Ken Ghosh’s film ‘Fida’, released on August 20th, twenty-one years ago, was a bold experiment in Hindi cinema. The slick thriller, clocking in at under two hours, was a departure from the norm, which often equated shorter run times with ‘songless’ thrillers. The film boasted commercial appeal, featuring Anu Malik’s music, glamorous visuals with Kareena Kapoor and Fardeen Khan, and a touch of ‘oomph’ from Kim Sharma. Ghosh’s film stood out for its daring innovation.
Ghosh has stated that the film was ahead of its time. The film challenges conventional filmmaking with its focus on contemporary themes of avarice and amorality, revolving around the characters played by Kareena Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, and Fardeen Khan. The narrative moves quickly, capturing the audience’s attention with its thrilling pace and well-chosen cast. Kareena Kapoor, playing a character akin to Lady Macbeth, goes through a transformation, showcasing her acting range. Kareena herself has mentioned that the film’s failure was linked to the audience not being able to accept her and Shahid Kapoor as enemies, given their relationship at the time.