Mumbai, February 9 – The legendary 1984 action-drama ‘Mashal’ marked its 42nd anniversary on Monday, stirring a wave of nostalgia among Bollywood fans. Directed by the master storyteller Yash Chopra, this film brought together titans like Dilip Kumar, Anil Kapoor, and Amrish Puri in a gripping tale of crime, justice, and family bonds.
Anil Kapoor, who rose to stardom with his breakout role in the movie, took to Instagram to commemorate the milestone. Sharing the film’s poster on his stories, he captioned it simply yet powerfully: ‘Celebrating 42 years of Mashal.’ The post instantly transported fans back to an era of raw emotion and powerful performances.
Adapted from the Marathi play ‘Ashrunchi Zhali Phule,’ the screenplay was penned by Javed Akhtar in his debut solo writing venture after the Salim-Javed duo parted ways. The story revolves around Raja, a slum-dwelling youth played by Anil Kapoor, who transforms into a journalist fighting corruption and mafia influence. Dilip Kumar shone as the honest editor Vinod Kumar, embodying integrity amid societal decay.
The film’s narrative masterfully weaves themes of lost ideals and redemption, with standout roles by Rati Agnihotri and Waheeda Rehman adding depth. Amrish Puri’s menacing presence elevated the tension, making ‘Mashal’ a benchmark for socially relevant cinema.
Anil Kapoor’s journey from ‘Mashal’ to global fame continues unabated. Fans eagerly await his appearance in the upcoming Netflix series ‘Family Business,’ directed by Hansal Mehta. This high-stakes corporate drama features him alongside Vijay Varma for the first time, exploring power struggles within families. The ensemble cast includes Riya, Aakash Khurana, Neha Dhupia, Anant Nag, Kanwaljit Singh, Dhruv Sehgal, Nandish Sandhu, Tina Desai, and Raima Sen, promising another riveting chapter in Kapoor’s illustrious career.