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 ...

Flashback# The Bad Girls of Retro Bollywood




Stranger than fiction, the so called bad babes of vintage Bollywood would appear piously sweet and simple as compared to today’s item girls. Considering leading ladies themselves perform item songs one can’t expect specialised dancers in the golden girl of cabaret category today. Here’s a revisit to seven wonders of Bollywood who danced their way into viewer’s Heart. 




Helen 
You think of Bollywood cabaret and the name that flashes instantly is the irreplaceable Helen Richardson, a Burmese refugee who ruled the dance numbers in Bollywood for three decades. Her famous songs include “Chin Chin Choo” “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja” “Mungda” “Aaj Ki Raat” “Mehbooba” and so many more. Undoubtedly the most successful golden girl of Bollywood. 




Bindu 
Popular for her stereotyped vampish roles she’s had a long innings in Bollywood playing roles ranging from a cabaret dancer to the evil mother-in-law. In the 70s she stole hearts with her sensational cabarets like “Mera Naam Hai Shabnam” “Hungama Ho Gaya” “Diljalon Ka Dil Jalaake” and others. Her seductive nymphomaniac act in “Apne Dil Mein Jagah Dijeeye” aroused many a cinegoers in that era. 




Jayshree T 
Though petite in frame she didn’t lag behind in the oomph factor generated by her sensational items like “Surmayee Andhera Hai” “Naach Meri Jaan” “Sultana Sultana” etc. Besides playing supporting roles she aced in her cabaret acts in many movies in 70s and 80s. She also had her “Jayshree T Nights” dance performances during New Year’s Eve in the 80s. 




Aruna Irani 
One of the most versatile character actors of all times. Like a chameleon she could adapt to any role and add her own colours to the varied dimensions of the characters. Dancing was her selling point and she performed hit songs like “Kaliyon Ka Chaman” “Dilbar Dil Se” “Chadti Jawani Meri” “Meri Berry Ke Ber” “Kya Ghazab karte Ho” and many more. 




Padma Khanna 
Remember the controversial strip tease performance in “Husn Ke Lakhon Rang”, along with villain Premnath the audience were also floored by Padma Khanna’s daring act. She further seduced the viewers  with “Chunari Sambhal Gori” “Sajana Hai Mujhe” and other songs. Her sexy smile added that extra seducing factor. 




Laxmi Chhaya 
This buxom Gujarati belle danced like there was no tomorrow. From mujra to cabaret she could perform any dance form with equal ease. Her popular songs include “Jaan Pehchan Ho” “Maar Diya Jaaye” “Haye Sharmaoon” “Aaya Aaya Atariya” and others. Her super energetic dance items were crowd pullers in the 60s and early 70s. 




Kalpana Iyer 
Tall, dusky and irresistibly attractive, this leggy South Indian damsel wooed audience with her full on disco cabarets in the 80s. Her top chartbusters include “Hari Om Hari” “Rambha Ho Ho” “Saare Yahan Nache Nache” and many more. The Kalpana-Bappi Lahiri-Usha Uthup magic spelt magic in many 80s thrillers. 

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