The Chain

(Zanjeer) Director: Prakash Mehra, IND - USA, 1973, Hindi / English subtitles, 145 min

“This is the perfect example of the right film at the right time. It came at a time when the country was tiring of Rajesh Khanna’s romantic mannerisms and turning to more real issues, the issue of day–to–day living. There was much disillusionment, especially among the youth of the country, a quarter of a century after Indian Independence. Life had become one big struggle, corruption was rife, unemployment was an all time high. And then Zanjeer happened. Audiences were stunned and happily embraced this new hero – the ‘angry young man’ as he took on his problems and solved them himself, even taking recourse outside the law if need be.”