{ "id": "epkxhh4n9g", "slug": "major-saab", "title": "Major Saab (मेजर साब)", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "label": "Indian films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1990s", "label": "Hindi films of the 1990s", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1990s" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1990s.action-and-thriller-films", "label": "Action and thriller films", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1990s.action-and-thriller-films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1990s.action-and-thriller-films.yr-1996-1999", "label": "Released 1996 to 1999", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1990s.action-and-thriller-films.yr-1996-1999" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1990s.action-and-thriller-films.yr-1996-1999", "label": "India · 1946 to 2000: Released 1996 to 1999", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1990s.action-and-thriller-films.yr-1996-1999", "path": [ { "id": "geo.ind", "label": "India", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946", "label": "India · 1946 to 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "label": "Indian films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1990s", "label": "Hindi films of the 1990s", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1990s" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1990s.action-and-thriller-films", "label": "Action and thriller films", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1990s.action-and-thriller-films" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1990s.action-and-thriller-films.yr-1996-1999", "label": "Released 1996 to 1999", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1990s.action-and-thriller-films.yr-1996-1999" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Major Saab (मेजर साब), 1998 Hindi action film by Tinnu Anand for ABCL, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Sonali Bendre; released 26 June 1998 after an NDA portrayal dispute; semi-hit grossing ₹13.10 crore nett in India.", "snippet": "Major Saab (मेजर साब), 1998 Hindi action film by Tinnu Anand for ABCL, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Sonali Bendre; released 26 June 1998 after an NDA portrayal dispute; semi-hit grossing ₹13.10 crore nett in India.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1990s.action-and-thriller-films.yr-1996-1999", "markdown": "# Major Saab (मेजर साब)\n\n**Major Saab** (मेजर साब) is a 1998 Indian Hindi-language action film directed by [Tinnu Anand](https://www.edgepedia.org/tinnu-anand) and produced by Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited (ABCL), starring [Amitabh Bachchan](https://www.edgepedia.org/amitabh-bachchan) as army Major Jasbir Singh Rana, with [Ajay Devgn](https://www.edgepedia.org/ajay-devgn), Sonali Bendre, and Nafisa Ali in the principal roles.[1](https://www.rediff.com/news/1998/jun/19major.htm) Set largely at the National Defence Academy (NDA), it follows a strict major's effort to reform a wealthy cadet who wants to be discharged.[2](https://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/jun/26major.htm) The film released on 26 June 1998 after a public dispute with the Indian army over its portrayal of academy life, and it finished its run as a semi-hit at the Indian box office.[3](https://m.rediff.com/news/1998/jun/16major.htm) • [4](https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2556)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Release | 26 June 1998, Hindi-language action film, censor rating U/A[5](https://cinemaazi.com/public/film/major-saab) |\n| Director / producer | Tinnu Anand (credited as Verinder Raj Anand); Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited[1](https://www.rediff.com/news/1998/jun/19major.htm) |\n| Lead cast | Amitabh Bachchan (Major Jasbir Singh Rana), Ajay Devgn (Virendra Pratap Singh), Sonali Bendre (Nisha), Nafisa Ali (Dr. Priya J. Rana)[6](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172761/fullcredits/) |\n| Music | Aadesh Shrivastava composed 'Sona Sona'; Anand Raj Anand composed the remaining songs[7](https://app.reglegbrief.com/watch/major-saab-1998-d108df92) |\n| India nett gross | ₹131 million (₹13.10 crore); opening day ₹9.1 million (₹0.91 crore); first week ₹45.8 million (₹4.58 crore)[4](https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2556) |\n| Verdict | Semi Hit (Box Office India and Bollywood Hungama); Sacnilk lists it as Hit[4](https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2556) • [8](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Major_Saab_1998) |\n| Budget | ₹87.5 million (₹8.75 crore) per Box Office India; Sacnilk lists ₹80 million (₹8.00 crore)[4](https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2556) • [8](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Major_Saab_1998) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Plot and characters\n\nMajor Jasbir Singh Rana (Amitabh Bachchan) trains cadets to become officers at the National Defence Academy. Virendra Pratap Singh (Ajay Devgn), a spoilt rich man who must join the academy under a clause in his late father's will, deliberately breaks every rule so the major will throw him out; the strict disciplinarian instead takes it on himself to make him a soldier.[2](https://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/jun/26major.htm) • [5](https://cinemaazi.com/public/film/major-saab) Virendra falls for Nisha ([Sonali Bendre](https://www.edgepedia.org/sonali-bendre)), the sister of the gangster Shankar, who pretends to accept him and then has him brutally beaten; the major comes to the young man's aid, and according to the film's press brochure he was court-martialled for doing so.[2](https://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/jun/26major.htm) • [7](https://app.reglegbrief.com/watch/major-saab-1998-d108df92) [Nafisa Ali](https://www.edgepedia.org/nafisa-ali) plays the major's wife, Dr. Priya J. Rana.[6](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172761/fullcredits/)\n\nThe trade journal Film Information described the film as a love story set against an army backdrop, noting that the romance itself has little to do with the military setting, and that the first half is slow and belongs to Devgn while the second half belongs to Bachchan.[9](https://filminformation.com/featured/flashback-23-june-2023-from-our-issue-dated-27th-june-1998/)\n\n## Dispute with the army\n\nAt a preview in June 1998, officials from the defense ministry and senior officers of the three wings of the armed forces objected to what they called a wrongful and distorted portrayal of discipline, particularly at the National Defence Academy at Khadakvasla.[3](https://m.rediff.com/news/1998/jun/16major.htm) Officers listed specific complaints: cadets shown with stubble and long hair when academy cadets must be well-dressed and shaved, eight cadets sharing a dormitory when they are given individual cabins, cadets leaving the academy at will for romantic encounters, use of academy weapons and even rocket launchers against a local don, a marriage conducted at the NDA, and a commandant shown as a brigadier when the academy is actually headed by a lieutenant-general.[3](https://m.rediff.com/news/1998/jun/16major.htm) Bachchan reportedly met army chief General Ved Prakash Malik to seek an early release, and defense ministry sources said the film could be released only after major changes.[3](https://m.rediff.com/news/1998/jun/16major.htm)\n\nThe dispute was settled within days. Bachchan issued a statement calling the film a commercial work in the realm of fiction and make-believe, saying the incidents shown do not reflect what happens at the NDA and that the producers meant no disrespect to the institution; with all recommended changes made, the film released on 26 June as scheduled.[1](https://www.rediff.com/news/1998/jun/19major.htm)\n\n## Production\n\nFilming took place at the National Defence Academy in Pune, in Australia, at Mumbai's Mehboob Studio and Film City, and at Neemrana Fort Palace.[5](https://cinemaazi.com/public/film/major-saab) The 'Kehta Hai Pal-2' song was filmed at the Millaa Millaa waterfalls in [Queensland](https://www.edgepedia.org/queensland), Australia.[6](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172761/fullcredits/) Robin Bhatt wrote the story and co-wrote the screenplay with Santosh Saroj, who also wrote the dialogue; [Ravi K. Chandran](https://www.edgepedia.org/ravi-k-chandran) was the cinematographer and [Sabu Cyril](https://www.edgepedia.org/sabu-cyril) the art director.[6](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172761/fullcredits/)\n\nThe production was troubled. Director Tinnu Anand later said that ABCL was going through its worst phase during the 54-day NDA shoot in Pune: Bachchan's houses were mortgaged, the unit from Chennai went on strike repeatedly over unpaid wages, there was no production manager, and Anand handled direction and production together, was hospitalized twice, and swore off directing afterward.[10](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/biginterview-tinnu-anand-i-was-cast-for-the-role-that-amitabh-bachchan-played-in-saat-hindustani/articleshow/84102321.cms) Film Information also recorded a technical snag just before the final prints were prepared, and that publicity materials were not ready three weeks before release.[9](https://filminformation.com/featured/flashback-23-june-2023-from-our-issue-dated-27th-june-1998/) • [11](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/25-years-major-saab-sona-sona-originally-meant-lal-badshah-vashu-bhagnani-came-amitabh-bachchans-rescue-helped-designed-films-attractive-hoardi/) [Abhishek Bachchan](https://www.edgepedia.org/abhishek-bachchan) worked on the film as an uncredited assistant, and Ajay Devgn reportedly took over directing for a time when Anand was ill.[7](https://app.reglegbrief.com/watch/major-saab-1998-d108df92)\n\n## Music\n\n'Sona Sona', composed by [Aadesh Shrivastava](https://www.edgepedia.org/aadesh-shrivastava), became the film's signature number. Film [Information](https://www.edgepedia.org/information) called it a rage and the best thing in the film, noting that in the pre-climax it drew applause, whistles, cheers, and dancing along with Bachchan.[9](https://filminformation.com/featured/flashback-23-june-2023-from-our-issue-dated-27th-june-1998/) Anand Raj Anand composed the other songs, with lyrics by Anand Raj Anand and Dev Kohli.[7](https://app.reglegbrief.com/watch/major-saab-1998-d108df92) According to a 2023 retrospective, 'Sona Sona' was originally meant for the film Lal Badshah.[11](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/25-years-major-saab-sona-sona-originally-meant-lal-badshah-vashu-bhagnani-came-amitabh-bachchans-rescue-helped-designed-films-attractive-hoardi/)\n\n## Box office\n\nTrade sources agree on the shape of the run but differ on totals. Box Office India and Bollywood Hungama both record an opening day of ₹9.1 million (₹0.91 crore), an opening weekend of ₹25.9 million (₹2.59 crore), a first week of ₹45.8 million (₹4.58 crore), and a lifetime India nett of ₹131 million (₹13.10 crore), against a budget of ₹87.5 million (₹8.75 crore), with a worldwide gross of ₹232.2 million (₹23.22 crore; ₹213.7 million (₹21.37 crore) India gross plus $435,000 overseas) and about 11.4 million (1.14 crore) footfalls; both give the verdict Semi Hit.[4](https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2556) • [12](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/major-saab/box-office/) Sacnilk instead reports an India net of ₹129.7 million (₹12.97 crore), a worldwide total of ₹221.8 million (₹22.18 crore), a budget of ₹80 million (₹8.00 crore), and the verdict Hit.[8](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Major_Saab_1998) Box Office India ranks the film tenth among 1998 Hindi releases by adjusted nett gross, at ₹1,093,645,240.[13](https://www.boxofficeindia.com/hit-down.php?txtYearlyData=1990-1999&year=1998)\n\nContemporary reporting was harsher than the eventual verdict. A Rediff column in late June 1998 called the film a major disaster with a lukewarm opening across the country, noting heavy rains in Bombay and that the survival of ABCL was seen as dependent on the film.[14](https://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/jun/30sh.htm) Film Information, by contrast, reported an astounding, cinema-shattering opening everywhere except Jaipur, with the film released on 25 June at Metro in Bombay and on 26 June at 19 other Bombay cinemas through Shringar Films, and predicted distributors would stay satisfied on the strength of the 'Sona Sona' song, Bachchan's performance, the opening, and the film's reasonable price.[9](https://filminformation.com/featured/flashback-23-june-2023-from-our-issue-dated-27th-june-1998/)\n\n## Reception and aftermath\n\nFilm Information praised Devgn's acting, called Bachchan's performance one of the film's four selling points, found Sonali Bendre's work average, and criticized the loose editing, saying the film would improve if cut by about 10 minutes.[9](https://filminformation.com/featured/flashback-23-june-2023-from-our-issue-dated-27th-june-1998/) The film is remembered chiefly for 'Sona Sona' and as one of Amitabh Bachchan's few successes between his 1997 comeback film [Mrityudaata](https://www.edgepedia.org/mrityudaata) and his career revival with [Mohabbatein](https://www.edgepedia.org/mohabbatein) in 2000.[11](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/25-years-major-saab-sona-sona-originally-meant-lal-badshah-vashu-bhagnani-came-amitabh-bachchans-rescue-helped-designed-films-attractive-hoardi/) For Tinnu Anand it was his last film as director; he moved into acting afterward.[10](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/biginterview-tinnu-anand-i-was-cast-for-the-role-that-amitabh-bachchan-played-in-saat-hindustani/articleshow/84102321.cms)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Controversy over Bachchan's Major Saab resolved, Rediff (19 June 1998)](https://www.rediff.com/news/1998/jun/19major.htm)\n2. [The preview of Major Saab, Rediff (26 June 1998)](https://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/jun/26major.htm)\n3. [Army objects to portrayal of NDA in Bachchan film, Rediff (16 June 1998)](https://m.rediff.com/news/1998/jun/16major.htm)\n4. [Major Saab, Box Office India](https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2556)\n5. [Major Saab (1998), Cinemaazi](https://cinemaazi.com/public/film/major-saab)\n6. [Major Saab (1998) full cast and crew, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172761/fullcredits/)\n7. [Major Saab (1998), RLB-Tube film entry](https://app.reglegbrief.com/watch/major-saab-1998-d108df92)\n8. [Major Saab (1998) box office, Sacnilk](https://www.sacnilk.com/movie/Major_Saab_1998)\n9. [FLASHBACK: From Film Information's issue dated 27 June 1998](https://filminformation.com/featured/flashback-23-june-2023-from-our-issue-dated-27th-june-1998/)\n10. [#BigInterview! Tinnu Anand, Times of India (2021)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/biginterview-tinnu-anand-i-was-cast-for-the-role-that-amitabh-bachchan-played-in-saat-hindustani/articleshow/84102321.cms)\n11. [25 Years of Major Saab: 'Sona Sona' was originally meant for Lal Badshah, Bollywood Hungama (2023)](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/25-years-major-saab-sona-sona-originally-meant-lal-badshah-vashu-bhagnani-came-amitabh-bachchans-rescue-helped-designed-films-attractive-hoardi/)\n12. [Major Saab box office collection, Bollywood Hungama](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/major-saab/box-office/)\n13. [Top Hits 1998, Box Office India](https://www.boxofficeindia.com/hit-down.php?txtYearlyData=1990-1999&year=1998)\n14. [What's on in Bollywood, Rediff (30 June 1998)](https://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/jun/30sh.htm)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Hindi films of the 1990s › Action and thriller films › Released 1996 to 1999*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/major-saab", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/major-saab.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Major Saab (मेजर साब)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/major-saab. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Major Saab (मेजर साब)](https://www.edgepedia.org/major-saab)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/major-saab](https://www.edgepedia.org/major-saab). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Major Saab (मेजर साब)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/major-saab. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Major Saab, 1998 Hindi action film by Tinnu Anand for ABCL, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Sonali Bendre; released 26 June 1998 after an NDA portrayal dispute; semi-hit grossing ₹13.10 crore nett in India." }