By chance, Rukmini sees this photograph. Mistaking Shankar for the man in her dreams, she falls in love with his image. Her servant, (Johnny Lever), secretly shows the photo to Raja Saab, hoping to arrange a marriage.
Setting: A remote, rural mining town dominated by a coal mine and its tyrannical owner. Part 1: The Devil’s Kingdom The story introduces Raja Saab (Amrish Puri), a wealthy, ruthless, and sadistic coal mine owner. He rules the town and its impoverished workers like a feudal lord. He has a younger sister, Rukmini (Saloni Aswani), whom he claims to adore, but he treats her like a possession. Raja Saab has a twisted desire to keep her unmarried and under his complete control. Koyla 1997 English Subtitles
Meanwhile, Shankar survives the fall. Near death, he is found by a kind elderly woman and her grandson. Though blind, Shankar’s other senses become superhumanly sharp. He trains his body, learning to fight, move, and survive using only sound and touch. He becomes a fierce, vengeful warrior without sight. Months pass. One day, Shankar hears Rukmini’s voice carried on the wind. Using his enhanced hearing, he tracks her to the abandoned house. When they meet, Rukmini is shocked and overjoyed—Shankar is alive, but blinded because of her. By chance, Rukmini sees this photograph
Rukmini, however, dreams of love and escape. She has seen a photograph of a handsome, gentle man in a magazine and fantasizes about meeting someone like him. A poor, honest, and strong-willed miner named Shankar (Shah Rukh Khan) works in Raja Saab’s mines. Shankar is kind-hearted but has a fiery temper when he witnesses injustice. One day, a photographer comes to town to take pictures of the miners. Shankar poses for a fun, carefree photo. Setting: A remote, rural mining town dominated by
Shankar is blinded permanently. Rukmini watches in horror, helpless. Raja Saab has Shankar thrown into a deep, abandoned coal mine pit to die. Rukmini is told he is dead. She is then locked away in a remote, dilapidated house on the edge of the mines, guarded by a loyal but scared old servant.