Year: 1988
Runtime: 151 mins
Language: Hindi
Director: Kirti Kumar
After his wife Sheila and son Raja die, Sagar sinks into drinking and performs at weddings. One night he finds a deaf‑mute boy in a trash can, adopts him and names him Raja. Wealthy businessman Kailash Nath later alleges Sagar kidnapped the child's grandmother and committed murder. Sagar is detained, killers who think the boy saw a crime target him.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen Hatya yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!
Read the complete plot breakdown of Hatya (1988), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
On a dark night, a newborn baby and his widowed mother Meena are witnesses to a brutal crime: Surendra Mohan and his henchman Ranjeet murder Mohan, the manager of a wealthy but powerful man, and then dump Mohan’s body into the sea. The infant survives the savage act, escaping the killers and beginning a life shadowed by the trauma he witnessed as a child.
Years later, Sagar has become a wealthy yet deeply troubled man, sinking into alcoholism and life as a street performer after the death of his wife Sheela and their newborn son Raja. One night, amid the bottle’s haze, he encounters the same boy near a neglected waste container. Compassion takes over, and he brings the boy home, naming him Raja after his late child. Yet Sagar’s drinking persists, and Raja’s presence remains a quiet, pressing reminder of the crime that haunts the city.
Raja, though deaf-mine by birth, often glimpses Surendra Mohan and Ranjeet in the streets and tries to signal to Sagar through sign language that they are the ones who killed his mother. The boy’s silent pleas go unheard by many, but the trail does not stay hidden for long. When Mohan’s body is recovered, Inspector Ashok Gupta steps into the case, and Surendra Mohan and Ranjeet do what they can to cover their tracks. Their efforts to erase the truth include an increasingly desperate attempt to silence Raja, bringing the danger to Sagar and the boy more closely to home.
To shield Raja from further harm, Sagar’s stubborn courage surfaces just as darkness closes in. One night, while Sagar is heavily intoxicated, the criminals nearly succeed in finishing their plan, but Sagar manages to save Raja at the last moment and, in the wake of the rescue, vows to abandon drinking forever.
Into this fragile balance steps Sapna, a wealthy young woman who repeatedly crosses paths with Sagar and Raja at bustling shopping centers. She grows to believe that Raja is Sagar’s son, and the two become closer as she finds herself drawn to him—and, in some ways, to the memory of Sheela, Sagar’s late wife. Sapna’s warmth and concern begin to soften the rough edges of Sagar’s grief, and the pair, together with Raja, venture toward Sapna’s home, where Raja sees a photograph of Sapna with her widowed father, Kailash Nath, and learns of family ties that begin to illuminate the mystery of his own birth.
Within this web of connections, Kailash Nath learns from Father Joseph Sebastian that Raja is Meena’s son, and that Meena’s whereabouts remain unknown. The revelation shakes Kailash Nath and Sapna, prompting Kailash Nath to file a police report, suspecting that Sagar may have kidnapped Meena. As the case intensifies, Sagar is arrested, subjected to torture, and imprisoned under Inspector Gupta’s watch. The investigation proceeds with the family in tow, visiting Raja’s house and invoking a detection dog that uncovers a grisly clue: a cloth bearing signs of Meena’s body buried beneath the ground.
The discovery weighs heavily on Sapna and Kailash Nath, while Inspector Gupta weighs the evidence and begins to doubt the certainty the case once seemed to promise. Meena’s likeness and the boy’s connections point to Sagar’s possible involvement, but Sapna refuses to abandon Sagar’s side. In a bid to uncover the deeper truth, Sagar escapes custody and seeks the help of Lohar, a skilled blacksmith who knows the city’s secrets. Lohar assists by crafting a portrait of Ranjeet that Raja can recognize, a crucial step toward identifying the man who killed Raja’s mother.
With newfound resolve, Sagar confronts Surendra Mohan and threatens to reveal everything, hoping to bring truth to light through Raja’s testimony. Inspector Gupta moves to secure Surendra Mohan’s consent for Raja to testify, while a web of personal revelations emerges: Surendra Mohan reveals that his wife’s affair with Mohan drove the tragedy, and claims she has gone to Switzerland to escape the guilt. Yet the past refuses to stay buried.
The story takes a brutal turn when Surendra Mohan and Ranjeet kidnap Sagar and Raja from Sapna’s home, forcing them into a trap at Sagar’s residence. There, Surendra Mohan confesses to murdering his wife as well as Mohan and attempts to brainwash Sagar into committing suicide, threatening to kill Raja if he resists. Although Sagar nearly succumbs, Raja creates a distraction that frees him and allows Raja to strike back. He kills Surendra Mohan by hanging him from the same noose, a grim act born of desperation and justice.
In the aftermath, a furious Sagar repays Ranjeet’s brutality with punishment, and Sapna arrives at the scene with Inspector Gupta to take control of the situation. Ranjeet is finally arrested, and Sagar is cleared of all charges as truth finally surfaces. The city breathes a sigh of relief as Raja’s identity is vindicated, and the trio—Sagar, Raja, and Sapna—begin to look toward a future where the past no longer shadows every step they take.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:34
Don't stop at just watching — explore Hatya in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Hatya is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Hatya with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like Hatya that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
Hatya (1988) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
Hatya (1988) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Hatya (1988) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow
Movies Like Hatya – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Bagavathi (2002) Story Summary & Characters
Athidhi (2007) Detailed Story Recap
Kismat (2004) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Yodha (1991) Film Overview & Timeline
Haatim Tai (1990) Detailed Story Recap
Vidhaata (1982) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Hukumat (1987) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Yateem (1988) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Adalat (1976) Story Summary & Characters
Yeshwant (1997) Story Summary & Characters
Haath Ki Safai (1974) Full Movie Breakdown
Besharam (1978) Full Movie Breakdown
Tirangaa (1993) Full Summary & Key Details
Haqeeqat (1995) Detailed Story Recap
Hameshaa (1997) Film Overview & Timeline