Sudhir Mishra reflects on 29 years of Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin: Mumbai’s wild 90s revisited

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Veteran filmmaker Sudhir Mishra recently reflected on the 29th anniversary of his cult classic Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin, which vividly captures the chaotic spirit of Mumbai in the 1990s.

The film, released on June 7, 1994, starred Nirmal Pandey, Tara Deshpande, Smriti Mishra, and Saurabh Shukla. Mishra described the era as a time when "corporate India was exploding" and the economy was opening up, prompting him to question, "Who's the hero?"

He deliberately cast Nirmal Pandey as an advertising executive and Ashish Vidyarthi as a gangland boss, reflecting the dual worlds clashing in Mumbai at the time. Mishra also shared a personal anecdote about his brother Sudhanshu's encounter with local gangsters during their film institute days, underscoring the gritty reality that inspired the film.

Music played a significant role in the film's lasting appeal. Mishra agreed to add songs upon suggestion, bringing in composer M.M. Kreem. Tracks like "Chup Tum Raho," "Jeevan Kya Hai," and "Tere Mere Naam" remain popular, with Mishra calling them "great tracks" still sung today.

Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin remains a powerful drama that revisits Mumbai's wild 90s, blending the rise of corporate India with the underworld's shadow, immortalized through its compelling narrative and memorable music.

Sources:

Veteran filmmaker Sudhir Mishra reflects on the 29th anniversary of his cult film Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin, set in Mumbai's wild 1990s. The drama, starring Nirmal Pandey and Tara Deshpande, captures the era's gangland and corporate upheaval, with memorable music by M.M. Kreem.

Sudhir Mishra reflects on 29 years of iconic 1996 film

I deliberately cast Nirmal Pandey as the advertising guy and Ashish Vidyarthi, slightly darker, as the gangland boss.

Sudhir Mishra

Filmmaker

Key Facts

Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin directed by Sudhir Mishra was released on June 7, 1996, marking 29 years this June.
The film starred Nirmal Pandey, Tara Deshpande, Smriti Mishra, and Saurabh Shukla in key roles.
Set in the wild Mumbai of the 1990s, the story explored themes of gangland and corporate India during a chaotic era.
Sudhir Mishra cast Nirmal Pandey as an advertising professional and Ashish Vidyarthi as a gangland boss to reflect contrasting characters.
The film’s music was composed by M.M. Kreem, featuring memorable songs like 'Chup Tum Raho' and 'Jeevan Kya Hai' that remain popular.
On June 7, 2025, Sudhir Mishra reflected on the film’s 29-year legacy and its portrayal of Mumbai’s chaotic 1990s era.

Key Stats at a Glance

Age of the film 'Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin'

29 years

Real-life inspirations and 1990s Mumbai context

When my brother Sudhanshu was at the film institute in Pune, some local goons misbehaved with a fellow student. He slapped one of them, not realizing the guy was a local ganglord’s brother.