From Box‑Office Struggles to Cult Status: ‘Kash’ Turns 39

Nearly four decades after its debut, Mahesh Bhatt’s 1987 drama ‘Kash’ has completed 39 years. Jackie Shroff, who portrayed the protagonist Ritesh, marked the anniversary with an Instagram post that compiled memorable scenes, captioning it with a reference to the film’s 36‑year milestone. The ensemble featured Dimple Kapadia as Pooja, child actor Master Makrand as Romi, and supporting performances by Anupam Kher, Satish Kaushik and Mahmood. Arshad Warsi’s entry into the film industry began as Bhatt’s assistant director on this project. Inspired by the personal saga of Rajesh Khanna and Dimple Kapadia, the story delves into the complexities of fame, financial loss, addiction, and a family’s fight against a fatal brain tumour in their son. Rajesh Roshan’s soundtrack, enriched by Kishore Kumar’s final playback songs, contributed to the film’s emotional weight. Over time, ‘Kash’ helped its cast transition from glamorous roles to respected dramatic artists.