Hatya

Hatya

Year: 1988

Runtime: 151 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Kirti Kumar

DramaAction

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.

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Timeline & Setting – Hatya (1988)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Hatya (1988). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Though not dated to a specific year, the events unfold in a contemporary urban setting, focusing on crime, family secrets, and moral choices. The narrative covers a tight, tense period rather than spanning years. The tone is driven by night-time incidents, investigations, and confrontations.

Location

Set in a bustling urban Indian city, the story moves through crowded streets, markets, and a seafront where a body is recovered. The urban backdrop highlights crime, corruption, and the fragility of ordinary lives. The sea and cityscape provide a stark contrast to the private turmoil of the main characters.

🏙️ Urban 🌊 Coastal 🔪 Crime

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:31

Main Characters – Hatya (1988)

Meet the key characters of Hatya (1988), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Surendra Mohan (Anupam Kher)

A wealthy, calculating businessman who uses charm and influence to mask violent acts. He orchestrates the murder of Mohan and the stabbing of Meena, then attempts to bury the evidence and silence witnesses. He relies on manipulation and intimidation to protect his reputation, turning fear into compliance. His crimes stay hidden until the final confrontation tests his control over the truth.

💼 Power 🔪 Violence 🧠 Manipulation

Lohar (Johnny Lever)

A sturdy blacksmith who becomes an unlikely ally to Sagar. He helps uncover the truth by assisting in the creation of a portrait of Ranjeet for Raja to identify his mother’s killer. He provides practical help and steady, loyal support in a case ruled by fear and deception. His presence grounds the investigation with a reliable, no-nonsense perspective.

🛠️ Helper 🕵️‍♂️ Witness 🤝 Ally

Inspector Ashok Gupta (Rajkiran)

A tough, dogged police officer who pursues the case but also embodies the flawed system at times, using coercive methods to extract information. He elevates the pursuit of truth while navigating the complex web of crime and cover-ups. His actions drive the investigation forward, even as ethical lines blur. He ultimately anchors the procedural arc of the film.

🎯 Law 🕵️ Investigation 🧭 Authority

Sagar (Govinda)

A wealthy, grieving widower who becomes a depressive street performer. He forms a deep bond with the found child Raja and tries to raise him as his own, all while battling alcoholism. His journey moves from self-doubt to responsibility, culminating in a determination to uncover the truth and protect Raja at all costs. He embodies a fragile hope that family can be built anew.

❤️ Father figure 🥃 Addiction 🧭 Protector

Father Joseph Sebastian (Satyendra Kapoor)

A priest who acts as a confidant and informant, connecting Meena's past to the present. He provides crucial information that helps locate Raja's mother and situates Meena's disappearance within a larger moral fabric. His calm presence offers a moral counterpoint to the film's chaos. He represents guidance and a path to truth.

🙏 Spiritual 🗝️ Informant 🔒 Keeper of secrets

Sapna (Neelam Kothari)

A wealthy young woman who befriends Raja and grows close to Sagar, while bearing a striking resemblance to Sagar's late wife. Her presence adds emotional complexity as she navigates love, loyalty, and the shock of family secrets. She becomes a catalyst in the pursuit of truth and a new sense of family for Raja.

❤️ Love interest 🧭 Catalyst 🏛️ Wealth

Mohan (Satish Kaul)

Mohan is Surendra Mohan's manager, whose extramarital affair with Surendra's wife sparks motive for murder. He becomes a key figure in the web of deceit surrounding the family and business. His involvement underscores the perilous intersection of power, jealousy, and betrayal.

💼 Manager 💔 Affair 🔎 Key witness

Kailash Nath (Om Shivpuri)

A wealthy patriarch and Sapna's father who becomes entangled in the case when he learns Raja's true parentage. He files a police complaint against Sagar and supports the pursuit of the truth. His involvement amplifies the stakes, linking family pride to justice.

👨‍👩‍👧 Father figure 💼 Wealth 🔎 Investigation

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:31

Major Themes – Hatya (1988)

Explore the central themes of Hatya (1988), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Justice & Truth

Meena's murder, Raja's silent plea for help, and the detective's pursuit drive the plot toward truth and accountability. The film questions whether justice can be served within a flawed system, and whether truth can be separated from revenge. The confrontation reveals hidden relationships and motive, forcing characters to confront their own pasts. The resolution hinges on the power of a child's testimony and the courage of those who seek the right outcome.

🧭 Redemption

Sagar's journey from despair to responsibility anchors the film's emotional arc. His decision to quit drinking after the near-death incident marks a turning point toward care for Raja. The path to redemption is painful and gradual, shaped by guilt, love, and a desire to protect a vulnerable child. It shows that people can choose a better path even after deep failures.

👪 Family & Kinship

The story centers on a found family formed between Sagar and Raja, with Sapna's presence and Kailash Nath's involvement shaping the dynamics. The absence of biological ties contrasts with the strength found in care, loyalty, and mutual protection. Sapna's feelings complicate loyalties as truths about Raja's parentage emerge. The film portrays family as something built through action, not just blood.

🔍 Secrets & Deception

Hidden affairs, kidnapping plots, and concealed parentage drive the suspense. Characters navigate evidence, lies, and truth to protect or expose each other. The revelation of Raja's identity reframes loyalties and motives.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:31

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Hatya Summary

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Hatya Summary

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Hatya Timeline

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