# Khel Khel Mein (1977 film)
**Khel Khel Mein** (खेल खेल में, "In the Game") is a Hindi-language comedy-mystery-thriller in which three college students play a ransom prank on a wealthy jeweller and then find themselves framed for his murder by a mysterious criminal.[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073236/) It was directed by Ravi Tandon, produced by Ravi Malhotra, and stars [Rishi Kapoor](https://www.edgepedia.org/rishi-kapoor), Neetu Singh, and [Rakesh Roshan](https://www.edgepedia.org/rakesh-roshan), with music by Rahul Dev Burman (R.D. Burman).[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073236/) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073236/fullcredits/) Indian sources date the film's Indian theatrical release to 13 May 1975, while IMDb carries the title under 1977; both datings appear in the record and are noted below.[3](https://www.moviebuff.com/khel-khel-mein) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073236/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Director / producer | Ravi Tandon (director); Ravi Malhotra (producer)[2](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073236/fullcredits/) |
| Lead cast | Rishi Kapoor as Ajay Anand, Neetu Singh as Nisha, Rakesh Roshan as Vikram "Vicky"[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073236/) |
| Music | R.D. Burman (composer), Gulshan Bawra (lyrics); soundtrack of 8 songs, 35 minutes[4](https://music.apple.com/us/album/khel-khel-mein-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1337318210) |
| Writers | Sachin Bhowmick (screenplay), Gulshan Bawra (lyrics), Kader Khan (dialogue), Shaily Shailendra (story)[2](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073236/fullcredits/) |
| Release | 13 May 1975 in India (wide theatrical); IMDb lists the title as 1977, with a Portugal release of 16 December 1977[3](https://www.moviebuff.com/khel-khel-mein) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073236/) |
| Runtime | 139 minutes (2h 19m) per IMDb; other listings give 2h 20m or 2h 44m[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073236/) • [5](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/khel_khel_mein_1975) |
| Box office | Listed among the top grossers of 1975, in the order Sholay, Jai Santoshi Maa, Dharmatma, Deewaar, Sanyasi, Pratigya, Khel Khel Mein, Warrant, Rafoo Chakkar, Chori Mera Kaam, Zakhmee, Kala Sona, and Julie[6](https://epaper.navhindtimes.in/PageImages/pdf/2025/02/09/0902025-md-ga-11.pdf) |
## Spoilers
### Plot
Ajay Anand (Rishi Kapoor) joins a college in Shimla, where ragging by Vikram (Rakesh Roshan) and his friends leads to a fight and then to a strong friendship; Ajay joins the gang and falls in love with Nisha ([Neetu Singh](https://www.edgepedia.org/neetu-singh)).[7](https://www.tvguide.com/movies/khel-khel-mein/cast/2030128877/) The group is known for playing funny pranks by betting with each other.[7](https://www.tvguide.com/movies/khel-khel-mein/cast/2030128877/)
**The prank.** The trio target Ghanshyamdas Johari (Jankidas), a miserly jeweller whose shop stands opposite the college, to test what he values more, his life or his money.[8](https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-classic-rishi-neetus-inexhaustible-charm-in-khel-khel-mein/20130829.htm) They send a typed letter demanding a ransom of Rs 5,000 under the name of a fabricated gang, "Black Cobra", with a death threat if the police are called.[7](https://www.tvguide.com/movies/khel-khel-mein/cast/2030128877/) • [9](https://theprint.in/feature/in-angry-young-man-era-khel-khel-mein-stood-out-for-its-wisecracking-rogue-rakesh-roshan/2878684/) As Vikram dictates and a reluctant Ajay types, Nisha spots that Rs 50,000 has been typed instead of 5,000, but they run with it; none of them expects the money to be delivered, yet the jeweller deposits it.[9](https://theprint.in/feature/in-angry-young-man-era-khel-khel-mein-stood-out-for-its-wisecracking-rogue-rakesh-roshan/2878684/)
**The aftermath.** Ghanshyamdas is found dead the next day, and the police find the letter near his body, making Ajay and Nisha prime suspects.[7](https://www.tvguide.com/movies/khel-khel-mein/cast/2030128877/) • [9](https://theprint.in/feature/in-angry-young-man-era-khel-khel-mein-stood-out-for-its-wisecracking-rogue-rakesh-roshan/2878684/) A stranger begins stalking the pair, and it emerges that "Black Cobra" is a real criminal rather than a figment of their imagination.[7](https://www.tvguide.com/movies/khel-khel-mein/cast/2030128877/) Two more characters die, including one of the leads, before the killer is revealed in a twist ending.[9](https://theprint.in/feature/in-angry-young-man-era-khel-khel-mein-stood-out-for-its-wisecracking-rogue-rakesh-roshan/2878684/)
## Production and sources
The film was shot at Filmistan Studios, Mehboob Studios, R.K. Studios in Chembur, and Rajkamal Studios in Parel, Mumbai.[10](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073236/locations/) Rediff's retrospective states the story was inspired by the French amateur-detective writer Louis C. Thomas's *Les Mauvaises Fréquentations*, although the screen story is credited to Shaily Shailender; a Carvaan radio-show description credits the adaptation to the [English novel](https://www.edgepedia.org/english-novel) *Good Guys Don't Kill* by Louis Thomas.[8](https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-classic-rishi-neetus-inexhaustible-charm-in-khel-khel-mein/20130829.htm) • [11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqi_TWJeL-w)
[Mithun Chakraborty](https://www.edgepedia.org/mithun-chakraborty), before his debut in *Mrigayaa* (1976), appeared as an extra in the title credits.[7](https://www.tvguide.com/movies/khel-khel-mein/cast/2030128877/)
## Music
R.D. Burman composed the score and Gulshan Bawra wrote the lyrics; the soundtrack runs 8 songs in 35 minutes on the Saregama release.[4](https://music.apple.com/us/album/khel-khel-mein-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1337318210) The best-remembered numbers include the duet Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, sung by [Kishore Kumar](https://www.edgepedia.org/kishore-kumar) and [Asha Bhosle](https://www.edgepedia.org/asha-bhosle), and Khullam Khulla Pyar Karenge, both featured on Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh.[12](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/celebrities/story/rishi-kapoor-and-neetu-singh-s-12-films-together-khel-khel-mein-to-do-dooni-chaar-1672810-2020-04-30) • [8](https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-classic-rishi-neetus-inexhaustible-charm-in-khel-khel-mein/20130829.htm) [Aruna Irani](https://www.edgepedia.org/aruna-irani)'s solo Sapna Mera Toot Gaya, sung by Asha Bhosle, carries a resemblance to Ennio Morricone's "Story of a Soldier".[8](https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-classic-rishi-neetus-inexhaustible-charm-in-khel-khel-mein/20130829.htm)
At the 23rd [Filmfare Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/filmfare-awards) the film was nominated for Best Music Director (R.D. Burman), which went to [Rajesh Roshan](https://www.edgepedia.org/rajesh-roshan) for *Julie*; Asha Bhosle was nominated for Best Playback Singer (Female) and lost to [Sulakshana Pandit](https://www.edgepedia.org/sulakshana-pandit) for "Tu hi sagar hai" from *Sankalp*.[8](https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-classic-rishi-neetus-inexhaustible-charm-in-khel-khel-mein/20130829.htm)
## Reception and legacy
Rediff's retrospective describes the film as a Rose Movies super-hit that came out the same year as *Sholay*, *Deewar*, *Chupke Chupke*, *Aandhi*, and *Dharmatma*, and credits Sachin Bhowmick's screenplay and the editing by Waman Bhosle and Gurudutt with keeping the 2-hour-20-minute running time free of needless distractions.[8](https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-classic-rishi-neetus-inexhaustible-charm-in-khel-khel-mein/20130829.htm) The same review calls it one of the most fashionable movies of the 1970s, noting Rakesh Roshan's oversized belts and turtlenecks and Neetu Singh's mini dresses in psychedelic prints.[8](https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-classic-rishi-neetus-inexhaustible-charm-in-khel-khel-mein/20130829.htm) The Print places the film as a template for the Indian college caper-cum-whodunnit, appearing in the same year that [Amitabh Bachchan](https://www.edgepedia.org/amitabh-bachchan) perfected the angry-young-man persona in *Sholay* and *Deewaar*.[9](https://theprint.in/feature/in-angry-young-man-era-khel-khel-mein-stood-out-for-its-wisecracking-rogue-rakesh-roshan/2878684/)
**Remakes.** The director duo Abbas-Mustan remade the film successfully as *Khiladi* (1992) with [Akshay Kumar](https://www.edgepedia.org/akshay-kumar), Ayesha Jhulka, and [Deepak Tijori](https://www.edgepedia.org/deepak-tijori); an IMDb user note likewise records that Abbas-Mustan's *Khiladi* drew inspiration from this film with a different track.[8](https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-classic-rishi-neetus-inexhaustible-charm-in-khel-khel-mein/20130829.htm) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073236/) In 2012, actor-producer [Sanjay Kapoor](https://www.edgepedia.org/sanjay-kapoor) bought the remake rights and announced a contemporary version with a fresh cast, scripted by Shibani Bathija, with filming planned for the following year.[13](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/sanjay-kapoor-to-remake-khel-khel-main/articleshow/13020921.cms) • [14](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/khel-khel-mein-remake-filming-to-start-next-year-says-sanjay-kapoor-103294-2012-05-24) The 2024 Akshay Kumar comedy *Khel Khel Mein* borrows the name of the 1970s film but is a different story, an adaptation of the Italian film *Perfect Strangers*.[15](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/khel-khel-mein-movie-review-akshay-kumar-vaani-kapoor-taapsee-pannu-flair-in-no-holds-barred-comedy-9515358/lite/)
## Dating note
The film's year is reported inconsistently. Moviebuff, TheTVDB, and What's After the Movie give an Indian wide theatrical release of 13 May 1975, and the Navhind Times counts it among 1975's top grossers.[3](https://www.moviebuff.com/khel-khel-mein) • [16](https://thetvdb.com/movies/khel-khel-mein) • [6](https://epaper.navhindtimes.in/PageImages/pdf/2025/02/09/0902025-md-ga-11.pdf) IMDb titles the film "Khel Khel Mein (1977)" and lists a Portugal release date of 16 December 1977.[1](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073236/) Bollywood Hungama and Indian Film History also use 1975.[17](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/khel-khel-mein/) • [18](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/movie/khel-khel-mein)
## References
1. [Khel Khel Mein (1977), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073236/)
2. [Khel Khel Mein (1977) – Full cast & crew, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073236/fullcredits/)
3. [Khel Khel Mein (1975), Moviebuff.com](https://www.moviebuff.com/khel-khel-mein)
4. [Khel Khel Mein (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/khel-khel-mein-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1337318210)
5. [Khel Khel Mein (1975), Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/khel_khel_mein_1975)
6. [The Navhind Times, 9 February 2025](https://epaper.navhindtimes.in/PageImages/pdf/2025/02/09/0902025-md-ga-11.pdf)
7. [Khel Khel Mein – Full Cast & Crew, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/movies/khel-khel-mein/cast/2030128877/)
8. [Classic: Rishi-Neetu's inexhaustible charm in Khel Khel Mein!, Rediff.com (2013)](https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-classic-rishi-neetus-inexhaustible-charm-in-khel-khel-mein/20130829.htm)
9. [In angry young man era, Khel Khel Mein stood out for its wisecracking rogue Rakesh Roshan, ThePrint](https://theprint.in/feature/in-angry-young-man-era-khel-khel-mein-stood-out-for-its-wisecracking-rogue-rakesh-roshan/2878684/)
10. [Khel Khel Mein (1977) – Filming & production, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073236/locations/)
11. [Carvaan Classic Radio Show: Khel Khel Mein, YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqi_TWJeL-w)
12. [Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh's 12 films together, India Today (2020)](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/celebrities/story/rishi-kapoor-and-neetu-singh-s-12-films-together-khel-khel-mein-to-do-dooni-chaar-1672810-2020-04-30)
13. [Sanjay Kapoor to remake 'Khel Khel Main', Times of India (2012)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/sanjay-kapoor-to-remake-khel-khel-main/articleshow/13020921.cms)
14. [Khel Khel Mein remake filming to start next year: Sanjay, India Today (2012)](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/khel-khel-mein-remake-filming-to-start-next-year-says-sanjay-kapoor-103294-2012-05-24)
15. [Khel Khel Mein movie review, The Indian Express (2024)](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/khel-khel-mein-movie-review-akshay-kumar-vaani-kapoor-taapsee-pannu-flair-in-no-holds-barred-comedy-9515358/lite/)
16. [Khel Khel Mein, TheTVDB.com](https://thetvdb.com/movies/khel-khel-mein)
17. [Khel Khel Mein, Bollywood Hungama](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/khel-khel-mein/)
18. [Khel Khel Mein, Indian Film History](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/movie/khel-khel-mein)
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*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 1970s › Released 1976 to 1979*
*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license