The film is set in the India of the tumultuous 1930's when nationalists fighting for the country's independence rose up as one, urging the British to quit. At this time, a young Indian, Kisna befriends and then shields a British girl Katherine, from an enraged mob of nationalists including Kisna's own uncle and brother. Katherine is the young daughter of a ruthless British collector. Kisna takes it upon himself to escort Katherine to the safety of the British High Commission in New Delhi, who will arrange for her to board a ship home. A tender attraction develops between Kisna and Katherine during the journey, a love story that is torn between 'Karma' (the noble deed) and 'Dharma' (the duty). Laxmi, the Indian girl Kisna is engaged to, forms the third point in an emotional triangle involving the Indo-British romantic pair
Production
Ghai's lavish period sets and A.R. Rahman's operatic score.
Costume
Sumptuous 1930s wardrobe drowning in silk and symbolism.
Director
Subhash Ghai
Vivek Oberoi
Kisna
Isha Sharvani
Lakshmi
Antonia Bernath
Katherine
Amrish Puri
Bhairo Singh
Polly Adams
Lady Katherine
Michael Maloney
Peter Beckett
Caroline Langrishe
Jennifer Beckett
Om Puri
Juman Masum Kishti
Rajat Kapoor
Prince Raghuraj
Yashpal Sharma
Shankar Singh
Hrishitaa Bhatt
Rukmani
Vivek Mushran
Nandu
Vikram Gokhale
Dada Guru
Zarina Wahab
Shanta
Jeetu Verma
Phunkara
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Subhash Ghai conceived this as part of his 'Indianness' trilogy alongside 'Pardes' and 'Yaadein'—all exploring Indians abroad and identity.
Antonia Bernath learned Hindi phonetically for the role; her dubbing was later re-dubbed by another actress, making Katherine technically voiced by three people.
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