So yet another revenge saga which is as predictable as it gets, both because it's copied and particularly because of how contrived and clichéd the script is. I'm actually surprised that it was Mahesh Bhatt directed this film, because the film feels very much an amateur piece created by a film student. The prison parts in particular look so inept it's amazing. Technically, the film is awful but it is surprising because it is more awful than most films - the dishum dishum of the ridiculous action portions is particularly exaggerated. Even just a light touch by the prison guard creates such a loud noise it's just pathetic. This is characteristic of the entire film - the sound and dubbing are absolutely horrendous. In one sequence Sridevi is screaming at the top of her lungs as her friend is being taken, and you can clearly see the picture and sound do not match.

The acting is mostly melodramatic by one and all - Anupam Kher is a caricature, Sanjay Dutt is partially decent but can't do much with such a poor role, Soni Razdan is unconvincing in a small role, so is Rahul Roy, Kunika as the prison guard is a weird casting choice, and Reema Lagoo is the typical, exaggerated mother. Indeed, Sridevi is the only one who somehow manages to rise a little above the unpleasant and almost unwatchable viewing experience that this film is. It's not a perfect performance (not that it was possible to be in such a film),but she tried, and does particularly well in the quieter moments. It's sad that Mahesh Bhatt, who gave true, complex roles to actresses like Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Dimple Kapadia and the likes, gives her this corny part which was nothing but a rehash of so many other films made at that time.

Mahesh Bhatt made a career remaking Hollywood films yet making good films, GUMRAH is a remake of miniseries BANGKOK HILTON which was later remade in EK HASEENA THI(2004). Strangely when the film was started Rahul Roy who Bhatt discovered with AASHIQUI(1990) and then made films like JUNOON, PHIR TERI KAHAANI YAAD AAYE was the lead and Sanjay Dutt had a cameo however due to Rahul Roy's fading career Bhatt reportedly made his role a 15 minute role and extended Sanju's role. The film brought Sanju and Sridevi together for the first time. The movie starts well, the first half is a bit slow, the romance between Sanju and Sridevi too is filmy but the twist at the airport is well handled however Bhatt doesn't bother to show Rahul's character and it appears sketchy and disappears conveniently, there are too many action scenes of Sanjay Dutt thrown in, however the jail scenes are well handled, though the escape does seem convenient and also the end

Direction is decent though the writing could be better Music by LP is good however 1 song was chopped off which had Rahul Roy

Sanjay Dutt does his role well, Sridevi is the life of the film and she scores as usual, Rahul Roy has a short role but he ruins it with his non acting and his dialogue delivery Anupam Kher as always excels in Bhatt films, Reema Lagoo, Anang Desai are okay in brief roles, Soni Razdan(Bhatt's wife) is good, Laxmikant Berde is as usual, rest are okay

Ok , Mahesh bhatt , in , order to get Sridevi's brilliance , you can cast her into any film !!! Excpet Sridevi nothing was even ok. 9 for Sridevi only.