JAWAAN (2023) : review

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And finally the much hyped, much awaited Jawaan saw light of the day ! Big stars, big budget( humongous budget actually), big music composer, everything super large. But does it meet the expectations of the average viewer? No it goes not. Read on.  A decorated jawan locks horns with a criminal called Kaali, this is in 1986 ( the year movies like Aakhri Raasta released, just for reference). Kaali gets him eliminated and send the pregnant wife to jail. The baby born in jail grows up to become the hero (look alike of the father) and decides to avenge the misdeeds done to his innocent patriotic parents. Well, isn’t it a masaaledaar full on Bollywood- Tollywood drama subject ?  And then the director Atlee also borrows ideas and references from various retro movies, some idea from Sholay (1975) as the hero assembled a gang of jailed Qaidis in order to form a team to nab the villain, then there’s an entire episode borrowed from Dhartiputra (1993), and the basic theme is copy pasted from Kaml
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GOLDIE’s GOLDEN FIVE

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Like me there are a host of others who are die hard fans of the golden boy of golden era, Goldie aka Vijay Anand. While we grew up watching him play the curious detective Sam Dsilva in the tv series Tehkikaat(1995), he was better known for directing some timeless classics in the retro era of Bollywood when at its classiest best. As a filmmaker he was ahead of his times, progressive, innovative and far sighted. The sensitivity with which he dealt his subjects was evident on screen. Also his keen ear for good music can still be heard from the classic songs from the below five albums. He also made his heroes look as beautiful as his heroines. Revisiting five of his best movies which are my favourites forever. 

GUIDE(1965): based on R K Narayan’s classic novel by the same name, this is by far one of the most authentic and beautiful adaptations of a novel, Goldie’s charismatic hold over the complex characters is enviable. The mystical relationship between a neglected wife and a wandering guide blooms into a soul stirring journey and metamorphoses into the Guide’s self discovery into spirituality. Goldie’s direction was flawless coupled with melodious music by S D Burman and sensitive performances by Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman. 


TEESRI MANZIL (1966): Goldie at his mysterious best! Full of energy, youthful foot tapping score by a young R.D. Burman with his first breakthrough album and a fast paced racy script. A certified entertainer on hands, a suspense thriller about a chilling murder and a host of red herrings, a super vibrant Shammi Kapoor along with the bubbly and chirpy Asha Parekh formed the perfect love hate couple in this thriller. Goldie’s magnetic expertise on crime thriller was proven here. 


JEWEL THIEF(1967): Goldie was back with another crime thriller this time with debonair Dev Anand who is mistaken to be the most wanted ‘Jewel thief’. Totally high on style and generous substance the music by SD Burman was a chartbuster. Vyjayanthimala and Ashok Kumar added grace and intrigue with their multi faceted characters while Dev the charmer was surrounded by ‘Bond girls’ Tanuja, Faryal, Helen and Anju Mahendru all of them adding testosterone fuelling sex appeal. An unexpected surprise element in the climax was the icing on the cake. 


JOHNNY MERA NAAM(1970): this was perhaps the biggest box office success of Goldie’s career. It turned out to be the highest grosser of the year, Goldie added comedy, romance, mystery, family drama, action and evergreen music (Kalyanji Anandji). Dev was yet again at his charming best with the vicious Premnath and an ever reliable Pran for able support, also noteworthy was I S Johar in a triple comic role. Hema Malini was a revelation excelling In Indian classical dance and lighting up the screen with her gorgeous beauty. 



TERE MERE SAPNE (1971): well, this was a box office flop but it’s my favourite Goldie movie. Maybe the audience expected another fast paced thriller and got a sensitive tale of a doomed doctor who gets entwined into a web of money, fame and greed. Based on the lovely novella ‘Citadel’ this is Goldie’s most sincere and earnest effort with no compromise for the box office. Dev delivered a brilliant performance at par with his Guide(1965), and Mumtaz was excellent as the wife. Music by S.D. Burman was soothing to the ears. A mature, emotional and poignant story that didn’t cut ice with the viewers. 


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