Salaakhen

Salaakhen

Year: 1998

Runtime: 166 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Guddu Dhanoa

DramaAction

After an upright school teacher bravely testifies against the son of a powerful businessman in a rape case, he is subjected to relentless psychological torment that drives him to suicide. Fueled by grief, his teenage son decides to become judge, jury and executioner, seeking vengeance for his father's death.

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Timeline & Setting – Salaakhen (1998)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Salaakhen (1998). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Kandivali, Worli, Mumbai

The story unfolds across Mumbai’s suburban Kandivali and the coastal Worli area, reflecting the city’s diverse social fabric. Kandivali is depicted as the home of a principled, honest teacher and his family, while Worli becomes the backdrop for the crimes that drive the investigation. The urban landscape is shown as a battleground where power, crime, and public institutions collide.

🏙️ Urban 🗺️ Mumbai 🏘️ Suburban

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:36

Main Characters – Salaakhen (1998)

Meet the key characters of Salaakhen (1998), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Vishal S. Agnihotri (Sunny Deol)

A hot-headed young man and the son of Sachidanand, Vishal becomes entangled in a web of crime and vigilantism. He oscillates between personal loyalty and a relentless urge to mete out his own form of justice, committing acts of violence that propel the plot.

🔥 Violent 🕊️ Vengeance ⚖️ Moral conflict

Sachidanand Agnihotri (Anupam Kher)

An honest schoolteacher who dares to testify against a powerful figure, facing harassment and social pressure. His integrity fuels the film’s moral center, culminating in a tragic act that changes everything.

🧑‍🏫 Honest 🛡️ Moral courage 👪 Family man

Gayetri S. Agnihotri (Farida Jalal)

Sachidanand’s wife and Vishal’s mother, she embodies the ordinary, steadfast support of a family under siege by crime and political power. Her resilience underscores the human cost of the tale.

👪 Family 💪 Resilience 🕊️ Supportive

Neha G. Rao (Raveena Tandon)

Vishal’s love interest whose presence intersects personal affection with the turbulence of a city in crisis. Her role adds a human dimension to the protagonist’s actions and their consequences.

❤️ Love interest 🕊️ Compassion 💔 Risk

Nagesh (—)

Son of Jaspal Rana, arrested as a suspect in the crimes. The police and the court’s handling of his case underscores the corrupt processes that drive the plot.

🧪 Suspect 🛡️ Vulnerable 🕳️ Collision with power

Jaspal Rana (Amrish Puri)

A powerful and influential figure whose actions set the conflict in motion. He embodies the corruption and opportunism that threaten the rule of law.

💼 Power 🗡️ Manipulation 🕳️ Corruption

Ashok Pradhan (Mohan Joshi)

Nagesh’s lawyer who uses manipulated witnesses and legal maneuvering to complicate Sachidanand’s testimony. He becomes a target of Vishal’s aggression.

⚖️ Lawyer 🗡️ Cunning 🧠 Manipulation

Kamble (—)

The corrupt Assistant Commissioner of Police who attempts to intimidate witnesses and control the narrative around the case.

👮 Police corruption 🛡️ Intimidation 🔒 Authority

Giri Rao (Deven Verma)

A supporting character whose role is not detailed in the provided summary, serving as part of the film’s broader social milieu.

🗺️ Supporting character 🧭 Peripheral role 🌀 Narrative

Special Appearance in Pichhu Pade Hai Song (Manisha Koirala)

Cameo appearance in the film during the Pichhu Pade Hai song sequence; the exact character name is not specified in the summary.

🎤 cameo 🎬 Special appearance 🕶️ Indirect influence

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:36

Major Themes – Salaakhen (1998)

Explore the central themes of Salaakhen (1998), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔥 Vigilantism

Vishal’s rise as a self-appointed avenger highlights how individuals take the law into their own hands when official channels fail. The film examines the moral costs of vigilante justice, including the cycle of violence it spawns. The narrative asks whether ends justify means in a system riddled by corruption and fear.

⚖️ Corruption and Justice

The plot centers on a corrupt police hierarchy and a compromised legal process, from witness manipulation to a biased inquiry committee. The courtroom and the prison scenes reveal systemic failures that hinder true justice. The story contrasts this corruption with the protagonists’ pursuit of accountability.

💔 Family, Loyalty, and Sacrifice

Honest Sachidanand sacrifices his own safety and life to stay true to his testimony. Vishal navigates his loyalty to his father and his own violent impulses, fundamentally shaping his path. The family’s moral choices drive the film’s emotional core and consequences.

📰 Media Frenzy

News of the murders spreads like a forest fire, shaping public opinion and pressuring the investigation. Media coverage amplifies the spectacle around Vishal and the Rana family, influencing the perception of guilt and innocence. The film uses the media as a narrative force to critique sensationalism.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:36

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Salaakhen Summary

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