June 11 marks 45 years since Karz first hit theatres — a film that was once dismissed, but today stands tall as a visionary cult classic in Indian cinema.
Directed by Subhash Ghai, Karz is a spine-chilling saga of love, betrayal, murder, and reincarnation. The story begins with Ravi Verma (Raj Kiran), a young heir returning home with good news — a court ruling has secured his father’s wealth. But before he can celebrate, he is betrayed and murdered by his greedy lover Kamini (Simi Garewal). But destiny had other plans.
Two decades later, Monty (Rishi Kapoor), a rising rockstar, begins experiencing eerie flashbacks of a life he’s never lived. Haunted by the past, Monty embarks on a soul-searching journey to uncover the truth behind those visions — and to seek justice for the life he once lost.
With an unforgettable soundtrack by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, including “Om Shanti Om,” “Ek Haseena Thi,” and “Dard-E-Dil,” Karz had all the right ingredients. Yet, when it released in 1980, the film bombed — panned by critics and overlooked by audiences who found it too “urban” and too “experimental.” Rishi Kapoor was deeply affected by the failure, reportedly requiring hospitalization due to depression. But Ghai held firm in his belief that the film was “ahead of its time.” Time proved him right.
Today, Karz is revered as one of Bollywood’s most iconic films, its legacy immortalized further when Farah Khan paid tribute in 2007 with Om Shanti Om. The reincarnation drama — starring Shah Rukh Khan and debutante Deepika Padukone — opened with Rishi Kapoor’s glittering performance in “Om Shanti Om,” seamlessly blending past and present in cinematic homage.
From a misunderstood flop to a pop-culture phenomenon, Karz has proved one thing for sure: stories never truly die — they just wait for their time to be reborn.
So, the question remains: Do you believe in reincarnation?
