indian cinema heritage foundation

Kalyug (1981)

  • Release Date1981
  • GenreDrama
  • FormatColour
  • LanguageHindi
  • Run Time148 min
  • Length4185.94 meters
  • Number of Reels16
  • Gauge35 mm
  • Censor RatingU
  • Censor Certificate Number97005
  • Certificate Date28/03/1981
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Ramchand and Bhishamchand (A.K. Hangal) were two pioneering brothers in the industrial field. Bhishamchand, a life-long bachelor brought up the two sons of Ramchand on his demise. He also gave the family business a firm foundation. Khubchand (Vinod Doshi) is the older son married to Devki (Vijaya Mehta) and in turn has two sons, Dhanraj (Victor Banerjee) and Sandeepraj (Akash Khurana). Dhanraj is married to Vibha (Rajshri Sarabhai). They have two young daughters. Sandeepraj suffers from a heart condition. Khubchand himself is now an invalid. 

Puranchand, Khubchand’s younger brother died a few years ago. He was married to Savitri (Sushma Seth). His three sons are Dharamraj (Raj Babbar), Balraj (Kulbhushan Kharbanda) and Bharatraj (Anant Nag). Dharamraj is married to Supriya (Rekha) sister of Kishanchand (Amrish Puri) another industrialist. Dharamraj and Supriya have a young son born after they have already been married for some time. He is now nine years old. Balraj married to Kiran (Reema Lagoo) has a seventeen year old son Sunil (Sunil Shanbag). Bharatraj get married to Kishanchand’s daughter (Supriya Pathak). 

After Puranchand’s death, the family parted ways but each did well in the same line of business. 

Karan Singh (Shashi Kapoor) is an orphan brought up by Bhishamchand. Karan Singh and Dhanraj are great friends. Karan, who got his degree at Oxford works for Dhanraj. 

The two families invariably bid for the same government contracts. In the last few cases, however, the contracts have consistently gone to the Khubchand family. Young and enterprising Bharatraj is very upset by this series of business defeats. He discovers the reason in a casual conversation with Bhishamchand. His chancing upon this confidential information not only reverses the trend but also serves to jeopardize the earlier contracts of the Khubchand company which are in the process of completion. 

Three imported machines are involved in these contracts that belong to the Government. These are essential for completing the earlier contracts of the Khubchand company. By getting the last contract on the basis of this information, Bharatraj stakes a legal claim for the machines. The transfer of these to the Puranchand company would spell ruin for the Khubchands. 

The long hidden feud between the two families now comes to light and despite Bhishamchand’s efforts to mediate between the two, the situation gets out of hand and events take a tragic turn. Quite a few skeletons from the family cupboard are brought out in the open which only adds to the tensions and hatred, finally culminating in the destruction of the two families making us ponder on the brittleness of our moral fabric. 

[From the official press booklet]

Cast

Crew

Awards

Filmfare Awards, 1982