Starcast: Nutan, Jackie Shroff, Tina Munim, Anil Kapoor, Praveen Kumar, Arun Govil, Tej Sapru, Deven Verma, Pran, and Danny Denzongpa. In sp...
Starcast: Nutan, Jackie Shroff, Tina Munim, Anil Kapoor, Praveen Kumar, Arun Govil, Tej Sapru, Deven Verma, Pran, and Danny Denzongpa. In special appearance Shatrughan Sinha and Hema Malini
Direction: Rajiv Rai
Music: Kalyanji Anandji
"Yudh" (War),
is an action-packed thriller that marked the directorial debut of Rajiv Rai,
produced by Gulshan Rai under Trimurti Films Pvt. Ltd. This multi-starrer
boasts a stellar cast including Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor (in dual roles),
Tina Munim, Nutan, Pran, Danny Denzongpa, Shatrughan Sinha, and Hema Malini.
Released on May 3, 1985, during the peak of Bollywood’s masala film era,
"Yudh" combines high-octane action, family drama, and crime intrigue,
delivering a quintessential 1980s cinematic experience. Notably, the role of
Inspector Vikram 'Vicky,' played by Jackie Shroff, was originally intended for
Sanjay Dutt, who was replaced due to his struggles with drug addiction during
the early years of his career, leading to a delay in the project’s completion.
Storyline
The narrative of
"Yudh" revolves around Savitri (Nutan), whose twin sons are kidnapped
by the notorious criminal Gama Mateen, alias Chinoy (Danny Denzongpa). In a
tragic turn, Inspector Bhargav (Arun Govil) dies attempting to rescue the
twins, leaving Savitri to adopt Bhargav’s son, Vikram (Jackie Shroff). Years
later, Vikram grows up to become a police inspector, unaware that his adoptive
mother’s missing sons have become Public Prosecutor Avinash and the criminal
sharpshooter Junior (both played by Anil Kapoor). The plot thickens as Vikram
investigates Chinoy, not knowing he is Gama Mateen, who now manipulates Junior
to kill Savitri and frame Avinash, setting the stage for a dramatic
confrontation.
The storyline, penned by
K.A. Narayan along with Rajiv Rai himself, is a classic Bollywood potboiler,
blending themes of family separation, mistaken identities, and good versus
evil. The dual roles of Anil Kapoor add intrigue, keeping viewers guessing
about Junior’s true identity until later in the film. However, plot holes, such
as the underutilization of Shatrughan Sinha’s character and abrupt song
sequences (e.g., Hema Malini’s performance in Danny’s den), disrupt the
narrative flow, making it feel stretched at 2 hours and 35 minutes.
Direction and Other
Technical Departments
Rajiv Rai’s direction
showcases his flair for commercial cinema, a precursor to his later hits like
Tridev (1989) and Mohra (1994). His ability to maintain a fast pace and weave
suspense keeps the audience engaged, despite the predictable climax. Rai’s use
of disguises for Jackie Shroff’s character and the mystery surrounding Anil
Kapoor’s dual roles are handled deftly, though the film lacks innovation in its
police-mafia conflict. The action sequences, including Praveen Kumar’s fight as
Xaca, are a highlight, capturing the raw energy of 1980s Bollywood stunts.
Cinematography is cool,
but unremarkable compared to Rajiv Rai’s later films. Editing could have been
tighter to reduce the film’s runtime and eliminate pacing issues. The
production design, particularly Gama Mateen’s lair, adds a typical 80's charm,
though minor mistakes like the misspelling of “Trespassers” as “Tresspassers”
on a sign reflect a lack of attention to detail. Dialogue by Naeem Sha stands
out, especially for creating the iconic phrase “Jhakaas,” which became
synonymous with Anil Kapoor’s persona.
Music
The soundtrack, composed
by Kalyanji-Anandji with lyrics by Anand Bakshi, is a significant draw of
"Yudh." Songs like “Danke pe chot padi hai” are energetic and
memorable, fitting the film’s action-driven tone. "Kya hua kya nahi"
was an extremely popular duet that time, " Doston tum sabko", was
embellished with some amazing orchestration and "Zindagi ae zindagi"
sung by Kishore Kumar rightly brought out the turmoil in Vicky's heart. While
the music was funky, melodious and popular at the time, it occasionally
detracts from the film’s pacing.
Performances
The ensemble cast
delivers a range of performances, with Anil Kapoor stealing the show. His dual
roles as the upright Avinash and the flamboyant Junior are distinct and
captivating, with the latter’s “Jhakaas” catchphrase becoming a cultural
phenomenon. Kapoor’s ability to balance intensity and charisma makes him the
film’s standout, carrying much of its emotional and comedic weight.
Jackie Shroff, as
Inspector Vikram, delivers a competent performance, embodying the honest cop
archetype he often played during this period (Andar Baahar, 1984, Ram Lakhan
1989). He looks extremely stylish in leather jackets and suits. However,
despite having the meatier role he was somewhat overshadowed by Kapoor’s
dynamism. Danny Denzongpa shines in his clichéd villain role, bringing a
theatrical flair that suits the film’s tone. Nutan like always is reliable as
the grieving yet resilient Savitri, though her role demanded more length. Tina
Munim and Hema Malini (credited as a special appearance) are adequate but
underutilized, while Shatrughan Sinha’s limited screen time feels like a missed
opportunity. Pran, as the police commissioner, and other supporting actors like
Satyen Kappu and Madan Puri (whose dubbing was completed posthumously) add
gravitas but have limited impact.
"Yudh" is a quintessential Bollywood action thriller that encapsulates the era’s love for melodrama, star power, and high-stakes action. Despite its formulaic plot and shortcomings in its script, the film remains eminently watchable due to its fast pace, Anil Kapoor’s electrifying performance, and the infectious “Jhakaas” legacy. Rajiv Rai’s debut shows a lot of promise. The replacement of Sanjay Dutt with Jackie Shroff, while a necessity, adds an intriguing footnote to the film’s history. After 40 years of its release, for fans of 1980s masala cinema, "Yudh" offers a nostalgic, thrill-filled ride, best enjoyed with an appreciation for its charm and star-driven spectacle. If you stumble upon its DVD or Blu-ray, it’s a worthy addition to a retro Bollywood collection.
- By Ayushmaan Mitra
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