Karm (1977)
A bold Hindi drama where love collides with fate, superstition, and the unforgiving weight of social judgment.
Karm - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1977
- Directed by: B.R. Chopra
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 2h 26m
- Original Language: Hindi
- Spoken Languages: Hindi
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 27, 1977 (India)
- Production Countries: India
Karm - Plot
Retired Judge Shyamlal Kumar lives in a palatial home with his wife and only son, Arvind, who is now studying law and is on his way to become a lawyer, and after that a judge just like his dad. Arvind meets with beautiful Asha Shastri, both fall in love and would like to get married. Asha introduces Arvind to her astrologer dad, Chintamani, who instantly approves of Arvind; while both Shyamlal and his wife give their blessings and approval to Asha. But when Chintamani, whose predictions always prove to be accurate, sees a dark future for the young couple, withdraws his blessings and asks them not to marry each other. Spooked by this, Shyamlal and his wife also ask Arvind to marry someone else. But both Arvind and Asha believe that nothing bad will befall them, and they start living together without getting married. This raises ire in their conservative community and both are blacklisted.
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Karm - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- B.R. Chopra
Main Cast
- Rajesh Khanna
- Vidya Sinha
- Shabana Azmi
- Asrani
- Kumari Naaz
- Iftekhar
- Prema Narayan
- Achala Sachdev
- Om Shivpuri
- Roopesh Kumar
Writers
- Gajendra Kumar Mitra
Karm - FAQs
Who are the main actors in Karm?
Karm features Rajesh Khanna as Arvind Kumar and Vidya Sinha as Asha Shastri. Shabana Azmi, Iftekhar, Asrani, Kumari Naaz, Prema Narayan, Achala Sachdev, Om Shivpuri, and Roopesh Kumar round out the ensemble cast.
What is Karm about?
Karm follows Arvind, a law student, and Asha, who fall deeply in love but are warned against marriage by Asha's astrologer father, whose prophecies always come true. Defying family and fate, the couple chooses to live together, only to face harsh rejection from their conservative community.
When was Karm released?
Karm was released on April 27, 1977, in India. Directed by the legendary B.R. Chopra, it arrived during a golden era of Hindi cinema and featured one of Bollywood's biggest stars, Rajesh Khanna, in a leading role.
Does Karm explore fate versus free will?
Absolutely — that tension is the film's beating heart. Karm pits the weight of astrological destiny against the courage of personal choice. Arvind and Asha's decision to live together despite a dire prophecy becomes a bold statement about human agency, love, and the price of defying tradition.
Where can you watch Karm online?
You can watch Karm on Amazon Video, where it is available to buy or rent. It's a great way to revisit this classic B.R. Chopra drama from the comfort of your home.
Who directed Karm and what is his legacy?
Karm was directed by B.R. Chopra, one of Hindi cinema's most respected filmmakers. Known for socially conscious storytelling, Chopra helmed landmark films like Naya Daur and Waqt, and later produced the iconic television adaptation of the Mahabharata.
How long is the film Karm?
Karm runs for approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes (146 minutes). It's a full-length Bollywood drama with ample room for its emotional story, musical sequences, and the moral dilemmas that define B.R. Chopra's signature storytelling style.
What are some movies similar to Karm?
If you enjoyed Karm, you might like Water (2005), The Hungry (2017), Pyaar Ka Saaya (1991), and Despatch (2024). For more recent picks, Satyaprem Ki Katha (2023) and Article 370 (2024) also share thematic or tonal connections worth exploring.
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