Baat Ban Jaaye 14.3.1986

Everyone knows the song 

Baat Ban Jaaye .. immortalised by Nazia Hassan and filmed on Zeenat Aman.

I am not sure if Many know about a film called

Baat Ban Jaaye with Zeenat Aman in the lead in a very different role.

The film completes 37 years today.

Directed by Bharat Rangachary first Assistant of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and the first production of Nitin Manmohan and one of the last films of Sanjeev Kumar ( released after he passed ).

The star of the movie is without doubt Utpal Dutt who carried his role from Hrishi Da's Gol Maal, Kisi Se Na Kehna , Naram Garam etc ahead.

I personally really enjoy this comedy and try not to miss it when it is telecast on Zee Classic Cinema.

Nisha Singh ( Zeenat Aman) is a single rich businesswoman running a family business. She detests or as is said Hates rich / wealthy men ( as they apparently love their success and wealth more than their family !?) and wants to marry a pauper or common man. Her uncle Mr Singh Chachaji (Utpal Dutt) plays match-maker, trying to find the perfect groom for his one and only niece.

He sees a prospective groom in every common man he meets.

One of the first match is a TV Mechanic Yashwant Bhonsle (Amol Palekar ar what he does best), to arrange meetings with Nisha he breaks the TV , and calls Yashwant for repairs. Yashwant is also a budding scientist and as providence would have it one of his inventions makes him a millionaire and so he is now ruled out for Nisha.

Second in line is a Hyderabad Tourist Guide Viju ( Raj Babbar)

During a historical visit he finds buried treasure and he too becomes rich..it's as if Nisha has the Midas touch.. everything she associates with turns gold.

Meanwhile Nisha is facing 

a strong competition from Khanna Group of Industries being run by a Ravi Khanna  who also wants to marry her. Now Nisha has a friend cum secretary Aruna who is engaged to Advocate Bharat Sinha ( Jalal Agha ) who is the legal advisor to the Khanna's . They too are silently trying to help Chachaji.

After Viju Guide Chachaji finds   a motor mechanic, Prakash, who, in turn, ends up being the only son of wealthy builder, Jayant Amar Nath ( Imtiaz Khan),and gets  married to his sweetheart and neighbor, Rosy( Nisha Singh). Finally Nisha meets her ideal match in Rukhtapur-based Suraj Singh ( Sanjeev Kumar), a wedding singer/dancer, and gets married to him being Impressed by his down to earth attitude and simplicity. she shifts with him to his village (?) but..

Who is Suraj ? Will Nisha find her match ? The end is obviously alls well  but not before making things more hilarious.

Don't hunt for logic.. just enjoy the madness.

No spoilers even for this 😀

The film has the HrishiDa touch and one can see that Bharat Rangachary was a good and loyal student.

I personally love the film.

All actors have performed to perfection. Yes Mithun Chakraborty gets the biggest sub plot and story but he was the star then.

Amil Palekar is his vintage self .

Raj Babbar is apt.

Aruna Irani and Jalal Agha are like the levers of the film.

Sanjeev Kumar shows why he would be missed so much.

But the film belongs to Zeenat Aman and Utpal Dutt.

Music is however nothing exceptional by Kalyanji Anandji.

See it if you haven't and if you have it's worth another view anytime.

On YouTube, Jio Cinema., Zee 5 and Amazon.

Nasir Hussain: Maverick of Musicals

21st Death Anniversary of Nasir Hussain

Nasir Hussain best known as a writer, director and then producer. That is the order in which he emerged as a film personality. His forte was writing and he developed a unique style of storytelling. He wrote and co-wrote a string of hits for Filmistan Studios, started his own banner Nasir Hussain films, Changed the persona of Dev Anand ( Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hain), developed the persona of Shammi Kapoor ( Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Dil Deke Dekho, Teesri Manzil) as the Rebel Star, provided the platform to composer Rahul Dev Burman for his first big banner hit, sustained his faith in lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri  ( an association which went on till almost 1986.)

However as a film maker in continuation as a writer he is known to have  had only one story to tell; He could not think beyond lost and found sagas; and the hero Heroine being engaged in childhood only to meet as adults. The maker whose films always had masquerading characters and revenge plots running through; the film-maker to whom cinema was all about song and dance, someone who loved mountains and balloons; and an ear for music.

In fact after Phir Wohi Dil Laaya Hoon it was joked that it should be Phir Wohi Story Laaya Hoon

However as as maverick he is known as the man who made Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Dil Deke Dekho, Jab Pyar Kiseese Hota Hai, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Caravan, Teesri Manzil, Yaadon Ki Baarat and Hum Kisi se Kum Nahin. But he also had Baharon Ke Sapne, Pyaar Ka Mausam too.

I don’t think Nasir Hussain’s cinema has been given the recognition it deserves. He is never spoken of in the same breath as Shakti Samanta, Pramod Chakraborty ,Subodh Mukerji, Manmohan Desai, Prakash Mehra, all of who used the same or similar tropes, as often and as unrealistically, if not more so. They were all contemporaries of, or just that bit junior to Nasir ji.

To give him his due 

Nasir Hussian was possibly the biggest mainstream filmmaker of the 1960s and 1970s. He knew the pulse of the audience for two decades and his cinema reflected a certain modernity and cosmopolitanism that hadn’t been seen in Hindi cinema before.

The slide started with Zamane Ko Dikhana Hain in 1981, a lavish film which didn't do well ( Ironically one of biggest hits of 1982 a year later Sanam Teri Kasam was a complete rehash of the Nasir Hussain formula and which gave R.D.Burman his first main stream award )

Manzil Manzil, Zabardast ( all delayed and recast films ) bombed and it seemed curtains.

But the new generation came in form of his son Mansoor Khan for whom he wrote Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Joh Jeeta Wohi Sikandar redeemed his status but alas without R.D. and his own direction.

He passed away on today's date in 2002

An era ended. But his Films and their Music Lives on..

Reference & Quotes: 

Akshay Manwani

Music, Masti, Modernity 

The Cinema of Nasir Hussain

Doosra Aadmi: A film far ahead of it's Times

DOOSRA AADMI

Doosra Aadmi explores love in its various facets – love, passion, infatuation before and after marriage and the desperate attempt to cling on to memories of love. 

It’s an elegantly simple plot. 

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh are college sweethearts who are so in love they can’t be apart. Their parents reluctantly agree to let them get married very very young.

They exude their passion for each other and very much in love.

Meanwhile, Raakhee is a beautiful older woman who has been living in self-imposed celibacy and seclusion since the tragic death of her boyfriend Shashi Kapoor. She is  hired by Rishi Kapoor and Raakhee is taken by his resemblance to Shashi ( Excellent casting scenario) and begins almost unconsciously gets attracted to him, Rishi is now seeing monotony with Neetu and intrigued by Raakhee, and Neetu is trapped in a one sided love and one sided marriage with Rishi.

Even more simply, Neetu wants Rishi, Rishi wants Raakhee, and Raakhee wants dead Shashi ( in the form of Rishi Kapoor). It’s 3 people trapped in one way love stories.

Neetu (Timsi) is to obsessed over her husband (Karan) and want to spend more time with him, Rishi’s is to look outward to new challenges and, eventually, a new woman ( Nisha) (Typically urbane male)

Raakhee is trapped too. After Shashi’s death, she isolated herself from the world. She killed her natural desires and need for human contact. Rishi breaks through that and it comes out in such a powerful flood that Raakhee is almost unaware of what she is doing. She is lost in a dreamworld, torn between believing Rishi to be Shashi, and believing that she is having a “harmless” fantasy that does no damage to this nice young married man ( which she is unaware of). Both of these things are of course not true.

Now there is a forth angle too..

Her friend and well-wisher Parikshit Sahni, who silently loves her too, warns her of the consequences of a relationship with a married man.

Nisha realizes her mistake and to get a grip on her life, she deliberately avoids Karan to create a distance between them which Karan is not able to endure. He is not aware that Nisha’s intimacy with him is purely on account of his resemblance with Shashi. Caught in this dilemma and on the verge of losing his wife, Karan loses his peace of mind. To make amends, Nisha brings the Karan and Timsi together and clears their misunderstanding.

For the discerning though, there is a hint in Majrooh’s words in the song, “Chal kahin door nikal jayen”. The song ends with Raakhee’s character singing, “Achcha hai sambhal jayen”.

Now coming to the music ..

Other Melodies by Rajesh Roshan are still fresh.

For this Yash Chopra production, music director Rajesh Roshan, in a departure from his image, came up with a score that was peppy, cheery and throbbed with life. Not replete with his trademark melodious compositions, this one was a teaser with Lata Mangeshkar letting herself go in songs like “Nazron se keh do pyar mein milne ka mausam aa gaya” and “Chal kahin door nikal jayen”. When a super hit song like “Ankhon mein…kaajal hai” is relegated to the third slot and “Aao manaye jashn-e-mohabbat” not even talked about, it says all that needs to be said about Roshan’s music. As indeed it does about Majrooh Sultanpuri,

Jaan Meri Rooth Gayi is another fun song.

Ramesh Talwar shows competence and to an extent justifies the faith Yash Chopra had reposed in him..

I think this movie was about forgiveness (of both self and others), or maybe temptation, or recognizing the flaws in one's sense of reality, but I'm not sure. 

I was not allowed to see it in 1977 but saw it in a rerun two years later.

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh chemistry is superb.

Rakhee is restrained and lives her role.

The film was far ahead of its times.

Ravi Tandon On His Birth Anniversary

TRIBUTE TO RAVI TANDON

 Film 1 : Khel Khel Main..1975 super-hit (which came out in the same year as Sholay, Deewar, Chupke Chupke, Aandhi and Dharmatma) held its own then and continues to brim with vivacity and freshness even after 47 years of its release..

College is the most cherished chapter of one's life. Yet to embrace worldly responsibility but free from the contained, protective atmosphere of school, carefree teenagers treat life like a grand adventure.

What happens when harmless fun takes an ugly turn and jeopardises everyone's future?

Director Ravi Tandon's Khel Khel Mein examines the hazards of excessive pranks in his wholesome, engrossing romance mystery starring Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Rakesh Roshan, Aruna Irani and Iftekhar (a must-have in this genre of Hindi films).

Neetu and Rishi -- one of our sweetest on/off-screen couples -- injected the screen with their spontaneous adoration and ebullience against Rahul Dev Burman's delightfully addictive tunes.What follows is a cat-and-mouse game, complete with an unidentified stalker and mysterious men who aren’t who they seem.

Yet, even in all this we see songs, dance and romance. It’s so nostalgic especially, because R.D. Burman’s tunes for this movie are great fun, and still on every ’70s hits playlist. Decades later, it was a song from this film that gave Rishi Kapoor the title of his memoir, Khullam Khulla. It was how he lived his life, no secrets, no-holds barred, brash, youthful and full of energy.

Owning the DVD of this classic is sheer nostalgia watching it whenever one feels.

Film 2 : Jhoota Kahin Ka ( 1979 )

The Khel Khel Main team come together 4 years later for Jhoota Kahin Ka.

The Rai family ( Om Shivpuri, Indrani Mukherjee, sons Ajay and Vijay) is on a ship back to India, The ship capsizes and they are seperated with Ajay remaining with Mom.

Wealthy Jagat Narayan Khanna rescues Rai, takes him home, ensures that he is treated well, and makes him a business partner. Years later, the Rai sons have grown up. Ajay ( Rishi Kapoor )is a motor mechanic working in Pinto's Garage, but has big dreams, and a dual life as a Casanova, who is a liar and a conman, who dreams of making it big with a wealthy woman named Sheetal Khanna( whose uncle is Rai ). Then there is Vijay, who is now known as Vikram ( Rakesh roshan ), who works for Sheetal Khanna, and hopes to marry her one-day, but has an affair with a gorgeous woman named Mala. Shortly thereafter, Mala is killed, and Vikram is being blackmailed by a man named Prem, who claims he saw Vikram kill her. When Vikram and Prem find out that Sheetal may marry Ajay, they get together and plot against him - and Ajay's lies, and a dual life, make it easy for them to frame him. What will happen when Ajay realizes that he has been romancing the actual Sheetal Khanna this whole time? Is a motor mechanic good enough for a rich girl? Will the Rai family ever be reunited? Or will Ajay and Vikram beat each other to a pulp first?

After many permutations and coincidental combinations the family is united.

The film maintains a comic touch throughout the movie and is very entertaining.

Rishi- Neetu chemistry is absolutely fabulous . Rakesh Roshan doesn't have a big role ( seems he was included for Khel Khel Main continuity but Aruna Irani is missing ( Preeti Ganguly takes her place who plays Sheetal’s best friend and is lively and funny as usual.)

Music by R.D.Burman is blockbuster stuff. All songs are fabulous.

These films were made with Ravi Tandon at his peak.

But he had started off with a suspense thriller Anhonee..

Anhonee.1973

Direction Debut of Ravi Tandon who was Producer too.

The Story Revolves Around Sunil (Sanjeev Kumar) & Rekha ( Leena Chandrawar )...Sunil Who Is A Mental Patient & Rekha Is A Doctor... How They Meet ..How They Fall In Love ...Get Engaged ...And Then Both Have Few Secrets Which Becomes The Suspense Drama Of The Movie...There Are Many Twists & Turns Which Will Keep You Surprising ...A Outstanding Mystery Thriller..

The music by LP is melodious and situational.

Bindu does well with the song Hangama Gaya.

Asrani is hilarious as a mental patient.

Kamini Kaushal is a surprise.

Manmohan is in a positive role.

I won't comment on the Suspense.

But is definitely worth a watch even today after 49 years.

One of the first of Sanjeev Kumar and Leena Chandrawar ( followed by Manchali, Apne Rang Hazaar and Imaan ).

33.Years of Agnipath

16th February 1990

AGNEEPATH

31 YEARS.

Mukul. S. Anand’s Agneepath is iconic both in terms of content and success. It is one of those films which not only redefined Indian cinema but also added a new dimension to its protagonist Amitabh Bachchan persona. With this film he took his angry young man image another step forward. Who could possibly forget that high pitched voice that resounded through cinemas? How could one forget that somewhat twisted posture that came to identify him with the masses and above all how could one forget that simmering drama between him and his mother who loved her son just as much as she detested his ways of getting back at the world.

The film portrays Amitabh Bachchan as Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, the son of an idealistic teacher, Dinanath Chauhan who sets his eyes on changing the life and times of the village of Mandwa. Dinanath not only wants to see the village of Mandwa grow but also tries to bring the light of education in the lives of the villagers. In walks Kancha Cheena (Danny) the marauding businessman who wants to use Mandwa as an epical point for the creation and distribution of his hallucinogens. The master stands as the biggest challenge in his path and so he schemes against him with the help of the local landlord and gets name tarnished and him wacked from the village.

Vijay, his sister and his mother are left all alone in the big bad world. Vijay, who is burning up inside, wants to get his revenge on Cheena and the others but before that he must set foot into the world of crime and smuggling. He does so in style and grows up through the ranks until the day when he axes all competition to emerge as the king of Bombay. He soon makes way to Mauritius to forge a partnership with Cheena who plots to kill him but Vijay emerges successful and is able to forge the partnership. He comes back to take control of Mandwa and soon his crosses path with Kancha who now comes down to India for a final showdown with his adversary for life.

In the midst of all this he is able to find a true friend in Krishnan Iyer MA(Mithun Chakravarti), an educated youth who is forced to selling coconuts to make ends meet. He meets Krishnan during an encounter when a gang of people are all set to kill him but Krishnan saves his life. He also finds the love of his life in a nurse who treats him at the hospital and whom he marries subsequently. Throughout the course of the film his relationship with his mother is a constant source of self criticism as well as self evaluation for him. After every encounter with his mother he either is left to rue the wounds that she forces on him or made to change his path of propagation.

Agneepath can easily be considered as the Indian equivalent of Scarface. While the story takes certain points from the classic the treatment and the screenplay is completely different. The most astute addition that the film contributed to Indian cinema was the iconic character of Vijay. The way it depicts Amitabh Bachchan, his mannerism, his way of speaking and also the action have acquired cult status. The Gangster films from thereon sort of took Agneepath as a parameter and template on which they pictured their protagonists until that was reworked by a film called Satya. For generations, Agneepath remained a benchmark for films of this genre in India.

At 187 minutes, Agneepath is in no way a short film but the amount of material that its screenplay holds is enough to keep the audience interested all the way through. This is one film which is brimming with characters and situations with its protagonist at the center of all things. There are no less than six major negative characters who get dispatched before the film ends. Four of these baddies get a lucrative chance to shoot and kill Vijay but even after putting in four bullets he survives. Later he hands these bullets back to the people as he sends them back to hell.

The film has two romantic tracks, one involving Mithun and Neelam who plays Vijay’s sister and another involving Vijay and his nurse played by Madhvi. While the Mithun Neelam track is  un-poetic, the one involving Bachchan and Madhvi has its share of tender and affective moments. The discussions between Vijay and his nurse are a way for the audience to look at his vulnerable side which at times is great. This part also gives Vijay something to lose apart from his mother and sister. In key scene he is shown insulted in a restaurant in front of his love when people are unable to fathom his presence at the dinner table banishing him as a goon and anti social element.

Amitabh Bachchan turns in one of those performances in which he is more the character and lesser himself. His blood red eyes, twisted posture and heavy voice coupled with a Mumbaiya lingo completes his transformation into the character and people loved him for that. This got him the National Award for that year.

 Rohini Hatangadi as his mother is a revelation. Danny plays Kancha with ferocity. He appears as someone who you feel afraid of. He works as the perfect adversary to Bachchan’s larger than life Vijay. Neelam and Madhavi do their part. Mithun I felt was a tad bit too loud even though his character demanded that. Tinnu Anand as Nathu Kaka and Vikram Gokhale as Police Commissioner Gaitonde add weight to this movie. Both have given too class performances.

Agneepath is a cult classic which has been watched and re-watched across three decades now over and over again. It is one of those films which defined the Indian film industry over the years. 

The Title was taken from a poem of the same name called ''Agneepath'' which was penned by

Harivansh Rai Bachchan ji.

Karan Johar released a Trailer of the movie last year

https://youtu.be/hMt_VO6edRs

The film was released in two versions

One with the original hoarse voice ( which sounds a lot like Tinnuji) but suits the Charecter. But as the feedback came that public did not like the hoarse voice so it was dubbed again in his normal Voice.

For me the Original modulation of voice is the best.

तू न थकेगा कभी,

तू न रुकेगा कभी,

तू न मुड़ेगा कभी,

कर शपथ, कर शपथ, कर शपथ,

अग्निपथ अग्निपथ अग्निपथ।

Bandhe Haath: A gilmpse of the Angry Young Man to be.

I recommended Bandhe Haath is a rare Amitabh film worth seeing.

This Movie Bandhe Haath is actually Amitabh Bachchan's first Double Role.

Shyamu (Amitabh Bachchan) is a thief who decides to go straight after the death of his mentor (Madan Puri). He comes across an ailing Deepak (again Amitabh Bachchan), a poet whom everyone respects. After Deepak dies, Shyamu assumes his identity and tells the police that Shyamu has taken refuge in his house and has now passed away. But a police inspector (Ajit) has his suspicions. So does Rajni (Kumud Chuggani), a girl Deepak liked. Meanwhile, Mala (Mumtaz), who works in a dance troupe falls for Deepak. Shyamu now has to behave like Deepak in front of the police, Rajni and Mala if he doesn’t want to spend his life in jail. 

Shyamu’s first act as "Deepak" is to pack bags and move to Bombay and the theatre where Mala works. He even takes the precaution of burning all specimens of Deepak’s hand-writing, replacing all manuscripts with his own hand-written copies. So now Shyamu is all set to take the world (and Mala) by storm. To his great good fortune, he runs into Mala the moment he steps out of the train. She’s come to receive her cousin Kavita (Tun Tun) with her Mom, and invites Shyamu to stay the night at their house. Shyamu happily agrees, and quickly declares his love to Mala’s portrait that helpfully adorns the walls of the guest bedroom (for the convenience of all love-sick guests?). Mala hears his declaration and makes it clear that she thoroughly approves of his sentiments.

So now Shyamu has a place in honest society and the love of a good woman. You’d think that he’s all set for a good life. You’d be wrong! Inspector Kumar sees him on a visit to the theatre, and is instantly suspicious. But the worse is yet to come! One of Deepak’s fans - Rajni (Kumud Chugani), turns up, out of the blue. She had never met Deepak, but the two had carried out a romantic correspondence and she has every expectation of claiming Deepak’s romantic attentions. She is furious to see "Deepak" getting up-close and personal with Mala, and throws a scene. Once she mentions Deepak’s letters, Shyamu immediately hurries out with her, leaving Mala convinced that she is being taken for a ride by a womaniser!

Shyamu spends some time with Rajni, trying to find out how much of a threat she poses to his new-found identity. Once he realises that she has letters written to her by the real Deepak, he knows he must get to them before they can reveal his imposture. So he plays along with Rajni’s romantic wishes, trying to keep Mala’s suspicions at bay and staying one step ahead of Inspector Kumar’s investigations. But that isn’t the sum of his troubles. Rajni was betrothed to her father’s friend’s son Ranjeet (Ranjeet) who swears that he will fix this or any Deepak who comes between him and Rajni’s wealth. Shyamu does seem to have more than his fair share of perils. 

Whether he’s able to fool everybody forms the crux of the film.

The film has the potential to be a good thriller but it squanders it in favour of giving us a morality lesson about good vs bad! 

Amitabh Bachchan in a Double Role is intense and competent as always.

This film has a unique moment

where Amitabhs voice has been dubbed by a person with a different voice. The scene in question is when Amitabh meets a dieing look alike in the film.  For the dieing character his voice the director chose a dubbing artiste to lend authenticity.

The film was made by O.P.Ralhan and Directed by O.P Goyle and Mumtaz was the bigger star she does her part well. (It is rumoured that distributor G.P.Sippy wanted Amitabh to be replaced by Dharmendra or Naveen Nishcol, both being busy even Sanjay Khan was asked to be considered but till then Bombay to Goa worked and Amitabh Bachchan was cemented ) but O.P Ralhan also didn't risk directing it himself.

Other actors like Ajit , O.P.Ralhan, Ranjit, Kumud and Madan Puri do their part well.

R.D.Burman has composed 5 songs of which the title song is the classic..

Dekho Yeh Mere Bandhe Hath (Kya Jaano Main Hoon Kaun)

Lata Mangeshkar has three songs and Dil lai Gawa has Asha Bhonsle with R.D , Mannadey and Mahendra Kapoor. The music focus was obviously on Mumtaz.

When the film released after being censored on 15th January ( Second week of Feb 73), as predicted, it flopped badly, though after the release of Zanjeer, it picked up slowly in some places. It was re-released later and did better business.

Ironically Amitabh Bachchan and Ajit were on the opposite sides of the table in both . Ajit being the cop in Bandhe Haath and Amitabh as Inspector Vijay of Zanjeer.

Not a Classic Amitabh Film but can be seen for the early shades of the emerging Angry Young Star ( Zanjeer followed in May and changed the scenario).

Trivia : Remake of Shammi Kapoors Mujrim directed by O.P.Ralhan

Joshilaay: A chance gone begging

10th February a movie released which I had wanted to write about.

JOSHILAY

Some may be flummoxed as to why ..but do read on

The film was launched in 1983 with Vijay Anand directing the mahurat shot and giving the clap being uncle of the director Shekhar Kapoor who was on a high after Masoom.

It was delayed by 6 years before seeing the light of the day in 1989

Story Line :

Gang lord Jogi Thakur (Rajesh Kapoor) learns that a police station is about to open in a village he terrorises. He blames a doctor (Alok Nath) and kills him and his wife. Only the son survives the massacre. Soon after, Jogi Thakur becomes a victim himself: his aide

Raja Singh (Kulbhushan Kharbanda) hands him over to the police. 20 years later, Raja has become a rich man and Jogi Thakur breaks out of prison to take revenge. There is a hefty bounty on his head for his capture. Two young men Dara (Sunny Deol) and Karan (Anil Kapoor) are also interested in him. And not only because of that - because both have a fate in the past that has to do with Yogi Thakur and Raja Singh..

Dara wants Jogi thakur alive and Karan wants him dead.

Now Shekhar Kapoor left the film at its climax as he wanted to reshoot it ( Mr.India had hit the jackpot till then). The producer Sibte Hassan Rizvi finished the film.

The script was written (again after a delay) by Javed Akhtar.

Because Javed Akhtar is the scriptwriter( Story, screenplay and dialogue), there are two heroes and the western setting is based on revenge and gangsterism, quite a few critics have compared "Joshilaay" to Sholay . This work, written 15 years after the great classic, clearly draws the short straw. But a comparison with Sholay isn't particularly clever anyway - because the parallels are exhausted just as quickly as they are found. Rather, the makers take inspiration from a range of westerns, particularly spaghetti westerns, and less specifically, one movie. If so, then not with Sholay

but in the work of Sergio Leone, which is evident in the opening scene with Alok Nath as well as in the final standoff, the Morricone-tinged music and the inclusion of the rattle, which is reminiscent of the harmonica in "Play me the song of death".

This is the best thing about "Joshilaay": The dusty western look, the musty clothes and dry plains on which the heroes and villains proudly ride .(Something associated with Feroz Khan.)

Add to that the sound of RD Burman and you have a Bollywood western.

The song Joshilay ye Shehzaade hain zameen ke is the last song Kishore Kumar recorded for R.D

Burman. 

Other songs include Na Ja JaaneJann Na Jaa ( R.D and Asha), Dhak Dhak jiya Kare ( Asha and Usha).

The music and the background score is absolutely superb.

Of the Lead actors Anil Kapoor was the brooding laconic while Sunny Deol had the flamboyant role full of energy (another similarity with the character's  Jai Veeru of Sholay).

The Villan Jogi Thakur was a formidable villain and was tried to be portrayed like Gabbar but he had more Lunacy which was the big difference.

Sridevi and Meenakshi Sheshadri play the female leads, but don't have much to do in this capacity: the film belongs to the men. Last but not least, the Kulbhushan Kharbanda is convincing as a sleazy schemer who tries use Dara and Karan to suit his interest against Jogi Thakur. ( Major difference from Sholay). Satish Kaushik is commendable in his humour.

Why I wanted to review this film as it had the potential to be a great film but the long time I. Making followed by the Many changes in technical crew.. Cinematographer was changed .(Pravin Bhatt to Dilip Mukherjee).

Joshilaay was overshot and went over budget, the materials used for the shooting of this film was enough for making two films. The original editor of this film Renu Saluja found difficult to edit the film. Then I.M.Kunnu edited the film when the producer took over to complete the film.

These affected the continuity and what could have been an entertaining wild western turned out to be Soda without Fizz.

Anil Kapoor Sunny Deol who has given individual hits with Javed Akhtar  Meri Jung and Arjun) could not lift this film and also had two other flops in Ram Avatar ( remake of Sangam) and Inteqam. 

I personally like the film and wonder how a full Shekhar Kapoor directed Joshilay would have been.

A great opportunity gone amiss.