Shabana played a double role. That of Sanjeev Kumar's wife and then his daughter. Her real life boy friend Benjamin Gilani was cast in the romantic lead opposite her role of Sanjeev's daughter. In the second half of the movie Shabana aged to play mother to a teenage Sarika. She thus had ample scope to show her versatility and that too in a commercial film.
Shashi Kapoor had seen a 20 year old Anil Kapoor perform on stage in 1977 and was very impressed with his acting talent. He recommended him to N. N Sippy when they were casting for Devta. Anil Kapoor arrived at the studio and met N.N.Sippy. For some unknown reason, Sippy rejected Anil for the role of Sarika's love interest. Rakesh Roshan was signed instead.
An emotional scene between Sanjeev Kumar and Shreeram Lagoo was shot for a while day.But the scene in the film was for just 2-3 minutes.While doing this scene Shreeram Lagoo was made to use lot of glycerin which had swollen his eyes.
Shatrughan Sinha was offered the film, but it was for the police officer's role. Shatrughan kept insisting he play Sanjeev Kumar's role. Finally Danny Denzongpa was signed for the police officers role.
Loosely inspired by "Les Misérables."