Nagina (1986 film)

Nagina
VCD Cover
Directed by	Harmesh Malhotra
Produced by	Harmesh Malhotra
Written by	Dr. Achala Nagar
Screenplay by	Ravi Kapoor
Story by	Jagmohan Kapoor
Starring	Sridevi Rishi Kapoor Amrish Puri Prem Chopra
Music by	Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Cinematography	V. Durga Prasad
Edited by	Govind Dalwadi
Production company	Emkay Enterprises
Distributed by	Emkay Enterprises
Release date	28 November 1986
Country	India
Language	Hindi

Nagina is 1986 fantasy Hindi film, produced and directed by Harmesh Malhotra, written by Jagmohan Kapoor, and starring Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor in lead roles. This was the second women-centric commercial film of actress Sridevi after Tohfa.

Rajiv (Rishi Kapoor) comes from a wealthy land-owning family, and lives in a palatial home with his mother (Sushma Seth), who would like him to get married to a beautiful young woman named Vijaya Singh, the only daughter of Thakur Ajay Singh (Prem Chopra). Rajiv, however, is in love with Rajni (Sridevi), who is an orphan without connections. When Rajiv informs his mother of his intent to marry Rajni, she refuses to give her blessings, but relents after a favourable meeting with Rajni. The marriage is arranged and they enjoy their marriage - until the arrival of Bhairo Nath (Amrish Puri), a sadhu capable of controlling snakes. He informs Rajiv's mother that Rajni is a shape-shifting venomous snake who has married Rajiv to avenge the death of her spouse during Rajiv's childhood. To remove her from the household, Bhairo and his disciples do a snake dance song, forcing Rajni to dance for them as she is a snake. However, when Rajiv comes into the house, Rajni escapes, only to be caught by Bhairo, who reveals his plot, to control the world with the Mani, a sacred jewel that only Rajni knows is hidden. However, Rajiv comes and engages in a fight with Bhairo. Bhairo is bitten by two snakes and dies. Rajiv and Rajni live happily ever after.

According to Taran Adarsh, Nagina turned out to be the biggest blockbuster of the year with Box Office India stating that Sridevi remained "the undisputed No.1". The movie was appreciated for its screenplay, dialogues and direction. Named one of the best snake fantasy films by Yahoo,Times of India ranked Nagina as one of the 'Top 10 Snake Films of Hindi Cinema'. Sridevi's climax dance number 'Main Teri Dushman' also remains one of the best snake dances in Bollywood with Desi Hits calling it "one of Sridevi's most iconic dance numbers...that still gives fans goose bumps" and iDiva describing it as "the stuff of movie legends".