Karma (Hindi:कर्मा) is a 1986 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Subhash Ghai and featuring an ensemble cast including Dilip Kumar, Nutan, Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Sridevi, Poonam Dhillon, Satyanarayana Kaikala and Anupam Kher. The film reunites Subhash Ghai and Dilip Kumar after the success of their last film together Vidhaata (1982). The film also marked the first time Dilip Kumar was paired with veteran actress Nutan. It was the top grossing Indian film of 1986 and the eleventh highest-grossing Bollywood film of the decade.[2][3]
Rana Vishwa Pratap Singh, an ex-high ranking police officer is in charge of a jail that successfully reforms criminals. He is informed that Dr. Michael Dang, the head of a major terrorist organisation, Black Star has been captured, and is being transferred to his prison. Dang assaults a jail warden during an argument. Vishwa slaps Dang. Dang vows revenge for it.
While Vishwa is away, Black Star terrorists free Dang by launching a surprise attack, destroying the prison and killing Vishwa's family who lived nearby. However, his wife is spared. After a period of mourning, Vishwa embarks on a mission to bring Dang and Black Star to justice. The mission is approved by the Indian Government, and Vishwa successfully recruits Baiju Thakur, Johnny/Gyaneshwar, and an ex-terrorist Khairuddin "Khairu" Chishti.
Under the disguise of a forest ranger, Vishwa sets up bases near the Indian border where they believe Dang's compound is located. Vishwa, Baiju, Johnny and Khairu form a strong bond during their training, and Baiju and Johnny fall in love with Radha and Tulsi, respectively. Khairu pleads with Vishwa to let Baiju and Johnny leave as he believes they have been reformed. Vishwa is unhappy to hear this.
As far as Vishwa is concerned their only motive was to complete the mission. The terrorists shoot him while he protects Baiju, Johnny and Khairu who are locked in a nearby building. Vishwa is hospitalized. The three soldiers are distraught and realize they need to complete the mission for Singh.
They receive intelligence on the exact location of Dr Dang's compound which they successfully infiltrate. With the help of Indian army soldiers who have been held captive by the terrorists, they set about destroying the compound and killing the terrorists. It soon becomes apparent that the destruction of the heavily guarded munitions center is the only way the terrorist organisation can be defeated. Khairu hatches a plan that involves driving a truck filled with explosives into the heart of the building. Baiju and Johnny argue that the plan is too dangerous and they would all be killed in the process. Khairuddin decides to sacrifice himself to secure victory. Johnny and Baiju return to the main compound and kill the remaining terrorists bringing the battle to its conclusion. Singh, having made a swift recovery, joins the battle and kills Dr. Dang thus completing the mission.
The two surviving soldiers are awarded bravery medals and a posthumous award is granted to Khairu.
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi