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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Kshana Kshanam
| image = Kshana Kshanam poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Ram Gopal Varma]]
| producer = K. L. Narayana Y. Lakshmana Chowdary [[S. Gopal Reddy]] ('''Presenter''')
| writer = '''Story''' & '''Screenplay''': Ram Gopal Varma '''Dialogues''': Satyanand
| starring = [[Venkatesh (actor)|Venkatesh]] [[Sridevi]] [[Paresh Rawal]] [[Rami Reddy (actor)|Rami Reddy]]
| music = [[M. M. Keeravani]]
| cinematography = S. Gopal Reddy
| editing = Shankar
| studio = Sri Durga Arts
| released = {{film date|df=y|1991|10|9}}
| runtime = 158 minutes<ref name="toi">{{cite news |title=Kshana Kshanam |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-details/kshana-kshanam/movieshow/61309254.cms |access-date=21 June 2021 |website=[[The Times of India]] |archive-date=26 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626214933/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movie-details/kshana-kshanam/movieshow/61309254.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
| country = India
| language = Telugu
}}
'''''Kshana Kshanam''''' ({{Translation|Every Moment}}) is a 1991 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[Road movie|road]] [[thriller film]] written and directed by [[Ram Gopal Varma]]. The film stars [[Venkatesh (actor)|Venkatesh]], [[Sridevi]], [[Paresh Rawal]], and [[Rami Reddy (actor)|Rami Reddy]]. The plot follows Satya (Sridevi), a young woman who is hounded by a gang of robbers headed by Nayyar (Rawal) and the police. With the help of a pickpocket, Chandu (Venkatesh), she escapes into the forests.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Rajadhyaksha |first1=Ashish |url=https://indiancine.ma/texts/indiancine.ma%3AEncyclopedia_of_Indian_Cinema/text.pdf |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema |last2=Willemen |first2=Paul |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] and [[Oxford University Press]] |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-563579-5 |page=503 |author-link=Ashish Rajadhyaksha |author-link2=Paul Willemen |orig-date=1994 |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-date=21 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821193440/https://indiancine.ma/texts/indiancine.ma%3AEncyclopedia_of_Indian_Cinema/text.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Varma introduced road and [[film noir]] to the Indian screen with ''Kshana Kshanam''. Varma experimented with close-to-life performances by the lead actors, which brought a rather fictional storyline a sense of authenticity at a time when the industry was being filled with unnecessary commercial fillers.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=Srinivas |first=Kanchibhotla |title=Mattilo Maanikyaalu - Best movies, yet box office failures - Kshanakshanam |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/nosta/jewels/kshanakshanam.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111214418/http://idlebrain.com/nosta/jewels/kshanakshanam.html |archive-date=11 November 2011 |access-date=29 October 2019 |website=[[Idlebrain.com|Idlebrain]]}}</ref>

Featured at the [[Ann Arbor Film Festival]], and the [[Fribourg International Film Festival|Fribourg Festival]], it went on to gather a [[cult following]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rF8ABAAAQBAJ&q=kshana+kshanam+encyclopedia+of+indian+cinema&pg=PA1994-IA196 |title=Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema |last1=Rajadhyaksha |first1=Ashish |last2=Willemen |first2=Paul |date=10 July 2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-94325-7 |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/up-front/story/20120528-edouard-waintrop-on-the-new-indian-cinema-758464-2012-05-18 |title=Cannes critic on RGV's filmography at Fribourg|publisher=Indiatoday.in |date= 18 May 2012|accessdate=2023-01-21}}</ref> It won five state [[Nandi Awards]], including [[Nandi Award for Best Director|Best Direction]], [[Nandi Award for Best Screenplay Writer|Best Screenplay]], and a [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu]] to Sridevi. Varma later adapted ''Kshana Kshanam'' in [[Hindi]] as ''[[Daud (film)|Daud]]'', and produced road films such as ''[[Thiruda Thiruda]],'' ''[[Anaganaga Oka Roju]]'' and ''[[Road (2002 film)|Road]]''.<ref name=":1"/>

==Plot==
Narayana and his accomplice, working for gangster Nayar, break into a bank in [[Hyderabad]] and rob {{INRConvert|1|c}}. Found out by the police, the group engages in a shootout and later a chase, during which one of the gang members and the policemen are killed. Narayana, going rogue, kills his accomplice and betrays Nayar, hoping to keep the loot for himself. With the police watching all routes out of Hyderabad, Nayar and his men track Narayana to his brother's photo studio. Before he gets caught, Narayana hides the clue to where he hid the money in one of the photo envelopes.

Tortured for information, Narayana reveals the clue, but before they can retrieve it, the envelope is taken by Satya, a middle-class working woman. Before dying, Narayana reveals the truth and the clue to his brother. Heading home, Satya is accosted by one of Nayar's men, who demands the envelope. Trying to escape, Satya accidentally stabs him, after which her nosy neighbor calls the police on her. While on the phone, the thug gets up again, only to fall dead, a knife lodged in his back, which later is shown as being thrown by Narayana's brother.

Meanwhile, Chandu is a small-time thief posing as a police officer to con and steal from people. While relaxing at a [[Dhaba]], Satya enters the place and calls her friend to inform her about what happened, unaware that the police were listening in. Chandu inadvertently saves her from being harassed by a gang of hoodlums, and while she is thanking him, the police arrive. Thinking that they are after him, Chandu takes Satya hostage and escapes into the jungle with her. Meanwhile, Nayar and his men also join the pursuit.

Chandu and Satya face a few challenges in avoiding the police, Narayana's brother, and Nayar in the forest, gradually growing closer to each other. They run into Nayar, who demands to know where the envelope is. Escaping the police led by Inspector Yadav and Narayana's brother, Chandu deduces that the clue to the money is hidden in that envelope. They eventually stumble across Nayar's truck, which they use to escape the jungle and into the city. Knowing that Satya's apartment is a crime scene and will be guarded, Chandu and Satya decide to scale the building from outside through her neighbor's apartment.

They eventually find the envelope, which contains a storage receipt for the cloakroom at the railway station. Evading Nayar's henchmen and the police, Chandu and Satya face off against one of Nayar's henchmen at Chandu's apartment and tie him up. While Chandu goes off to meet his friend and decide what to do with the money they found, Satya is left to guard the henchman, who breaks free and subdues her, then calls Nayar. Chandu decides to keep half the money and return the rest, but is ambushed by Nayar's henchmen and brought to his apartment, where he is forced to hand over the receipt.

The police, tipped off to their location by a police informant, arrive at the location, and a shootout ensues. Chandu manages to subdue Nayar and get the receipt, and they head for the station with Nayar and the police in pursuit. The duo reaches the station and retrieves the money bag. They then climb the train to escape Nayar. At the next station, Nayar and his men board the train, leading to a fight between Chandu and the goons. Confronted by Nayar and one of his men atop the train, Nayar holds Chandu and Satya at gunpoint, demanding the money.

In response, Chandu hangs the bag over the side, threatening to drop it if he shoots. Left with no options, Nayar decides to have the train stopped so that he can shoot them and retrieve the money, only for his henchman and the train driver to struggle and fall out of the train. Chandu unhooks the engine from the rest of the train, jumping back to grab the bag and jump off, while the engine crashes into several houses and stops. Nayar is arrested by the police, and Chandu returns the money to Yadav after Satya questions his motives. The film ends with Satya asking Chandu to drop her home, offering to introduce him to her mother, and an amused Chandu agrees.

==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Venkatesh (actor)|Venkatesh]] as Chandu
* [[Sridevi]] as Satya
* [[Paresh Rawal]] as Nayar
* [[Rami Reddy (actor)|Rami Reddy]] as Inspector Yadav
* [[Brahmanandam]] as Store Manager
* [[Narsing Yadav]] as Narsing
* [[Hema (actress)|Hema]] as Sarala
* Horse Babu as Narayana
* [[Jack Gaud]] as Ungan
* [[Oru Viral Krishna Rao]] as Apartment resident
* [[Manik Irani]] as Nayar gang member
}}

==Production==
After the success of ''[[Siva (1989 Telugu film)|Siva]]'' (1989), cinematographer [[S. Gopal Reddy]] approached Varma to make a film with [[Sridevi (actress)|Sridevi]]. Varma, being an ardent fan of hers, agreed to it and called the film "a love letter to her".<ref name=idle>{{cite web|url=https://idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/blog-rgv-sri.html|date=5 June 2010|website=Idlebrain|access-date=7 July 2024|title=Ram Gopal Varma blog about Sri}}</ref> ''Takkari Donga Chakkani Chukka'' and ''36 Gantalu'' were initially considered as the film's titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://idlebrain.com/trivia/nosta16.html|date=10 February 2002|website=Idlebrain|access-date=7 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030611001234/http://idlebrain.com/trivia/nosta16.html|title=Nostalgic Trivia|archive-date=11 June 2003}}</ref>

Filming was done in [[Hyderabad]], [[Nallamala Hills|Nallamala forests]], and [[Mudumalai National Park]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Reddy |first=D. Siva Rami |date=2019-04-26 |title=Film tourism gains traction in Kurnool |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/260419/film-tourism-gains-traction-in-kurnool.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904113817/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/260419/film-tourism-gains-traction-in-kurnool.html |archive-date=4 September 2021 |access-date=2021-09-04 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref> The climax was filmed at Nandyal.<ref name=idle /> Sridevi's character was named after Satya, a woman who Ram Gopal Varma used to love in college, who did not love him back.<ref>{{cite web |date=2021-08-27 |title=Ram Gopal Varma Shares Photos of His First Love, the Woman Who Inspired Rangeela and Title of Satya |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/ram-gopal-varma-shares-photos-of-his-first-love-the-woman-who-inspired-rangeela-and-title-of-satya-4128344.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904113425/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/ram-gopal-varma-shares-photos-of-his-first-love-the-woman-who-inspired-rangeela-and-title-of-satya-4128344.html |archive-date=4 September 2021 |access-date=2021-09-04 |website=[[News18]]}}</ref> The song "Ko Ante Koti" ("Kingu La Kanipisthunnadu") was shot in [[The Leela Mumbai]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name = Kshana Kshanam
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[M. M. Keeravani]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 1991
| recorded = 1991
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = Soundtrack
| length = 28:37
| label = Surya Audio
| producer = [[M. M. Keeravani]]
| prev_title = [[Azhagan]]
| prev_year = 1991
| next_title = [[Neelagiri (film)|Neelagiri]]
| next_year = 1991
}}

The film's music was composed by [[M. M. Keeravani]], who revealed that it took him 12 days to compose the background score. This was due to the film being the first in Telugu to use a 6-track sound system, which introduced new technical challenges in sound design.<ref>{{cite web |date=20 December 2011 |title=Keeravani on Rajanna interview |url=https://idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/keeravani-rajanna.html |access-date=7 July 2024 |website=Idlebrain}}</ref>

The song "Jaamu Raatiri," with lyrics by [[Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry]] and sung by [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] and [[K. S. Chithra]], is regarded as a timeless classic.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dasagrardhi |first=Madhuri |title=A soothing lullaby turns 30 |url=https://telanganatoday.com/a-soothing-lullaby-turns-30 |access-date=2020-08-23 |website=Telangana Today |language=en-US}}</ref> A revamped version of the song was released on 23 August 2019 by Vel Records.<ref>{{cite news |date=14 August 2019 |title=This rekindled version of Jaamu Raathiri song from Kshana Kshanam will make your day |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/this-rekindled-version-of-jaamu-raathiri-song-from-kshana-kshanam-will-make-your-day/articleshow/70671900.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712020157/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/this-rekindled-version-of-jaamu-raathiri-song-from-kshana-kshanam-will-make-your-day/articleshow/70671900.cms |archive-date=12 July 2021 |access-date=2021-07-11 |website=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> The new version featured vocals by [[Hemachandra (singer)|Hemachandra]], [[Kaala Bhairava]], [[Manisha Eerabathini]], Deepu, Damini, Mounima, Shruthi, [[Noel Sean]], and Prudhvi Chandhra.<ref>{{cite web |date=2019-08-17 |title='Jaamu Raathiri': Rekindled version becomes a big hit - Telugu News |url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/jaamu-raathiri-rekindled-version-becomes-a-big-hit-telugu-news-242499 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711071107/https://www.indiaglitz.com/jaamu-raathiri-rekindled-version-becomes-a-big-hit-telugu-news-242499 |archive-date=11 July 2021 |access-date=2021-07-11 |website=IndiaGlitz.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title='జామురాతిరి జాబిలమ్మ' మరోసారి సక్సెస్.. |url=https://telugu.samayam.com/video-gallery/telugu-music-videos/latest-telugu-video-songs/kshana-kshanam-telugu-movie-jaamu-raathiri-rekindled-video-song/videoshow/70713371.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711071108/https://telugu.samayam.com/video-gallery/telugu-music-videos/latest-telugu-video-songs/kshana-kshanam-telugu-movie-jaamu-raathiri-rekindled-video-song/videoshow/70713371.cms |archive-date=11 July 2021 |access-date=2021-07-11 |website=Samayam Telugu |language=te}}</ref>{{Track listing
| collapsed =
| headline = Telugu Track-List
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 28:37

| title1 = Jaamu Raatiri
| lyrics1 = [[Sirivennela Sitaramasastri]]
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[K. S. Chithra|Chitra]]
| length1 = 4:59

| title2 = Jumbaaye
| lyrics2 = [[Vennelakanti]]
| extra2 = Chitra, [[Mano (singer)|Mano]]
| length2 = 6:55

| title3 = Ammayi Muddu
| lyrics3 = Sirivennela Sitaramasastri
| extra3 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra
| length3 = 5:37

| title4 = Andanantha Etta
| lyrics4 = Sirivennela Sitaramasastri
| extra4 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra
| length4 = 5:18

| title5 = Ko Ante Koti
| lyrics5 = Sirivennela Sitaramasastri
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[Sridevi]]
| length5 = 5:25
}}

{{Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| headline = Tamil Track-List
| title1 = Kattazhagu Rani
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[K. S. Chithra]]
| title2 = Thanimai Ratri
| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
| title3 = Inru Naan Kadhal Rani
| extra3 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
| title4 = Ammadi Muthum
| extra4 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
| title5 = Ada Machhinikki
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
}}

==Release==
''Kshana Kshanam'' was released on 9 October 1991.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-09 |title=30 ఏళ్ళ 'క్షణ క్షణం' |url=https://ntvtelugu.com/movie-news/specials/kshana-kshanam-movie-completes-30-years-66088.html |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=NTV Telugu |language=te-IN}}</ref> The film was dubbed and released in Tamil as ''Ennamo Nadakudhu'' and in Hindi as ''Hairaan'' in October 1992.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=16 October 1992 |title=Sridevi sizzles |page=7 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OZBlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=u54NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1226,2087793 |access-date=21 June 2021 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924052232/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OZBlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=u54NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1226%2C2087793 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Reception==
Griddaluru Gopalrao of ''[[Zamin Ryot]]'' wrote his review on 18 October 1991, appreciating the performances of the lead cast and the action sequences. Gopalrao, however, opined that the writing could have been better. He felt that the suspense was diluted because the audience was fed details which the characters themselves were not aware of.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gopalrao|first=Griddaluru|date=18 October 1991|title=చిత్ర సమీక్ష: క్షణ క్షణం|language=te|page=7|work=[[Zamin Ryot]]|url=http://www.zaminryot.com/pdf/1991/Oct/18-oct-1991.pdf|access-date=21 June 2021|archive-date=13 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913133558/http://zaminryot.com/pdf/1991/Oct/18-oct-1991.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 October 1992, Malini Mannath of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' termed the film a "comic-thriller." She wrote that "The climax scene on a train has been superbly directed."<ref name=":0" />

In July 2020, ''[[The News Minute]]''{{'s}} Balakrishna Ganeshan opined that the ''Kshana Kshanam'' tells the story from a female perspective which is rare in Indian cinema, however, he added that the film still suffers from male saviour complex. On the performance of the lead cast, he wrote: "Sridevi and Venkatesh are understated and subtle in their respective performances." Appreciating the cinematography, he stated: "S Gopal Reddy's cinematography too deserves mention. The film has a lot of top angle shots during the chasing sequences, which establish the chaos and keep the film fast-paced."<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-07-03|title=Revisiting 'Kshana Kshanam': The Sridevi-Venkatesh crime drama that remains a classic|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/revisiting-kshana-kshanam-sridevi-venkatesh-crime-drama-remains-classic-127893|access-date=2021-06-21|website=The News Minute|language=en|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624210713/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/revisiting-kshana-kshanam-sridevi-venkatesh-crime-drama-remains-classic-127893|url-status=live}}</ref>

The soundtrack and score were composed by [[M. M. Keeravani]] received positive reviews. The narrative by Varma and the cinematography by [[S. Gopala Reddy]] were appreciated.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kanchibhotla |first=Srinivas |title=Mattiloa Maanikyaalu {{!}} Best movies, yet box office failures |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/nosta/jewels/kshanakshanam.html |url-status=dead |website=idlebrain.com |access-date=12 May 2011 |archive-date=11 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111214418/http://idlebrain.com/nosta/jewels/kshanakshanam.html }}</ref>

==Awards==
;[[Nandi Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf|title=నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)|trans-title=A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)|publisher=[[Andhra Pradesh (magazine)|Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh]]|access-date=21 August 2020|archive-date=23 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223135739/http://ipr.ap.nic.in/New_Links/Film.pdf|url-status=live}}(in [[Telugu language|Telugu]])</ref>
* [[Nandi Award for Best Director|Best Director]] - [[Ram Gopal Varma]]
* [[Nandi Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] - [[Sridevi]]
* [[Nandi Award for Best Screenplay Writer|Best Screenplay Writer]] - Ram Gopal Varma
* [[Nandi Award for Best Cinematographer|Best Cinematographer]] - [[S. Gopala Reddy]]
* [[Nandi Award for Best Editor|Best Editor]] - Shankar

;[[Filmfare Awards South]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu|Best Actress – Telugu]] - [[Sridevi]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director - Telugu|Best Music Director - Telugu]] - [[M. M. Keeravani]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb title|id=0187115|title=Kshana Kshanam}}

{{Ram Gopal Varma|state=collapsed}}
[[Category:1990s avant-garde and experimental films]]
[[Category:1990s chase films]]
[[Category:1990s comedy road movies]]
[[Category:1990s comedy thriller films]]
[[Category:1990s heist films]]
[[Category:1991 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:1991 action thriller films]]
[[Category:1991 films]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Andhra Pradesh Police]]
[[Category:Films about bank robbery]]
[[Category:Films about contract killing in India]]
[[Category:Films directed by Ram Gopal Varma]]
[[Category:Films scored by M. M. Keeravani]]
[[Category:Films shot in Ooty]]
[[Category:Indian avant-garde and experimental films]]
[[Category:Indian chase films]]
[[Category:Indian comedy road movies]]
[[Category:Indian comedy thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian drama road movies]]
[[Category:Indian heist films]]
[[Category:Indian neo-noir films]]
[[Category:Indian nonlinear narrative films]]
[[Category:Telugu films remade in other languages]]

Kshana Kshanam - Revision history

Infycle Technologies at 18:23, 3 March 2026