Paap (transl. sin) is a 2003 Indian crime thriller film, directed by Pooja Bhatt in her directorial debut, and features John Abraham, Udita Goswami, Gulshan Grover and Mohan Agashe. The film received mixed reviews from critics, praising its cinematography, and direction, but criticism for the screenplay.[1][2] The film is remembered for its soundtrack and also marked the Bollywood debut of singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan with "Mann Ki Lagan".[3]

Paap
Poster
Directed byPooja Bhatt
Written byMahesh Bhatt
J. P. Dixit (additional dialogue)
Niranjan Iyengar (dialogue)
Produced byPooja Bhatt
StarringJohn Abraham
Udita Goswami
Gulshan Grover
CinematographyAnshuman Mahaley
Edited byAkiv Ali
Music byAnu Malik
Shahzad Hasan
Ali Azmat
Music Mushrooms
Release dates
  • 20 December 2003 (2003-12-20) (Karachi)
  • 30 January 2004 (2004-01-30) (India)
Running time
115 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

The film was inspired by Witness (1985).

Plot

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The story is about a young girl, Kaaya (Udita Goswami), living in the beautiful serene valley of Spiti, waiting to join a Buddhist monastery—an idea that has been fed to her since childhood by her father (Mohan Agashe) and one that she has never questioned. When Lama Norbu (Denzil Smith), a senior lama from the monastery, has a dream that the Buddhist teacher, Rinpoche, has been reborn, he sends Kaaya to Delhi to bring him back to the monastery. Kaaya goes to Delhi and manages to get the child, but just when they are about to return home, the child witnesses the murder of a police officer in a hotel. The investigations are taken over by another police officer, Shiven (John Abraham), who prohibits Kaaya and the young boy from returning home. During this time, the boy identifies Raj Mehra (Gulshan Grover) as the murderer. Soon Shiven finds himself in a web of intrigue and deceit where he can trust no one. He is forced to make an escape to Spiti along with Kaaya and the young boy,  whom he is now determined to protect. Shiven has, however, seriously been injured, and upon reaching Spiti, he has to undergo treatment at Kaaya's home.

While nursing him back to health, Kaaya is attracted to Shiven, an exciting feeling she has never experienced before. Shiven too finds himself drawn to Kaaya, a girl unlike any he has ever known. Kaaya is caught in a dilemma, for she has too long subdued her basic instincts and desires in her search for the 'ultimate truth.' A sexual attraction is one that her conditioned mind sees as a sin (paap), but one she cannot deny. Shiven sees this dilemma and tries to show Kaaya that there is a life out there for which she has a full right to live. In the meantime, Kaaya's father finds out about what has been going on under his roof and is furious with Shiven. He sees Shiven as a polluting influence upon his peaceful life, a man who has brought defiling things like pistols into their home. At this juncture, Shiven's past catches up with them, and Mehra's men are close on his heels.

After much chaos, finally, Shiven and Kaaya are shown reuniting with the passionate kiss in the climax.

Cast

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Release

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The film became the first Bollywood film to be premiered at Karachi International Film Festival (KARA) on 20 December 2003. It was commercially released on 30 January 2004.[4]

Music

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Paap
Soundtrack album by
Shahi, Anu Malik, Music Mashrooms
ReleasedDecember 2003 (2003-12)
GenreFeature film soundtrack, Filmi music
Length63:14
LanguageHindi
LabelSaregama
ProducerShemaroo Entertainment
Pooja Bhatt

The film's music was by Anu Malik, Shahi, Ali Azmat, with several instrumental tracks by Music Mashrooms. The soundtrack featured several instrumental pieces as well as song, notably the hit songs Garaj Baras by Ali Azmat, the lead vocalist of the Pakistani band, Junoon and noted Sufi singer also from Pakistan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's, Laagi Tumse Mann Ki Lagan,[5][6][7] which also marked his debut as a Bollywood playback singer.[8] The songs have been written by Sayeed Quadri, Sabir Zafar, Ali Azmat, Amjad Aslam Amjad.

Track listing

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No.TitleMusicArtist(s)Length
1."Intezaar"Anu MalikAnuradha Paudwal7:52
2."Mann Ki Lagan"Shahzad HasanRahat Fateh Ali Khan4:51
3."Garaj Baras"Ali AzmatAli Azmat4:51
4."Laal (Alaap)"Shahzad HasanFarrukh Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan5:30
5."Sun E Mera Dil"Anu MalikAnuradha Paudwal, Udit Narayan7:30
6."Witness to a Murder"Music MashroomsInstrumental3:30
7."Shiven Gets Shot"Music MashroomsInstrumental3:49
8."Aaj Ki Raat Kat Gayi Toh"Music MashroomsInstrumental3:06
9."Intezaar Interlude"Music MashroomsInstrumental0:59
10."Apna Sa Kuch Dena Chahti Hoon"Music MashroomsInstrumental2:12
11."Apne Chahato Pe Kaboo"Music MashroomsInstrumental3:33
12."Hamesha Ke Liye Kucch Nahin Rehta"Music MashroomsInstrumental1:02
13."Tumhari Jagah Oonchay Aasman Mein Hai"Music MashroomsInstrumental2:32
14."Tasveer Kheecha To"Music MashroomsInstrumental0:56
15."Zindapal"Music MashroomsInstrumental3:49
16."Kis Kis Ko Maro Ge"Music MashroomsInstrumental7:12
Total length:63:14

Reception

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Critical response

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The film received mixed reviews. Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com wrote "Frankly, I had expected something more hard-hitting from this articulate actress turned filmmaker. Although Bhatt maintains an intense mood throughout, Paap isn't sinful enough."[9] Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama gave the film 2.5 stars out of 5, writing "On the whole, PAAP satiates the appetite of the urban audience looking for a story-based fare. At the box-office, the film should find patronage at multiplexes of metros mainly. For those looking for typical Bollywood masala fare, PAAP has very little to offer. Also, lack of aggressive promotion may curtail its business to an extent!."[3] Manish Gajjar of BBC.com wrote "On the whole Paap is different from the regular Bollywood pot boilers. Its different, it's daring but, definitely not sinful."[2]

Awards

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Won

Nominated

  • Zee Cine Award Best Lyricist for The Song "Intezaar".
  • Zee Cine Award Best Debuting Director Pooja Bhatt
  • Zee Cine Award Best Newcomer Udita Goswami

References

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  1. ^ "Paap: Movie Review". Channel 4.
  2. ^ a b "Moview Review: Paap". BBC. April 2005.
  3. ^ a b Taran Adarsh (28 January 2004). "Moview Review: Paap". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 26 September 2008.
  4. ^ "Paap & Pooja". The Times of India. 1 February 2004.
  5. ^ Paap Music Archived 12 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Music Review: If it is music, it's got to be ethnic!". Rediff.com Movies. 14 January 2004.
  7. ^ Joginder Tuteja (22 December 2003). "Music Review: Paap". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 9 February 2009.
  8. ^ Pallavi Jassi (20 April 2008). "Sufi sublime". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 3 October 2012.
  9. ^ "Paap: Not sinful enough!". www.rediff.com.
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