Starcast: Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Nirupa Roy, Parveen Babi, Neetu Singh and Iftekhar Direction: Yash Chopra Music: R.D. Burm...
Starcast: Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Nirupa Roy, Parveen Babi, Neetu Singh and Iftekhar
Direction: Yash Chopra
Music: R.D. Burman
Deewaar, meaning “The Wall”, is an Indian crime drama film written by Salim–Javed, the iconic writing duo. Released in January 1975, this cult classic tells a powerful story of two siblings, Vijay and Ravi, and their struggles against the backdrop of a decaying and unforgiving society.
Storyline: The film’s narrative is loosely based on the cult Dilip Kumar Film Ganga Jumna but with an urban 1970s setting. It tells the story of two brothers, Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan) and Ravi (Shashi Kapoor) who grow up among extreme hardships after their father, a trade union leader, is framed for bribery. Vijay, the elder brother, takes on a life of crime to support his family, while Ravi becomes an honest police officer. Their paths cross when Ravi is assigned to arrest Vijay, leading to a dramatic confrontation ending with a redemptive climax.
Direction and Other Technical Departments: Yash Chopra’s direction is masterful, as he does full justice to a perfect screenplay by Salim-Javed by handling a complex narrative that delves deeper into themes of Family, Morality, and Loyalty. The film’s pacing is well-balanced, with a mix of action, drama, and emotional moments that keep the viewers engaged.
The cinematography by Kay Gee is excellent, capturing the gritty realism
of the story. The editing by Pran Mehra and T R Mangeshkar is crisp with a
narrative that flows smoothly.
Performances: The performances in Deewaar are outstanding, with Amitabh Bachchan delivering a career-defining performance as Vijay. His portrayal of a complex, brooding character is nuanced and compelling earning him widespread accolades and critical acclaim.
Shashi Kapoor is equally impressive as Ravi, portraying his character’s
integrity and inner conflict with conviction. Neetu Singh and Parveen Babi in
an “ ahead of the times” role lend adequate support. Nirupa Roy is memorable as
the mother, torn between her two sons. Satyen Kappu, Sudhir, Madan Puri, and
Iftekhar deliver solid performances.
Music : Music by R.D. Burman is memorable and evocative. Both the Asha Kishore duet Maine Tujhe Manga and Kehdoon Tumhein take the cake along with the iconic background music which has now attained cult status and the lilting refrain I am Falling In Love is no less.
Legacy: Deewaar’s influence on Indian cinema cannot be overstated. The film’s success paved the way for a new wave of Bollywood films’ themes of crime, corruption, and social justice. More importantly, it cemented the position of the “anti-hero”, the “angry young man” in the tapestry of Indian film’s narrative. The film’s iconic dialogues and memorable characters have become an integral part of Indian popular culture.
It can be firmly said that Deewaar remains a timeless classic, resonating with audiences even today.
- Ayushmaan Mitra
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