Created by Shubha
Last edited March 24, 2026


Aks 2001 film
File:AksPoster.jpg


Theatrical release poster

Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Written by Rensil D'Silva
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Kamlesh Pandey
Produced by Amitabh Bachchan
Jhamu Sughand
Starring Amitabh Bachchan
Raveena Tandon
Manoj Bajpayee
Nandita Das
Cinematography Kiran Deohans
Edited by P. S. Bharathi
Music by Songs:
Anu Malik
Score:
Ranjit Barot





Country India
Language Hindi
Budget Template:INR110 million


Aks (Template:Translation) is a 2001 Indian Hindi-language supernatural action thriller film directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Raveena Tandon, and Manoj Bajpayee in leading roles. The music was composed by Anu Malik. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics and being a box office flop, it won three awards at the 47th Filmfare Awards: Best Actor — Critics (Bachchan), Special Award Performance (Tandon), and Best Sound Design (Ranjan). Bachchan and Bajpayee were nominated for the Best Actor and Best Villain at the same ceremony as well.

Synopsis

Aks is a supernatural thriller centering on two characters― a cop named Manu Verma and a shadowy killer named Raghavan. During a conference in Budapest, the defence minister is found murdered. Manu Verma investigates the case and discovers that the culprit is Raghavan Ghatge, a sociopathic serial killer who works as a hitman.

Raghavan is caught. As he is about to be executed by hanging, his spirit goes into Manu's body and starts to manipulate the cop into performing acts that Raghavan wanted to perform. But he couldn't save himself. He goes to another town but is not able to find peace.

Eventually, Raghavan's spirit leaves Manu's body. Everything seems to be normal. Manu and his family go on vacation. Unfortunately, Raghavan's spirit is still alive and possesses Raghavan's brother.

Cast

Production

Aks is the directorial debut of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. Amitabh Bachchan sported a French beard to portray his character.[1]

Music

Template:Infobox album

A. R. Rahman was initially approached to compose original score and songs for the film. Rahman initially agreed and then opted out for reasons unknown. Rahman would later compose for Mehra's Rang De Basanti and Delhi 6. After Rahman walked out of the project, the background score was composed by Rahman's associate Ranjit Barot while the songs were composed by Anu Malik with lyrics penned by Gulzar. Sukanya Verma of Rediff appreciated the album saying that Aks is a "captivating album with funky, experimental, new age music".[2]

Template:Track listing

Reception

The Hindu praised the cinematography and music of the film along with the acting performances of all actors, specially Amitabh Bachchan.[3] Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama gave the film two out of five, praising the visuals and music of the film but criticized the film for being too complicated and slow.[4]

Awards and nominations

Ceremony Category Recipient Result
47th Filmfare Awards Best Actor Amitabh Bachchan Template:Nominated
Best Actor (Critics) rowspan="4" Template:Won
Special Award Raveena Tandon
Best Sound Design Ranjit Ranjan
Best Background Score Ranjit Barot
Best Actor in a Negative Role Manoj Bajpayee Template:Nominated

References

Template:Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra Template:Authority control