 |
| (Image: © NDFC) |
Film – Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983)
Duration – 2h 13m
Director – Kundan Shah
Cast – Naseerudin Shah, Ravi Baswani, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapoor, Satish Kaushik, Satish Shah, Neena Gupta and Bhakti Bharve
Rating – 4.5 / 5
The film, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, which still remains one of the finest ever by Bollywood was brought to us by Kundan Shah around three and a half decades ago. An intended crime drama film came out to be one of the funniest satires in the history of Bollywood! With brilliant direction and smart writing, the film tries to act as a mirror to the society while questioning it’s moral and ethical codes. The film displays how the very concept of good and evil or honest and corrupt has faded over a period of time and how the society as a whole has stooped so low as every person is just rushing to fulfill his/her own selfish goals.
 |
| Hum Honge Kamiyaab Ek Din (Image: © NDFC) |
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro showcases the story of two honest individuals caught in the world of the powerful and corrupt and their struggle to do the right thing with their faith in the system constantly diminishing throughout the course of the film. The film features a very impressive cast ensemble with the likes of Naseerudin Shah, Ravi Baswani, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapoor, Satish Kaushik, Satish Shah, Neena Gupta and Bhakti Bharve in major roles. Naseeruddin Shah’s Vinod and Ravi Bhaswani’s Sudhir are the protagonists of the film and both Shah and Bhaswani impressed the viewers with their respective performances so much so that Bhaswani went on to win a Filmfare award for the same. Om Puri, Pankaj Kapoor, Bhakti Bharve and Satish Shah delivered powerful performances as well making the most out of whatever script they were given.
 |
| (Image: © NDFC) |
Even after multiple views, the magic of this film never fades away and it always leaves the viewers rooting for more. What makes this film so magical is the fact that every character has a unique part to play and all the characters are very different from each other. Some hilarious, some serious; some honest, some corrupt; some straightforward, some complicated; and some alive while some dead (spoiler alert)! The film becomes a laughter riot when all these characters finally come together towards the end of the film, especially the entire Mahabharata stage act sequence!
 |
| (Image: © NDFC) |
Talking about the technicalities of the film, it is no technical masterpiece but considering how low-key the budget of the film was, it contains some brilliantly executed shots, appropriate lighting and colors, fine editing and a subtle background score which isn’t noticeable but supports the film aptly.
 |
| (Image: © NDFC) |
The film’s driving force is its intelligent plot and a highly realistic story line especially the ending. It isn’t your clichè drama film where everything works out the way it is supposed to / expected to in the end. In fact the final shot of the film makes a very strong and compelling point and leaves the viewers with a feeling of helplessness, doubt and self examination. The film has a lot to say in a limited duration of time and though comedy may be its official genre but true essence of this film lies in the message it tries to deliver and its honest portrayal of the society. All these factors make this film a must watch for all cinema lovers and the message delivered in the film needs to be thought upon and discussed!
