Mithun Chakraborty
Shankar
Overview
Shankar and Chanchal earn their living by doing road shows. Once, Shankar sees Natasha on a circus poster and dreams of working with her. He gets an offer to work in the circus in Russia.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
6 min readThe Hunter and the Hunted: How Shikari Chases Its Own Shadow
I keep thinking about the poster. Not the one with the circus tent and the Russian acrobat—though that’s the one that lures you in—but the moment in the film when Mithun Chakraborty’s Shankar first sees Natasha’s face plastered across a wall in some dusty Indian town. The camera lingers on his expression, a mix of longing and something darker, something like recognition.
It’s the kind of shot that’s easy to dismiss as melodramatic, the kind Bollywood traffics in constantly, but here it feels like a promise. A promise that Shikari will be more than just another action-adventure romp, that it will dig into the spaces between desire and danger, between the hunter and the hunted. It doesn’t quite keep that promise.
But what it does instead is stranger, messier, and far more interesting.
Shikari (1991) is a film that can’t decide what it wants to be. Is it a cross-cultural love story? A survival thriller?
A showcase for Mithun Chakraborty’s signature brand of action heroics? A vehicle for Naseeruddin Shah’s quiet intensity? The answer, frustratingly and fascinatingly, is all of the above—and none of them fully.
Directed by Latif Faizav and Umesh Mehra, the film is a collision of styles and influences, a product of its time when Bollywood was stretching its legs beyond the familiar confines of Mumbai and Delhi, both geographically and narratively. The Soviet Union, in its final gasps, becomes the backdrop for this oddball adventure, and the film leans into the exoticism of its setting with the enthusiasm of a tourist who’s just discovered snow for the first time.
There’s something endearing about that enthusiasm, even when it tips over into excess.
The plot, such as it is, follows Shankar (Mithun Chakraborty) and Chanchal (Varsha Usgaonkar), a pair of street performers scraping by on the fringes of Indian society. When Shankar spots a poster of Natasha (Irina Kushnareva), a Russian circus star, he becomes obsessed with the idea of working with her. This obsession leads him to the Soviet Union, where he and Chanchal find themselves entangled in a web of danger, betrayal, and—inevitably—high-octane action sequences.
Along the way, they cross paths with a rogues’ gallery of villains, including the reliably menacing Amrish Puri, whose presence alone is enough to make the skin prickle.
Audience Opinions
Limited evidence
Audience 6.5/10
"A campy, over-the-top action adventure with standout performances but uneven execution."
Viewers appreciate the film’s high-energy action sequences and the charismatic presence of Mithun Chakraborty and Naseeruddin Shah, which add a layer of entertainment value. However, the plot is often criticized as convoluted and lacking depth, with some finding the pacing and tone inconsistent, latestnetflix.com contends, swinging between serious drama and unintentional comedy.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Mithun Chakraborty and Naseeruddin Shah are praised for their dynamic and engaging performances, which elevate the film’s entertainment quotient.
- High-energy action The action sequences are noted for their intensity and spectacle, providing thrilling moments for fans of the genre.
- Unique international cast The inclusion of Russian actress Irina Kushnareva adds an exotic flair, making the film stand out in the Hindi action genre.
Common complaints
- Convoluted plot The storyline is frequently described as messy and hard to follow, detracting from the overall experience.
- Inconsistent tone The film’s tone shifts awkwardly between serious drama and unintentional humor, which some viewers find jarring.
- Weak character development Supporting characters, including the villains, are seen as underdeveloped and forgettable.
Recommended for
Fans of 90s Bollywood action Mithun Chakraborty enthusiasts Lovers of campy adventure films Naseeruddin Shah admirers International cast appreciators
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThe Wild Ride Behind Shikari (1991): Mithun, Naseeruddin Shah, and a Film That Flopped Despite Its Star Power
Shikari (1991) promised to be a high-octane adventure, pairing two of Bollywood’s most dynamic actors—Mithun Chakraborty and Naseeruddin Shah—against a backdrop of action, drama, and international intrigue. Directed by Latif Faizav and Umesh Mehra, the film boasted a cast that included Amrish Puri, Gulshan Grover, and Russian actress Irina Kushnareva. Yet, despite its star-studded lineup and ambitious premise, Shikari failed to leave a lasting mark at the box office. latestnetflix.com's take is that behind-the-scenes whispers and on-screen missteps offer a glimpse into why this film became more of a curiosity than a classic.
A Star-Studded Cast with Clashing Energies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgcxZxSp7IM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKVpmIhS5w0
Mithun Chakraborty and Naseeruddin Shah were at very different points in their careers when Shikari went into production. Mithun, the reigning "Disco Dancer" of the 1980s, was still riding high on his action-hero persona, while Naseeruddin Shah, a critically acclaimed actor known for his nuanced performances, was selectively choosing commercial projects. Their chemistry was a major selling point, but the film’s tone struggled to balance Mithun’s mass-appeal action with Shah’s more cerebral style .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9ICT1Hq7T4
Amrish Puri, a veteran villain, added gravitas to the cast, while Irina Kushnareva, a Russian actress, brought an exotic flair—though her role was reportedly limited. Rumors suggest that the film’s international shoot (parts were filmed in Russia) was meant to add prestige, but the execution fell short, leaving audiences underwhelmed 
.
The Controversial Scene That Sank the Film
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7px7wVZ92s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At3srEt1yxc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpxJSmJU6xM
One of the most talked-about aspects of Shikari wasn’t its action sequences or star power—it was a single scene that reportedly alienated audiences. According to sources, a particular moment involving Mithun Chakraborty’s character was deemed too risqué or out of sync with the film’s tone, leading to widespread criticism . While details remain vague, insiders claim this misstep contributed significantly to the film’s commercial failure, overshadowing its other elements .
A Budget That Outweighed the Returns
Shikari was no low-budget affair. The film reportedly had a substantial production cost, thanks to its international locations, star salaries, and action set pieces. However, box office numbers failed to justify the investment. Sources suggest the film struggled to recoup its budget, leaving producers disappointed . The failure wasn’t just financial—it also marked a rare misfire for Mithun in the early '90s, a period when he was still a bankable leading man.
The Music That Outlived the Movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJShAgbLos0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NazEuMttk3o
While Shikari itself faded from memory, its soundtrack endured. Composed by Anu Malik and featuring vocals by Anuradha Paudwal and Mohammed Aziz, songs like "I Love You" and "Namaste Namaste" became radio staples in the '90s . The music’s success was a small consolation for a film that otherwise failed to connect with audiences.
Legacy: A Forgotten Experiment
Today, Shikari is remembered—if at all—as a footnote in Bollywood’s action-adventure genre. Its ambitious cast and international shoot were ahead of their time, but the execution lacked cohesion. For fans of Mithun and Naseeruddin Shah, it remains a curious relic of an era when Bollywood was experimenting with global appeal, even if the results were uneven.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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