Last updated: 3 May 2026

Hindi · Action, Drama
0 · 18 Nov 1994
Music: Anu Malik | DOP: Jeeva | Writer: S. Shankar
Ratings
Our Rating
2.5
Vijay is a small-time businessman who sells papads by day but transforms into a high-tech thief by night. He targets corrupt politicians and businessmen to accumulate wealth for a noble cause: building a free medical college. His actions are driven by a tragic past where his best friend committed suicide after being denied a medical seat due to the corrupt donation system. As he continues his heists, a determined police officer, played by Paresh Rawal, vows to catch the mysterious 'Gentleman'.
The Gentleman is the Hindi remake of Shankar's 1993 Tamil blockbuster. While the story remains a powerful critique of the Indian education system and the corruption surrounding medical admissions, the Hindi version fails to capture the technical brilliance and high-octane energy of the original. Mahesh Bhatt's direction takes a more conventional approach, which occasionally dilutes the intensity of the vigilante drama. The screenplay is functional but lacks the sharp edge required for a high-stakes thriller, making the pacing feel sluggish in the middle portions.
Chiranjeevi, in one of his few direct Hindi outings, carries the film with his immense screen presence and grace. He handles both the 'simpleton' persona and the 'thief' persona with ease, though the Hindi audience's reception was lukewarm compared to his stardom in the South. Juhi Chawla provides the necessary charm, but her role is largely restricted to the romantic track, which often slows down the main narrative. The supporting cast, led by Paresh Rawal, is competent, though the antagonist's threat level feels lower than in the source material.
Anu Malik's music is a significant highlight, though it heavily draws inspiration from A.R. Rahman's original compositions. Songs like 'Roop Suhana Lagta Hai' became popular and remain the most memorable aspect of the film. The background score is adequate but fails to elevate the action sequences to a contemporary standard. Cinematography by Jeeva is one of the better technical aspects, providing a polished look to the heist sequences, yet the overall production value feels like a step down from the Tamil original.
Chiranjeevi: Delivers a solid performance with great screen presence; his dance and action sequences are the highlights.
Juhi Chawla Mehta: Charming and graceful, though her character is primarily used for commercial elements and romance.
Paresh Rawal: Effective as the persistent police officer, bringing a level of seriousness to the cat-and-mouse chase.
Laxmikant Berde: Provides standard comic relief which is hit-or-miss depending on the scene.
Heera Rajgopal: Reprising her role from the original, she is adequate in her supporting capacity.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Mahesh Bhatt, known for his intense dramas, attempted a commercial vigilante thriller with this remake. While he manages to keep the emotional core of the story intact, he struggles with the larger-than-life technical requirements that the script demands. The writing follows the original closely but lacks the innovative staging that made the 1993 version a trendsetter.
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Our Rating
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| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 30% |
| Neutral | 30% |
| Negative | 40% |
The film received mixed reviews from critics upon release. Most reviewers pointed out that while Chiranjeevi was excellent, the film itself felt like a pale imitation of the Tamil original. Public reaction was lukewarm, as the 'Gentleman' story was already well-known through the dubbed version of the original film in many territories.
Final Box-Office Result
The Gentleman released on 18 November 1994 (1994).
The Gentleman is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.
The Gentleman is available on N/A. OTT date will be updated soon.
The Gentleman directed by Mahesh Bhatt. Produced by Allu Aravind, Mukesh Udeshi.
The Gentleman stars Chiranjeevi, Juhi Chawla Mehta, Paresh Rawal, Ajay Rathnam, Laxmikant Berde.
Tollybo rates The Gentleman 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.
Music for The Gentleman composed by Anu Malik.
The Gentleman — Genre: Action, Drama, Language: Hindi.