Satya - 1998

Introduction

Introducing 'Satya': An Epic Tale of Truth, Crime, and the Underworld

Get ready to dive into the thrilling world of Mumbai's underworld with the critically acclaimed movie, 'Satya.' Released in 1998, this Indian Hindi-language crime film directed by Ram Gopal Varma takes viewers on a riveting journey through the dark and gritty streets of the city.

The film centers around Satya, a young immigrant searching for employment in Mumbai. As fate would have it, he befriends Bhiku Mhatre, and before long, Satya finds himself drawn into the dangerous and treacherous world of organized crime. Starring J D Chakravarthy,Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpayee, Paresh Rawal, Aditya Srivastava, Saurabh Shukla, 'Satya' boasts a talented ensemble cast.

What sets 'Satya' apart is its striking realism. Director Ram Gopal Varma wanted to capture the authenticity of the Indian underworld, and in doing so, he chose to work with lesser-known actors and hired writers Saurabh Shukla and Anurag Kashyap to pen the screenplay. The result is a raw and gritty portrayal of organized crime that resonates with audiences.

The film's soundtrack, composed by Vishal Bhardwaj, and its score, created by Sandeep Chowta, perfectly complement the intense and thrilling narrative. With lyrics penned by the legendary Gulzar, the music adds another layer of depth to the storytelling.

Upon its release, 'Satya' received widespread critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal and powerful performances. It went on to become a commercial success, grossing ₹15 crore (US$1.9 million) at the box office, and helped launch the careers of talents like Anurag Kashyap and Manoj Bajpayee. The film won six Filmfare Awards and a National Film Award, solidifying its status in Indian cinema.

'Satya' has continued to captivate audiences over the years and is considered a cult classic. Many critics and scholars regard it as one of the greatest films in Indian cinema. Its influence can be seen in subsequent films, including sequels like 'Company' (2002) and 'D' (2005), as well as the direct sequel, 'Satya 2' (2013).

Prepare to be immersed in the world of crime, truth, and friendship with 'Satya.' This iconic film is a must-watch for any lover of thrilling narratives and impeccable filmmaking. Get ready to witness the power of truth in a world filled with lies and deception.

Table of Contents

• Details

• Plot 

• Release

• Watch Free On Youtube

• Reviews

• Rating

• Casting

• Crew

• Songs

• Behind the scenes

• Box office collection

• Character Analysis 

• Intresting Facts

• Sequals
• Conclusion

• How to book a personalised Celebrity Message similar from Satya on Tring

Details 

Release

The movie was released on the 3rd of July 1998. The movie is a crime thriller and was well recived by the audience. The movie grossed a box office collection of 15 crores. It can be enjoyed on Youtube , Amazon prime and Sony Liv. The movie has a runtime of 167 minutes.

Watch Satya Full Movie Free On Youtube

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PlotPlay

Satya, a newcomer to Mumbai, gets a job at a dance bar where he inadvertently gets embroiled in the murky world of Mumbai underworld. After an altercation with a small-time goon, Pakya, and a major criminal, Jagga, Satya is beaten up and then framed by Jagga for procuring. However, a chance meeting in prison with Bhiku Mhatre, a key figure of the underworld who appreciates Satya's courage, drastically changes the trajectory of his life.

Post prison, Satya slowly climbs the underworld ladder. He is released by Mhatre and provided a flat where he meets Vidya, an aspiring singer, and a romantic relationship develops between the two. Satya aids Mhatre in eliminating Jagga and becomes a part of Mhatre's gang. At the same time, he also helps Vidya secure a music project by subtly threatening the dismissing music director, thereby intertwining his life in the underworld with his personal relationships.

The already complex life of Satya spirals out of control when a rival gang leader, Guru Narayan, seeks revenge for Jagga's death. Despite orders to stand down from politician Bhau Thakurdas Jhawle, Satya and his gang kill Guru Narayan. This results in direct enmity with Bhau and increased police attention, leading to the appointment of a new police commissioner, Amodh Shukla.

However, Bhau strategically forgives Mhatre's gang to leverage their aid in winning the elections. Unbeknownst to Satya, Bhau still holds a grudge and kills Mhatre for his earlier disobedience. Satya tries to protect Vidya from his life of crime and plans their move to Dubai, courtesy of Mhatre's earlier offer. But, the police trace Satya, and Vidya learns about his criminal activities.

Following the death of Mhatre, Satya, along with his ally, Kallu Mama, plan to avenge his murder. They kill Bhau during a public event, but Satya gets gravely wounded and decides to meet Vidya one last time before fleeing to Dubai. However, Inspector Khandilkar tracks them down and kills Mama and shoots Satya, inches away from Vidya. The story concludes with Satya collapsing and dying just as he gains access to Vidya's house.

Reviews

Satya has been widely lauded by critics for its gritty and visceral portrayal of the Mumbai underworld. Breaking away from the mold of typical Bollywood cinema, the film speaks in a rough, crude language of the streets while making sure not to offend sensibility. The film has been hailed to valorously reveal the savagery and the profound futility that characterizes the gang wars of our times.

The narrative of the film, hailed as being 'hellishly exciting,' leaves no viewer impassive. Its unabashedly authentic depiction and the intense performances, compounded with a distinctively realistic feel and purposeful pacing, gives Satya a level of engagement which becomes a benchmark for gangster cinema in Bollywood.

Ram Gopal Varma's directorial acumen shines through, marking Satya as the culmination of his work. His characters are filled with an intensity that resonates with the persistence and wrath of Shiva, successfully mirroring their rugged and raw environment. The relationship dynamics portrayed reflect a more polished rendition of his previous works, adding a layer of complexity and relatability.

This film does not shy away from showing the harsh realities of a crumbling society resulting from the rampant criminal activities. It is a 'no punches pulled' movie that has influenced every gangster film that came after it in the Indian film industry.

The technical elements, such as its signature blue-brown color palette, cool camera angles, handheld views, long shots, and noir lighting, capture the stifling complexity and conflicting emotions of its characters, contributing to an unforgettable cinematic experience.

On a whole, Satya's power lies in its raw, compassionate dive into the depths of the underworld. It does not just tell a story; rather, it encapsulates the essence of a path leading to darkness. As a pioneer in its genre, this film is a pivotal milestone in the history of Indian cinema.

Crticial Review 

'Satya' was received with extensive acclaim from critics, respected for its raw, realistic portrayal of the underworld and its ruthless code. Shobhaa De praised the film for its unfiltered representation of the harsh realities of gang wars, mirroring the brutality and futility experienced in our society daily. For Khalid Mohammed, 'Satya' is a stimulating thriller that echoes with effects that leave the viewers challenged and impacted.

Anupama Chopra emphasized that 'Satya' broke numerous Bollywood conventions, terming it a masterclass in integrated aesthetics with a strong sense of realism and deft pacing. Suparn Verma of Rediff.com lauded the film as a pinnacle of Ram Gopal Varma's work, appreciating the potent intensity of the characters and the nuanced depiction of Satya and Vidya's relationship. Other criticisms eulogized the authenticity of the film, presenting an unvarnished image of society's grim truths.

Years after its release, the film continues to garner praise. Jai Arjun Singh hailed it as his favorite Indian gangster film, lauding Varma for his revolutionary storytelling. Deeply moved by the film, Raja Sen credited Satya for influencing all subsequent gangster films and appreciated the harmony of its integral elements - the acting, character development, music, cinematography, and action scenes.

On the 20th anniversary of its release, Sukanya Verma pointed out Satya's cinematographic brilliance. She described the unique blue-brown color palette, the smart camera work (a mix of intriguing angles, hand-held views, and long shots), and the noir lighting, all of which she credited for brilliantly portraying the intense complexity and conflicting emotions of its characters.

Rating

Cast

Crew

Character Analysis

J. D. Chakravarthy as Satya

A newcomer to Mumbai who becomes embroiled in the city's criminal underworld. He transforms from an innocent man seeking employment to a hardened criminal willing to take on even the most influential adversaries. His love for Vidya is his only respite in this world of crime.

Urmila Matondkar as Vidya

An aspiring singer seeking to make it big in the cutthroat music industry. Despite her initially naive view of Satya, she falls in love with him and becomes an anchor in his life amid chaos. When confronted with Satya's criminal life, Vidya struggles to reconcile her love for him with her revulsion of his illegal dealings.

Manoj Bajpayee as Bhiku Mhatre

Manoj Bajpayee as Bhiku Mhatre shines as the powerful and volatile gangster who recognizes Satya's potential and brings him into his gang. Mhatre's decision-making is often driven by intense emotions, ultimately leading to his downfall once he disobeys his political ally Bhau Thakurdas Jhawle.

Paresh Rawal as Police Commissioner Amod Shukla

 A stern, no-nonsense law enforcement officer. He seeks to restore order and stability to Mumbai's criminal landscape, putting him on a collision course with Satya and his gang.

Aditya Srivastava as Inspector Khandilkar

A determined police officer committed to bringing down the nefarious characters ruling Mumbai's underworld. His pursuit of Satya culminates in a dramatic confrontation that ties the film's storylines together.

Saurabh Shukla as Kallu Mama 

Saurabh Shukla brings to life the character of Kallu Mama, a seasoned gangster who is devoted to Satya throughout the film. Despite his criminal life, he possesses a sense of loyalty and honor. Kallu Mama's unwavering commitment to avenging Bhiku Mhatre's death illustrates his strong allegiance to his criminal family, despite the ultimate cost to himself.

Songs

Vishal Bhardwaj was the mind behind the composition of the film's original soundtrack, with Gulzar providing the lyrics. Complementary to this was the background score, a creation by Sandeep Chowta, which was brought out under the Venus Worldwide Entertainment label on July 3, 1998. The album boasts of six tracks, inclusive of one instrumental piece. November 1998 saw the release of the film's 23-track background score as a separate album, entitled 'Satya: The Sound'. Notable voices such as Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Suresh Wadkar, Mano, Hariharan, and Bhupinder Singh further elevated the songs.

This marks the second product of the music collaboration between Gulzar and Bhardwaj, with the first being the 1996 film 'Maachis'. In an article from The Hindu, the significance of original soundtracks in Indian films was discussed, citing 'Satya' as interest piqued, particularly Chowta's contribution in the background score. The evocative score in the movie was known to immerse the audience within the characters' psyche. The haunting undertones of the score became especially highlighted with every gunshot or close-ups of the actors, creating a surreal tie between the auditory and visual experience.

Behind The ScenesPlay

Satya was released 25 years ago and Anupama Chopra on her Youtube channel Film Companion, brought Ram Gopal Varma, Manoj Bajpayee, Shefali Shah, and Saurabh Shukla together for a nostalgic reunion filled with most interesting stories from back then, things that happened behind the scene and lot more fun.

Box Office Collection

Overall, 'Satya' was declared a hit at the box office, earning a place as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 1998.

Awards

Interesting Facts

• Bajpayee, even having extreme fear of heights, was feeling dicey, filming a scene for two hours where he is standing at the edge of a cliff.
• The title role of Satya was initially planned for Manoj Bajpayee, but as the characters developed and became clear director Varma wanted someone with a good command on Hindi for the role of Bhiku Mhatre. However, Bajypayee was unhappy with the decision.
• While deciding authentic names for the the characters, an office boy named Bhiku came and that is how the character of Manoj Bajpayee was named.
• Female lead was initially offered to Mahima Chaudhary, but was replaced by Urmila Matondkar.
• The song 'Kallu Mama' was filmed by Varma himself because the cinematographer was absent on the day of the shoot.

Sequals - Satya 2

'Satya' proudly stood as the inaugural film in Ram Gopal Varma's Gangster trilogy, later accompanied by 'Company' in 2002 and 'D' in 2005. A follow-up to the original, 'Satya 2', was unveiled in 2013. 'Company' fielded an ensemble cast featuring Mohanlal, Manisha Koirala, Vivek Oberoi, and Ajay Devgn. Its storyline drew inspiration from the infamous D-Company headed by Dawood Ibrahim. The film met with considerable acclaim upon release. Subsequently, 'D', headlined by Randeep Hooda and under Varma's production, didn't manage to garner as much success as its preceding films. On the other hand, 'Satya 2' failed to make an impact, both critically and commercially. Critic Saibal Chatterjee noted that 'Satya', revered as the definitive portrayal of the underworld and its mafioso, remained uncompromised and did not warrant retelling.

Conclusion 

The crime drama genre has been forever changed by Satya, a seminal work of Indian cinema. It has received great praise from critics for its realistic representation of Mumbai's criminal underbelly, inventive storytelling approach, and standout performances from its ensemble cast. The sophisticated and nuanced characters from the movie, especially Satya, Bhiku Mhatre, and Vidya, have become legendary in Indian cinema. For aficionados of criminal dramas, Satya is still a masterpiece of Indian film and a must-see.

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