Disaster on the Rails: A Look Back at The Burning Train (1980)

Released in 1980, The Burning Train is a Bollywood classic that continues to hold a special place in cinema history. Directed by Ravi Chopra and produced by B.R Chopra, the film boasts an all-star cast featuring Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Vinod Khanna, Vinod Mehra, Hema Malini, Parveen Babi, Neetu Singh, Danny Denzongpa, Navin Nischol and Simi Garewal.

What is the plot?

The plot centers around the inaugural journey of the Super Express, a marvel of engineering designed to be India's fastest train. Tragedy strikes when the Super Express catches fire on its maiden run from New Delhi to Mumbai.  As the flames engulf the train, passengers fight for survival while heroes emerge in the face of disaster.

The melody of the time.

The iconic music was composed by R.D. Burman with lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi and won the hearts of the audience where the melodious voices of singers like Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, Mohammad Rafi, Usha Mangeshkar, Padmini Kolhapure, and Sushma Shrestha can be heard in the songs, "Pehli Nazar Mein Humne To Apna Dil De Diya Tha", and "Teri Hai Zameen Tera Aasman".

A cult classic film praised by critics

The Burning Train was praised for its thrilling action sequences, particularly impressive for Indian cinema of the time. Critics also lauded the performances of the ensemble cast, each adding their own layer to the story. However, the film's length drew some criticism. Despite this, The Burning Train was a commercial success, ranking as the 7th highest-grossing film of 1980. Although its high budget resulted in an "Average" declaration at the box office.

However, over time, the film has gained a devoted following and is now considered a cult classic. The Burning Train remains a testament to the enduring appeal of Bollywood action cinema and its ability to weave together thrilling action with dramatic storytelling.

 

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