The year was 1988 which saw the transition of younger stars taking over the mantle from Amitabh Bachchan who ruled the box office for over a decade and a half as the angry young man. The 80s saw the emergence of stars like Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Anil Kapoor coming into their own. The year also saw the release of big-B’s Shehenshah and Aamir Khan’s Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak but it was Anil Kapoor’s Tezaab that emerged as the biggest winner at the box office. Tezaab was released on the 11th of November 1988 and was a hattrick from producer and director N. Chandra who had delivered successful hits like Ankush (1986) and Pratighaat (1987). The success of Tezaab catapulted him to the big league thanks to the song ‘Ek Do Teen…’ that became a chart-buster before its release. Tezaab was a cult film that provided super-stardom status to Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit’s career, respectively, which ran in theatres for more than 50 weeks becoming a golden jubilee all over India.

The reason for Tezaab’s super success was the way N. Chandra presented the youth by venting out his frustration and anger against the system through Anil’s character Mahesh (Munna) Deshmukh. This was aptly supported by writers - Kamlesh Pandey & N. Chandra, Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal, Lyrics by Javed Akhtar, and Choreography by Saroj Khan. Besides the songs, the hard-hitting dialogues of Tezaab stood out of which these top 10 dialogues remain unforgettable…

1. First scene where Lotiya Pathan’s henchman threatens Shyamlal: “Shyamlal, Dhamki Nahin… Yeh Toh Sirf Dastakhat Hai, Poora Dastaavez Toh Kal Likha Jaayegaa… Aur Tab Tak Likha Jaayega, Jab Tak Tere Jism Mein Khoon Hai Aur Hamari Kalam Mein Dum…!"
2. Munna’s introduction scene where he collects ‘Hafta’:
   "Teri Zindagi Aur Maut Ke Beech Ka Faasla Munna Ke Chaaku Ke Dhaar Se Zyaada Nahin Hai…!"
3. When Munna offers Shyamlal to rescue Mohini from Lotiya’s clutches when Shyamlal replies:
   "Arre Waah! Yeh Toh Padosi Ke Bete Waali Baat Hui… Peyd Pe Chadha Aur Neeche Utraa, Toh Aam Milenge… Aur Gir Ke Mar Gaya Toh Shraadh Mein Toh Khaana Milegaa Hi… Bhai Waah!"
4. Lotiya’s address:
   Kasara Ghat Ke Paas… Gafoor Basti Ke Peeche… Shaitaan Tigdi Mein…
5. Mohini is saved by Munna at the swimming pool from drowning:
   "Seekhnewaale Ko Na Sahi Par Doobnewale Ko Is Baat Se Parez Nahin Hona Chahiye Ki Bachaanewaale Ke Haath Aurat Ke Hain Ya Mard Ke… Waise Bachne Ka Bahut-Bahut Shukriyaa…"
6. Munna meets his friends on the first day of college:
   "Nasik Ho Yaa Bambai... Ladkiyaan Ladkiyaan Hoti Hain, Pataane Ka Tareeka Aana Chahiye... Pyaar Kiya Nahin Jaata Karvaaya Jaata Hai.."
7. When Shyamlal meets Lotiya for money:
   "Paisa Lotiya Ki Zaroorat Nahin Lotiya Ka Hathyaar Hai, Shyamlal… Lotiya Ka Yakeen Apne Karzdaaron Ki Zubaan Ka Mohtaaj Nahin… Kyonki, Lotiya Jab Deta Hai Toh Ahsaan Nahin Karta Aur Jab Leta Hai Toh Lehaaz Nahin Karta…"
8. When Munna is sentenced to one year in jail for killing Chhote Khan and meets Jyoti on the way:
   "Be Brave, Be Tough, Akele Jeena Seekho... Zindagi Sab Sikha Deti Hai... Laad Pyaar Ka Mausam Gaya, Jyoti... Na-Insaafi, Fareb, Gunaah, Saazishein... In Sab Se Har Kadam Pe Ladkar Jeena Hai Tumhe... Meri Sazaa Hai, Magar Imtihaan Tumhara Hai... Good Luck!"
9. When Munna rescues Mohini and Lotiya refutes:
   "Teri Himmat Ki Daad Toh Tera Dushman Bhi Dega Munna… Kyonki Meri Ijaazat Ke Bagair Koi Ek Sui Tak Nahin Lejaa Sakta Hai Aur Tu Is Londiya Ko Lekar Jaa Raha Hai…!"
10. When Munna explains to his sister Jyoti as to why he can’t marry Mohini:
    "Main Ek Tadipaar Hoon, Police Mere Peeche Hai… Bhaagne Ke Liye Pairon Taley Zameen Kum Padhti Hai, Toh Ghar Kahaan Se Doonga Ussey…? Pyar Toh Rahega ... Uske Dil Mein Nafrat Ki Tarah Aur Mere Dil Mein Nasoor Ki Tarah…"

Even today, the euphoria of Tezaab refuses to die down after 35 years. A landmark film that should be a sure shot collection for any film buff from the present and coming generations.

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