Trinetra
Trinetra is a 1991 Indian Hindi-language action film directed by Harry Baweja.[1] The film stars Mithun Chakraborty, Shilpa Shirodkar, and Deepa Sahi in lead roles, with Dharmendra in a special appearance.[1] It was produced by Tarlochan S. Baweja and features music composed by Anand–Milind.[1] The story revolves around themes of revenge and justice, as per the film's narrative.[1]Production
Development
Trinetra marked the directorial debut of Harry Baweja, who transitioned from assisting on films by producer-director B. Subhash to helm his first feature as a filmmaker.[1] The project originated under Baweja Movies Pvt. Ltd., with production handled by Tarlochan S. Baweja, Harry's father, emphasizing a family-driven venture in the burgeoning action genre of early 1990s Bollywood.[2] This debut effort drew on conventional revenge themes prevalent in Hindi cinema at the time, focusing on a narrative of retribution against drug traffickers, structured around a dual role for the protagonist to heighten dramatic tension.[3] The story was written by Harry Baweja, with the screenplay by Dharam Veer Ram and dialogues by Rahi Masoom Raza, prioritizing high-stakes action sequences and moral dichotomies typical of the era's mass entertainers.[4] Pre-production planning centered on assembling a cast suited to the action-drama format, with key creative decisions revolving around integrating elements of familial loyalty and vigilante justice to appeal to mainstream audiences.[2] The film was conceived as a Hindi-language production, running 157 minutes, and slated for theatrical release on 12 July 1991.[1]Casting
Mithun Chakraborty took on the dual lead role in Trinetra, portraying both Shiva, the protagonist driven by a quest for revenge, and Tony Fernandes, a disguised identity he assumes during the story.[1][5] This casting choice highlighted Chakraborty's versatility in action films, allowing him to embody multiple facets of the central character.[1] Shilpa Shirodkar was cast as Mona, serving as the female lead and love interest opposite Chakraborty's character.[1][5] Deepa Sahi played Seema, a maternal figure on her own path intertwined with the revenge theme.[1][4] Dharmendra made a special appearance as Raja, a pivotal father figure whose role sets the narrative in motion.[1][6] This guest role leveraged Dharmendra's stature in Bollywood to add emotional weight to the family-driven elements.[7] The supporting cast featured prominent antagonists, including Amrish Puri as the menacing Singhania, the central villain involved in illicit activities, and Shakti Kapoor as Ghanashyam, another key adversary.[8][5] Additional performers such as Kader Khan as Shyam, Gulshan Grover, and Laxmikant Berde filled out the ensemble, contributing to the film's array of conflicting characters in the drug-related underworld.[8][4]Filming
The principal photography for Trinetra was handled by cinematographer Damodar Naidu, who focused on capturing the film's dynamic action sequences and dramatic visuals to enhance its thriller elements.[8] The editing was overseen by Kuldip K. Mehan, who assembled the footage into the final 157-minute runtime.[8][9] Filming occurred primarily in India, utilizing urban environments and constructed action sets to portray the story's drug trafficking operations and revenge-driven confrontations. The production wrapped without any major reported challenges or delays, adhering to a conventional schedule typical of 1990s Bollywood action films.[8]Synopsis and cast
Plot
The story of Trinetra centers on Shiva, portrayed by Mithun Chakraborty, who was separated from his mother Seema, played by Deepa Sahi, at birth following the murder of his father Raja by the ruthless drug lord Singhania and his gang. Raja, an aspiring singer, was lured with a performance opportunity in Dubai but killed for refusing to smuggle narcotics.[1] Seema, pregnant at the time, escapes the attack, gives birth to Shiva near a temple, but is separated from the infant when Maria Fernandes adopts him, believing Seema dead. Driven by grief, Seema kills one of the assailants in vengeance but is arrested and imprisoned.[3][10] Raised as Tony Fernandes, Shiva grows up unaware of his heritage until he learns the truth about his parents. To exact revenge, he assumes the alias Tony Fernandes and infiltrates the drug syndicate, rising through its ranks while concealing his true identity and motives.[11] An interwoven subplot highlights Shiva's developing romance with Mona, enacted by Shilpa Shirodkar, which provides emotional depth amid the escalating tension. The narrative builds to intense climactic confrontations, where long-buried family connections are unveiled, culminating in a showdown that resolves the cycles of retribution.[3] Throughout, the film integrates themes of unbreakable familial bonds and a strong anti-drug message, emphasized via high-stakes action sequences that underscore the perils of narcotics trafficking.[1]Cast
Trinetra features an ensemble cast typical of 1990s Bollywood action films, with Mithun Chakraborty in the lead dual role and supporting performances from established actors enhancing the revenge-driven narrative.[1][4] The major and supporting cast includes:| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Mithun Chakraborty | Shiva / Tony Fernandes |
| Shilpa Shirodkar | Mona |
| Deepa Sahi | Seema |
| Dharmendra | Raja (special appearance) |
| Amrish Puri | Singhania |
| Kader Khan | Shyam |
| Shakti Kapoor | Ghanshyam (antagonist's henchman) |
| Anupam Kher | Father Patrick |
| Gulshan Grover | Gulshan (guitarist, henchman) |
| Mahesh Anand | Frank (henchman) |
Soundtrack
Track listing
The soundtrack of Trinetra consists of ten songs composed by the duo Anand–Milind, with lyrics penned by Sameer, and has a total runtime of approximately 46 minutes.[12] These tracks are integrated into the film's narrative to enhance emotional depth, appearing in romantic interludes between the protagonists and during intense revenge montages.[13]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Main Tujhe Chhod Ke Kahaan Jaoonga (Happy) | Kumar Sanu | 5:48 | Romantic solo |
| 2 | Kehni Hai Ek Baat | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sapna Mukherjee | 6:20 | Upbeat duet |
| 3 | Main Tujhe Chhod Ke Kahaan Jaoonga, Pt. 2 | Kumar Sanu | 5:22 | Romantic continuation |
| 4 | Aaja Aaja Kya Khayega | Jolly Mukherjee | 3:58 | Playful solo |
| 5 | Main Tujhe Chhod Ke Kahaan Jaoonga (Sad) | Kumar Sanu | 5:30 | Reflective solo |
| 6 | Dekhenge Dekhenge | Amit Kumar | 5:15 | Lively solo |
| 7 | Aaya Main Yahan | Kumar Sanu | 5:45 | Romantic solo |
| 8 | Talk of the Town | Kavita Krishnamurthy | 4:30 | Upbeat solo |
| 9 | Main Tujhe Chhod Ke Kahaan Jaoonga (Sad, Pt. 2) | Kumar Sanu | 4:58 | Emotional solo |
| 10 | Title Music | Anand–Milind | 1:30 | Instrumental |