Ajooba

Ajooba (transl. Prodigy) is a 1991 superhero film, produced and directed by Shashi Kapoor and also co-directed by Soviet filmmaker Gennadi Vasilyev. An Indian-USSR co-production, it is loosely based on Arabic folklore (such as One Thousand and One Nights). The film had a Russian language version released in the Soviet Union as two parts, Vozvrashcheniye Bagdadskogo Vora (The Return of the Thief of Baghdad)[2] and Черный принц Аджуба (Black Prince Ajuba).[3]

The Afghan kingdom of “Baharistan” is ruled by a just and kind Sultan, Ali Rizwan Mohhamad Dokeer Khan (Shammi Kapoor). All is well in the land, except that the Sultan seemingly can’t have children. An evil devil-worshipping Vazir (Amrish Puri) seeks to usurp the throne, revive his “fauladi shaitan” (a huge demon-like figure made of stone), and take over the world. The Vazir instructs his maids to strangle every child born to the Sultan. Finally, however, a spark of divine intervention (presented literally as a spark which descends from the heavens and enters the womb) renders the next newborn son immune to the poisons and strangulations administered by the maids. This Shehezada (prince) eventually becomes Ajooba (miracle).

The Sultan and his wife Malika (Ariadna Shengelaya) kick off celebrations throughout the land. The good court magician Ameer Baba (Saeed Jaffrey), recently returned from his travels to the “land of Hind” (i.e., India), presents a magic sword to the Sultan. The Sultan thrusts it into a pillar (verifying its keenness), and Ameer Baba pronounces that it may be drawn out of the stone again only by a member of the royal family (rather like the Excalibur).

Soon after, the Sultan privately discusses “traitors” with Ameer Baba. The Vazir overhears, eventually tricks Ameer Baba, steals his Necklace of Immortality, throws him into the dungeon, attempts to murder the Sultan and his family and take over the throne. The Sultan escapes with his wife and child. After a pitched battle involving magic carpets, storms and ships, the Sultan is missing. Malika is blinded, and the young Shehzada is washed ashore by a dolphin (whom he eventually thinks of as his mother) to a blacksmith. This blacksmith adopts the kid, trains him in all the worldly and martial arts, and thus creates Ajooba. In the meantime, the Vazir blames Ameer Baba for the Sultan’s murder, takes over the throne, and begins ravaging the land, always uttering his slogan Shaitan Zindabaad (Long live the Devil).