[20] "The 3rd Zee Cine Awards 2000 Viewers Choice Awards Nominees & Winners". Zee Cine Awards. Zee Entertainment Enterprises. Archived from the original on 17 May 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

[21] "The 3rd Zee Cine Awards 2000 Popular Awards Nominees". Zee Next. Zee Entertainment Enterprises. Archived from the original on 14 January 2001. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

[22] "The 3rd Zee Cine Awards 2000 Popular Awards Winners". Zee Next. Zee Entertainment Enterprises. Archived from the original on 19 June 2000. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

[23] "The 3rd Zee Cine Awards 2000 Technical Awards Nominees". Zee Next. Zee Entertainment Enterprises. Archived from the original on 14 January 2001. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

[24] "The 3rd Zee Cine Awards 2000 Technical Awards Winners". Zee Next. Zee Entertainment Enterprises. Archived from the original on 14 January 2001. Retrieved 29 July 2022.

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v t e National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
1974–1980	Kora Kagaz (1974) Tapasya (1975) – (1976) Swami (1977) Ganadevata (1978) Sankarabharanam (1979) – (1980)
1981–2000	– (1981) – (1982) – (1983) Kony (1984) – (1985) Samsaram Adhu Minsaram (1986) Pushpaka Vimana (1987) Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) Chandni and Geethanjali (1989) Ghayal (1990) – (1991) Sargam (1992) Darr and Manichitrathazhu (1993) Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) Maachis (1996) Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) Sarfarosh (1999) Vaanathaippola (2000)
2001–present	Lagaan (Once Upon a Time in India) (2001) Devdas (2002) Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003) Autograph and Veer-Zaara (2004) Rang De Basanti (2005) Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) Chak De! India (2007) Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008) 3 Idiots (2009) Dabangg (2010) Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai (2011) Vicky Donor and Ustad Hotel (2012) Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013) Mary Kom (2014) Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) Sathamanam Bhavati (2016) Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) Badhaai Ho (2018) Maharshi (2019) Tanhaji (2020) RRR (2021)

v t e Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film
1971–1980	Uski Roti (1971) Ashadh Ka Ek Din (1972) Maya Darpan (1973) Duvidha (1974) Rajnigandha (1975) Aandhi (1976) Mrigayaa (1977) Shatranj Ke Khilari {The Chess Players} (1978) Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastaan (1979) Jeena Yahan (1980)
1981–2000	Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai (1981) Aadharshila (1982) Masoom (1983) Sookha (1984) Damul (1985) Aghaat (1986) Om-Dar-B-Dar (1989) Khayal Gatha (1990) Kasba (1991) Diksha (1992) Idiot (1993) Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994) Bandit Queen (1995) Bombay (1996) Khamoshi (1997) Virasat (1998) Satya (1999) Sarfarosh (2000)
2001-present	Halo (2001) Dil Chahta Hai (2002) The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2003) Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2004) Dev and Yuva (2005) Black (2006) Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2007) Chak De! India (2008) Mumbai Meri Jaan (2009) Firaaq (2010) Udaan (2011) Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2012) Gangs of Wasseypur (2013) The Lunchbox (2014) Ankhon Dekhi (2015) Piku (2016) Neerja (2017) Newton (2018) Andhadhun (2019) Article 15 and Sonchiriya (2020) Eeb Allay Ooo! (2021) Sardar Udham (2022) Badhaai Do (2023) Joram (2024)