I was on the seventh heaven when I finally got the CDs of two movies which were in my mind for last two years and I was desperate to watch them. I made every attempt to grab these movies anyhow, but my hands were returned empty and heart disappointedly. Finally, I met a person at Bhopal owning a small video library. He was in his 70s or may be in 80s. He can hardly see due to bad eye sight. I think the reason behind his bad eye sight is more of watching lots of movies than the age factor. He has a great collection and I got both movies at one go. Here is a kind of review of both movies (though I am incapable of justifying my views as these movies as they are beyond perfection)
JAGRITI (1954)
A Filmfare winner movie by Satyen Bose conceptualized keeping children in mind, but was a huge hit with every age movie-lovers. Film is about a rich spoil brat Ajay who was sent to a boarding school far away from his homeland where he continues his way of living with his new friends. Unlike other friends of Ajay, Shakti played by Rattan Kumar (the same boy who played Bhola in Boot Polish and was also in Do Bhiga Zameen - both are Filmfare award winners) was talented and disciplined and unusually became the best buddy of Ajay. The board school is run by Shekhar (played by Abhi Bhattacharya). Shekhar tries to instill good values in the students using unorthodox teaching methods. He gains the students' trust and educates them about the heritage of their country and encourages them to become model citizens. Ajay changes when Shakti died in an accident realizing that it is his stubbornness which took Shakti's life.
The whole movie is so well narrated that you never get bore for a minute. Music, by Hemant Kumar, is a masterpiece threaded with great poetry by Pradeep. The best thing about the movie is bringing out the relationship between friends, teacher and students, mother and son. The pranks played by Ajay and his friends will reminds you of younger age. Performance wise all were up to their mark even above. Not a single character was loosely handled. The film is in black & white and still you see the brightest color of life, character and cinema. Film maker of current generation should watch this movie and put effort in making film with such honesty, because such masterpiece is not going to be revisited henceforth.
PARINDA (1989)
A movie by Vidhu Vinod Chopra which received several Filmfare and National awards. This is a cult movie and a turning point in Indian film industry. This movie introduces the concept of underworld to public beyond Mumbai. Few directors can make movies with such terrific camera work, technical stuffs, crisp storytelling and impeccable casting and Chopra is among them.
The story revolves around two brothers played by Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor. (Interesting Trivia - Anil Kapoor is elder to Jackie, but he always payed younger brother to Jackie). Madhuri Dixit as Paro and Anupam Kher as Prakash are best fitted in their role. It is Nana Patekar who steals the show with his eccentric performance. Nana delivers one of his best performances in this film as the fire-phobic gang leader. He is extremely successful in blending the two diametric characteristics of Anna, intensity and insanity. I am not going to tell you story as it would take another hour.
The technical crew of the movie have delivered their best performance till date, Binod Pradhan´s cinematography is probably the best in comparison to other films released around that time. He is very successful in creating a mood that is necessary for a gripping drama, and which is also able to draw the viewer into the film. Renu Saluja´s editing for this film, remains her best work till date, she fetched a National Award for effort. Chopra´s biggest achievement in the film is that he is able to combine technical finesse with a focused and gripping narrative along with some fabulous performances from his cast. Though I think songs were unnecessary in the film, still music is quite praiseworthy especially background score. Very few movies are close to The Godfather and Parinda is one of them.
I heartfully thank that Dada for letting my anxiety to find end.
