Summaries

Fact-based account of a secret society of murderers, and of the man who exposed them in British India 1825.

In 1825, India lives under fear. A mysterious religion's followers murder everyone that stands against their plans. When William Savage, a tax-collector of a British-Indian company, discovers the sect and decides to solve the mystery...—S.W.P.er

Shortly after killing a tiger in 1825 British India, William Savage gets married to Sarah, the daughter of his commanding officer, Colonel Wilson. While preventing Gopal's widow from killing herself in accordance with the Hindu rite of 'Sati', he inadvertently comes across some wealthy people getting killed by thugs. With the help of Raja Chandra Singh, he discovers recently buried corpses and asks Wilson to get this investigated further, but is turned down, consistent with the British legacy of 'Do Nothing, Have Nothing Done, and Let No One Do Anything', and is pressurized to raise taxes. He then arrests a number of people, including Hussein, he believes to be thugs and holds them in a cell. He is compelled to release them after Wilson's instructions, as well as his transfer is arranged to another location. Before that could happen, he enlists the help of Hussein, changes his appearance, calls himself Gopal and joins the gang - consisting of both Hindus and Muslim - who are devotees of Devi Maa Kaali. He meticulously notes down details of their victims as the gang carries out it gruesome tasks with impunity. Slowly he starts to realize that he may well be under Maa Kaali's influence after eating Gurd - consecrated sugar -; strangling the real Gopal, as well as being intimate with a courtesan. More shocks are in store for him when he finds out that the British turn a Nelson's eye to the gangs' crimes for a bribe, as well as he may well be accused of being an 'approver'.—rAjOo (gunwanti@hotmail.com)

Details

Keywords
  • sex scene
  • reference to kali the hindu deity
  • brainwashing
  • saber
  • death cult
Genres
  • Thriller
  • Adventure
  • Crime
  • Drama
Release date Sep 22, 1988
Motion Picture Rating (MPA) PG-13
Countries of origin United Kingdom India
Language English Hindi Rajasthani Sanskrit
Filming locations India
Production companies Michael White Productions Cinecom Pictures Merchant Ivory Productions

Box office

Gross US & Canada $346297
Opening weekend US & Canada $18245
Gross worldwide $346297

Tech specs

Runtime 1h 42m
Color Color
Sound mix Dolby Stereo
Aspect ratio 1.75 : 1

Synopsis

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