Nagina

Nagina poster for sale.

Featured here is an actual surviving original Bollywood poster of the 1986 blockbuster Hindi fantasy drama that starred Sridevi in the lead role as an “Ichchadhari Naagin” (shape-shifting cobra) opposite Rishi Kapoor.

Produced and directed by Harmesh Malhotra, Nagina (1986) also starred Prem Chopra, Amrish Puri, Komal Mahuvakar (Rupini), Sushma Seth, Jagdeep, Pinchoo Kapoor, Guddi Maruti, Viju Khote and Lalita Kumari in supporting roles.

Printed and circulated during the first release of the film in theaters (somewhere in 1986), this Nagina poster was originally designed for publicity of the film but never ended up being used.

Praised for her stellar performance in the film, Nagina (1986) catapulted Sridevi to superstardom, establishing her as the reigning queen of the 1980s. The actress performed the best snake dance in Indian cinema in the cult song, “Main Teri Dushman, Dushman Tu Mera.” The film is unanimously held as one of the finest Bollywood snake movies made till date.

Nagina (1986) is a rare example of a woman-centric commercial blockbuster in Indian cinema, making this Sridevi poster, highly collectible!.

This old Bollywood poster was originally designed using photographic collage techniques by noted Bombay-based movie poster design studio, Loombarts.

Two stunning close up still photographs of actress Sridevi are seen on each side of this Nagina poster, divided by a cobra. The actor appears in her human character on the left, and as a serpent woman on the right. The difference in her expressive eyes in both stills is strikingly evident.

A smaller still photo of actor Rishi Kapoor is seen at the center below. Typography used in this old Bollywood poster is entirely in Devanagari Hindi. The title is seen in a 3D styled signboard font, standing out in yellow with a black border.

The soundtrack album of Nagina (1986) was composed by hit duo Laxmikant–Pyarelal, while lyrics were written by Anand Bakshi. The album was a blockbuster at the time of it’s release and is fondly remembered for the cult song, “Main Teri Dushman, Dushman Tu Mera” sung by Lata Mangeshkar. “Aaj Kal Yaad Kuch Aur Rehta Nahin” sung by Mohammad Aziz was another popular track from the film.

Nagina (1986) was dubbed and released in Telugu as Naagini. Following it’s stellar success, filmmaker Harmesh Malhotra made a sequel in 1989 called Nigahen: Nagina Part II with Sridevi reprising her role as serpent woman. This time however, she was paired with actor Sunny Deol. The film unfortunately failed to live up to it’s hype and unlike it’s predecessor, was a box-office failure.