Watch Shapath

Shapath, a 1984 Indian crime drama film directed by Ravikant Nagaich, starred Raj Babbar, Smita Patil, and Ranjeet Bedi in prominent roles. The movie revolved around the complex and interwoven stories of four individuals and their motives that lead to betrayal, murder, and revenge. The film opened with Ravi, played by Raj Babbar, a small-time smuggler, and his girlfriend Asha, played by Smita Patil, on their way to deliver drugs. However, things take a sharp turn when they are intercepted by a cop, played by Ranjeet Bedi. In self-defense, Ravi kills the cop and escapes from the scene with Asha. The murder leads to a chain of events that connects Ravi, Asha, and two other central characters, Javed, played by Kumar Gaurav, and his girlfriend Rekha, played by Kajal Kiran.

Javed, a wanted criminal, is on the run and seeks refuge in Ravi's den. He strikes a deal with Ravi, offering a share of the proceeds for protection. However, his growing closeness with Asha makes Ravi suspicious, and he suspects that Javed has an ulterior motive. While Ravi is grappling with his own trust issues, Asha leads a dual life as a bar singer to earn extra cash, and she remains oblivious to the volatile situation.

In the background of this, the cops launch an investigation into the murder of their colleague, and the drug dealings that are happening in the city. The two central characters Inspector Singh, played by Shoma Anand, and her colleague, played by Iftekhar, are on a mission to solve the case and arrest the culprits. The investigation leads to a complex game of cat and mouse between the cops and the criminals. The tension unbearably mounts as each character's story reaches the climax of the film, and the conflicts between them spiral out of control.

The film's chief strength lies in its performances, particularly Raj Babbar and Smita Patil's chemistry. While Raj Babbar's portrayal of Ravi is convincing and nuanced, Smita Patil's portrayal of Asha is sensational, particularly when she is on stage, performing as a bar singer.

The film remarkably captures the complexities of the characters' lives and offers an insight into their motivations for their actions. The characters' layered backstories strengthen the film's message and make the climax of the film more intense and satisfying. The real triumph of the movie is not in the action, but the smart structure of the narrative that keeps one hooked until the end.

The music adds an extra charm to the film. The legendary duo of Laxmikant-Pyarelal composed the music, and the songs are still remembered fondly by many. The soulful rendition of Mohd. Rafi's voice stands out, particularly in the song "Tere Pyar Ki Tamanna."

Overall, Shapath is a classic 1980s crime-drama film that impresses with its intriguing narrative, vivid characters, and tense moments. The film delivers a strong message that crime never pays and offers a potent story-telling experience that keeps the viewer engaged throughout.

Shapath is a 1984 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 8 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.5.