Bollywood churned out several nagin-themed films decades ago, and songs from many of them are still hummed today. Among the brightest of those is the 1986 film Nagina, whose song 'Balma Tum Balma Ho Mere Khali' still makes listeners sway thanks to its distinctive tune and heartfelt lyrics. On screen, Sridevi's mesmerising performance and her chemistry with Rishi Kapoor turned the film into one of the biggest successes of its time.
A tale of love and revenge built around a shape-shifting serpent
Directed by Harmesh Malhotra, the story is woven around Rajni, an ichchhadhari nagin played by Sridevi, who takes human form to avenge the killing of her mate. In the human world she meets Rajiv, the heir to a wealthy family, played by Rishi Kapoor, and the two fall in love before eventually marrying. The real twist unfolds when a tantric named Bhairo Nath, driven by his desire to obtain the mythical naagmani, turns Rajiv's own family into pawns and sets out to expose Rajni's true identity.
A strong ensemble cast that elevated the film
The film's success owed a great deal to its powerful cast. Beyond the lead pairing of Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor, Amrish Puri played the snake charmer Bhairo Nath with such menace that audiences were left shaken, a performance still remembered for its intensity. Seasoned actors Sushma Seth, Prem Chopra and Jagdeep also added considerable depth to the film with their performances.
Anand Bakshi's words set to unforgettable music
Veteran lyricist Anand Bakshi crafted the song's words with such simplicity and playfulness that the restlessness of love in them still touches the heart directly. Composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal set it to a captivating tune, while singer Kavita Krishnamurthy's voice breathed life into the composition. That combination was so powerful that when Sridevi swayed on screen like a serpent, everyone from Rajiv, played by Rishi Kapoor, on screen to the audience in theatres sat transfixed, unable to look away.
Made on a shoestring budget, it earned in crores
Nagina was made on a budget of around Rs 1.5 crore. The moment it released, this fantasy thriller took the box office by storm, collecting Rs 4.75 crore within India while its total worldwide earnings reached Rs 9 crore, staggering figures for a film of that budget in that era. It went on to become the second-biggest blockbuster of 1986. That resounding success, combined with the immense popularity of its songs, catapulted Sridevi overnight to the throne of Bollywood's first female superstar.
