When Ghajini hit the theaters on December 25, 2008, it was not a movie release but the starting point of a cinematic revolution. Bollywood witnessed its first ₹100 crore blockbuster in an A.R. Murugadoss action thriller and marked an unforgettable point in Indian cinema. Ghajini completes 16 years; let’s revisit its plot, legacy, controversies, and how it rewrote box office history.
The Unforgettable Storyline 16 Years of Ghajini
Ghajini is a movie that speaks of love, tragedy, and revenge. The role of Sanjay Singhania in Ghajini has been performed by Aamir Khan; he is a business magnet attacked brutally along with the loss of his lover Kalpana (Asin).
This attack leads to Sanjay suffering from anterograde amnesia; with a memory span of just 15 minutes, Sanjay relentlessly pursues avenging Kalpana’s murder, following up by using tattoos, photographs, and pieces of papers to pursue the killer of Kalpana, known as Ghajini Dharmatma, acted by Pradeep Rawat. The jovial and benevolent Kalpana is what Asin plays in her debut in a Bollywood film. The death she suffers serves as the motivating factor in this narrative.
Khan is there as Sunita, a medical student, to bring in another depth of detail about Sanjay’s tragic tale.
Box Office Glory: Ghajini and the ₹100 Crore Club
Released during the festive season, Ghajini became a game-changer for Bollywood. It earned ₹2.7 crore in paid previews alone and went on to collect over ₹100 crore domestically, setting a new benchmark for commercial success.
This feat not only established Aamir Khan as a box office juggernaut but also gave birth to Bollywood’s coveted ₹100 Crore Club—a milestone that every big-budget film aspires to achieve today.
Aamir Khan’s Transformation: The Man Behind the Muscles
Aamir Khan’s dedication to Ghajini was nothing short of extraordinary. Known for his perfectionist approach, Aamir underwent a dramatic physical transformation, flaunting an enviable muscular physique that became a talking point for months.
But it was not merely about the physicality. Aamir’s portrayal of Sanjay Singhania—the man who oscillates between grief, love, and vengeance—was nuanced and intense. His performance infused emotional depth into the action-thriller genre that elevated the film beyond just commercial appeal.
Christopher Nolan’s Reaction: A Controversial Legacy
It drew flak for its lack of originality, drawing from Christopher Nolan’s Memento (2000). Actor Anil Kapoor said that when he met Nolan, the man was visibly distressed upon realizing that Memento had been adapted without any mention of his name.
Though controversy added that rich layer to the legacy, the film didn’t lose momentum among audiences. Murugadoss did admit that the film Memento was indeed an inspiration, but then Ghajini was modified to suit Indian sensibility and merged high-octane action with emotional drama.
A.R. Murugadoss on Remaking Ghajini
Earlier to the Hindi remake, Ghajini was a Tamil super-hit with Suriya. Produced by Allu Aravind and Madhu Mantena, the Hindi remake retains the essence of the original while incorporating creative inputs from Aamir Khan.
Murugadoss often felt that the remake was like another version of his favorite song’s new rendition. “It is like a singer. Each version has its special flavor,” he said pointing out that both Tamil as well as Hindi version share a special place in the heart of Murugadoss.
Music That Struck a Chord
Another high point of Ghajini was A.R. Rahman’s music. Tracks like Guzarish and Behka became instant chartbusters as they complemented the narrative of the film to an emotional and action-packed note. The soulful Rahman compositions gave depth to storytelling, which made the characters connect with the audience.
The Legacy of Ghajini
Today, after sixteen years, Ghajini remains a landmark in Bollywood history. It broke new box office collection barriers and opened the doors to experimental storytelling in mainstream cinema.
The film proved audiences would accept offbeat narration if done with conviction, and it brought into mainstream the importance of marketing through Aamir Khan’s buzzworthy promotion strategies which helped in making the movie hype.
In Retrospect: What Made Ghajini Special?
A Gripping Tale: The emotional heart of Sanjay and Kalpana’s love story connected the audience with the revenge tale.
Aamir Khan’s Genius: From his physical makeover to his nuanced performance, Aamir brought the character to life.
Technical Masterpiece: With scintillating cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran and sharp editing by Anthony, the movie was a feast for the eyes.
Cultural Impact: Ghajini brought the concept of anterograde amnesia into the Indian minds and caused a buzz and debates in the society.