Ajooba is a 1990 superhero film, produced and directed by Shashi Kapoor and co-directed by Soviet filmmaker Gennadi Vasilyev. An Indian-Soviet 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, Черный принц Аджуба (Black Prince Ajuba), in 1990, before its Indian release in 1991. The film starred Amitabh Bachchan as the titular superhero Ajooba, along with Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Sonam, Shammi Kapoor, Dara Singh, Saeed Jaffery and Amrish Puri in pivotal roles. Made on a budget of 80 million it was the most expensive film of its time.

Plot

The Afghan kingdom of Baharistan is ruled by a kind Sultan (Shammi Kapoor). All is well in the land, except that Sultan seemingly can't have any child. An evil devil-worshipping Vazir (Amrish Puri) seeks to usurp the throne, reviving his "Fauladi Shaitan" (a huge demon-like figure made of stone) and take over the world. Vazir instructs his maids to strangle every child born to 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 Shehzada (Prince) eventually becomes Ajooba (Miracle).