Kalyug (1981 film)
Kalyug is a 1981 Indian Hindi crime drama directed by Shyam Benegal. It is a modern, filmic take on the Mahabharata that shows a long-running feud between two rival business families. The cast includes Shashi Kapoor, Rekha, Anant Nag, Raj Babbar, Supriya Pathak, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Sushma Seth, Akash Khurana, Victor Banerjee, Reema Lagoo, and A.K. Hangal, with Urmila Matondkar as a child artist. The music is by Vanraj Bhatia, the cinematography by Govind Nihalani, and editing by Bhanudas Divakar. The film runs 152 minutes and is in Hindi.
The story centers on Ramchand and Bhishamchand, two pioneering brothers in business. Bhishamchand, who is unmarried, raises Ramchand’s two sons after his death and strengthens the family business. Ramchand’s elder son Khubchand has two sons, Dhanraj and Sandeepraj. Puranchand, Bhishamchand’s late brother, left behind three sons: Dharamraj, Balraj, and Bharatraj. An orphan named Karan is brought up by Bhishamchand. A hidden feud between the families erupts despite Bhishamchand’s attempts to mediate. Tragedy follows when Dhanraj’s men accidentally kill Balraj’s young son, and, in revenge, Bharatraj murders Karan. More secrets come to light, and the conflict tears the families apart, revealing the fragility of moral values.
Critics praised the film for its ambition and depth. It won the Filmfare Award for Best Film in 1982,Was among India’s submissions for the Academy Awards, and was shown at international festivals, including Berlin and Moscow. Shashi Kapoor’s performance as Karna was highly acclaimed, and the film’s pacing, cinematography, and strong ensemble cast were highlighted by reviewers. It premiered at the Moscow International Film Festival on July 21, 1981, and released in India on July 24, 1981.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 11:23 (CET).