Last updated: 3 May 2026


Hindi · Drama, Family
2h 49m · 17 Mar 1994
Writer: Anees Bazmee
Ratings
Our Rating
2.5
Raju is a devoted son who lives with his disabled mother. He gets a job in a factory owned by Sheetal Jetley, an arrogant and cold-hearted business tycoon. After Raju stands up to her tyranny and wins the hearts of the workers, Sheetal decides to marry him to humiliate him and keep him under her thumb. The story follows their ego clashes and Raju's eventual success in transforming Sheetal's personality.
Laadla is a quintessential 90s Bollywood masala entertainer that thrives on high-voltage drama and the clash of powerful personalities. A remake of the Tamil film 'Mannan', the movie successfully adapts the 'taming of the shrew' trope into a factory-worker vs. owner setting. The screenplay is fast-paced, ensuring that the confrontation scenes between the leads remain engaging throughout the runtime.
The first half is dedicated to the rivalry in the workplace, while the second half shifts into a domestic drama following the marriage of the protagonists. The film's strength lies in its ability to balance loud, theatrical dialogues with emotional moments between the hero and his mother. The pacing is consistent, though the plot follows a very predictable trajectory typical of Raj Kanwar's directorial style.
Music by Anand-Milind was a significant contributor to the film's success, with tracks like 'Ladki Hai Kya' and 'Teri Ungli Pakad Ke Chala' becoming very popular. The background score is loud and emphasizes the dramatic beats of the film, which suited the cinematic sensibilities of the era. While the gender politics of the film are dated by modern standards, it remains a solid example of commercial Hindi cinema from the mid-90s.
Anil Kapoor: Delivers an energetic performance as the righteous and defiant Raju, balancing his 'tapori' charm with emotional depth.
Sridevi: The highlight of the film. Her portrayal of the arrogant Sheetal is iconic, particularly her signature dialogue 'Understand? You better understand!'.
Raveena Tandon: Provides a graceful and sympathetic presence as the second lead, though her role is overshadowed by the central conflict.
Farida Jalal: Excellent as the loving mother, providing the emotional anchor for the story.
Aruna Irani: Strong performance as the manipulative mother-in-law figure.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Raj Kanwar demonstrates his knack for handling commercial potboilers. He maintains a high energy level throughout the film and focuses on the strengths of his lead actors, particularly Sridevi, to drive the narrative.
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Our Rating
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| Award | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Filmfare Awards | Best Actress | Nominated: Sridevi |
| Filmfare Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated: Aruna Irani |
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 75% |
| Neutral | 15% |
| Negative | 10% |
The film received generally positive reviews from the public and critics upon release, with Sridevi's performance being singled out for high praise. It was noted for being a successful remake that captured the essence of the original while catering to North Indian sensibilities.
Final Box-Office Result
Laadla released on 17 March 1994 (1994).
Laadla is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.
Budget of Laadla is approximately ₹2.5 Crore.
Laadla is available on Disney+ Hotstar. OTT date will be updated soon.
Laadla directed by Raj Kanwar.
Laadla stars Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, Raveena Tandon, Farida Jalal, Aruna Irani.
Tollybo rates Laadla 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.
Laadla — Genre: Drama, Family, Runtime: 169 minutes, Language: Hindi.