Almost three decades ago, the Bollywood thriller Gupt: The Hidden Truth took the audience by storm with its gripping story, catchy songs, and unforgettable dialogues. What surprised many was Kajol’s powerful negative role in the film, where she played a villainess who made life miserable for Bobby Deol’s character. Alongside Kajol, Manisha Koirala also starred as a heroine, while Bobby Deol played the lead hero. The film’s suspenseful plot kept viewers guessing till the very end about the true identity of the main villain.
Directed by Rajiv Rai and produced by Rajiv Rai and Gulshan Rai, Gupt was released on July 4, 1997. Its music, composed by Viju Shah, added to the film’s appeal with hit songs like ‘Gupt Til Song,’ ‘Duniya Hasino Ka Mela,’ and ‘Mere Khwabon Mein.’ The star cast included Bobby Deol as Sahil Sinha, Kajol as Isha Dewan, and Manisha Koirala as Sheetal, supported by notable actors such as Paresh Rawal, Prem Chopra, Om Puri, and others.
The story follows Sahil, who is wrongfully accused of murdering his father. With the help of Sheetal, he fights to prove his innocence, but Kajol’s character crosses every line to claim Sahil for herself, adding intense drama to the narrative. Kajol’s portrayal of the villain earned her critical acclaim, including awards for Best Villain and Best Performance.
On the financial front, the film was made on a budget of 9 crores and grossed over 33 crores worldwide, making it a major box office hit.
Gupt: The Hidden Truth is still available for streaming on various OTT platforms for those wanting to revisit this classic thriller.