20 Years of Sriram Raghavan's 'Ek Hasina Thi': Why this is still one of Saif Ali Khan-Urmila Matondkar's best films

Sriram Raghavan loves Cinema, not only making it but watching it too and seeking inspiration from what he admires. His first film has the title of an iconic song from Rishi Kapoor’s Karz, Ek Hasina Thi. This chilling thriller turned 20 on January 16 and two decades later, one can have a better sense of the moniker. It’s not just an ode to that song, it’s much more. The story is about Karan and Sarika, played by Saif Ali Khan and Urmila Matondkar , two people who meet and fall in love. But since this is a world of Raghavan and Ram Gopal Varma, who produced the film, the romance unfolds with a sense of restraint and also a tinge of madness. There are scenes that are shot with silence that only add palpable tension to their almost sexual chemistry, especially the one at Sarika’s house. But since the makers have to get to the intent of the title, and since this is a thriller, sexual intensity is soon followed by subterfuge. The plot twist everyone is aware of by now brings back memories of Sridevi and Rahul Roy’s track from Gumraah (1993). But unlike Sridevi, Matondkar’s not a damsel-in-distress. She swears vengeance after being through hell. Hell hath no fury like a Hasina scorned. Matondkar conveyed so much through her eyes, both fragility and fear, when she was backed by solid filmmakers and searing stories. She had a dream run with RGV and who would’ve thought this would be their final worthy collaboration. She did do a special song in Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag, which tanked the moment it came out. Anyway, with Sarika, she brought out the evil in her after the angel in her was emotionally mauled. Maybe that’s why the title Ek Hasina Thi? And Saif, fresh off the cult of Dil Chahta Hai and Kal Ho Naa Ho, displayed a chilling side to him nobody saw coming, not even him maybe. He was your Uber cool guy who wore his comedic charm on his sleeves and flashes his metrosexuality with ease. Here, it was the complete opposite. He played Karan twice in 2004, once here and then four months later in Hum Tum, and look at the diversity in the two people. RGV, the disruptive force of nature that he was, made far more relevant films and told far more rousing stories than the ones being made today. And full credit to Sriram Raghavan for making a stunning directorial debut. Yes, Ek Hasina Thi, but Ek Raghavan Hai, and Ek Hi Raghavan Hoga.