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 ...
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REWIND TO DOORDARSHAN - part 1

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So the unavoidable lockdown makes you yawn in despair? And you have had an overdose of espionage spy thrillers and crime dramas on the ott platform ? Then revisit some good old feel- good slice of life television series from Doordarshan days which are available on YouTube and some other steaming platforms. What you’ll invariably and unmistakably find these retro serials is the simplicity of the characters that’s awfully missing today! 



Kachchi Dhoop(1987) 

Directed by actor Amol Palekar this desi ‘little women’ featured future one film wonder Bhagyashree in a pivotal role along with Ashutosh Govarikar and Palekar himself. Sweet, sugary and simple it’s the perfect remedy for a bored viewer! The characters are simple and relatable, they speak in a sing a song manner and make you fall in love with their on screen trials and tribulations. 



Idhar Udhar (1985) 

If you are an sitcom fan then this show is unmissable! Starring the talented Pathak sisters playing roomies along with Ravi Basawani this is a complete laugh riot. And mind you, there’s not even a hint of vulgarity or cheapness in those jokes. Cameos by Deepak Tijori, Tom Alter and Guddi Maruti are a bonus. 



Malgudi Days(1987) 

Unsure if there’s any 80’s kid who didn’t grow up relishing these delectable slice of life series. Swami and his friends managed to delight every viewer with their innocent childish banter and comical antics. Manjunath, Anant Nag, Girish Karnad and many other talents added supreme finesse to these series. Relive your childhood with these beautifully scripted Malgudi days. 



Wagle Ki Duniya(1988) 

Excellent portrayal of the standard middle class family trials of the 80’s! Wagle and his modest world is exactly what yog need to watch to fight the lockdown blues. Anjan Shrivastava’s realistic and comical portrayal of Wagle supported so well by Bharti Achrekar as the wife, they manage to floor you with their subtle and underplayed comic characters. Shahrukh Khan, Sulabha Arya and others appear in lovely cameos. 



Kashish (1991) 

Aha! If slice of life had a picture to depict then this is it. A bittersweet love story between an eccentric filmmaker and an aspiring actress. The simplicity of the lead pair and their sensitive and poignant romance exudes fragrance of serenity. Sudesh Berry and Malvika Tiwari looked like a dream pair. And 80s sex symbol Kalpana Iyer transformed into a mommy with this serial. 

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