Director: Yash Chopra
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor and Neetu Singh
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Bollywood have earned praise of Amitabh Bachchan. Following his rise to fame amid the 1970’s, Bachchan has transformed in a legendary Bollywood icon. Whether it’s inspiring teachers, frustrated fathers or patriotic leaders, Bachchan has played many strong characters. Arguably, Bachchan’s best strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare Indian actors that has always had strong presence which has elevated every movie he is in. Through his capabilities to create characters which audience can easily relate to, Bachchan has become a celebrated Bollywood icon that audiences value. Although he is best known for roles in Bollywood, Bachchan has proven he excels in every genre. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Bachchan has never lost long lasting passion for entertainment. Throughout his illustrious career, Bachchan has produced countless movies which are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Bachchan and adore all the movies that he has made in his career. However, “Deewaar” is definitely his most iconic role. Released in 1975, Yash Chopra’s film offered a powerful portrait of brothers. Packed with breathtaking production, bold storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance by Amitabh Bachchan, who personifies a gangster facing tension. Ultimately, what makes “Deewaar” a masterpiece is strong appeal. Unlike most Bollywood movies from the 1970’s which are outdated today, it has aged beautifully. A breathtaking Bollywood crime classic, there are many reasons why “Deewaar” is a movie that’s definitely worth watching.
“Deewaar” tells a story of two brothers that are separated by crime reaching a high bar. Amitabh Bachchan portrays Vijay Verma, a gangster engaging in a serious life of crime in India. Vijay’s decision to choose a life of crime has put him at odds with his brother Ravi (Shashi Kapoor), who is a morally right police officer. Vijay attempts to reconnect with his brother whom he has always loved dearly. However, his lifestyle of crime comes in a way of his relationship with his brother. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Vijay questions whether it’s possible for him to be a gangster. Facing a barrier of crime, Vijay wonders whether it’s possible to reconcile with his brother.
Yash Chopra is fascinated with the themes of families in India. A legendary Bollywood filmmaker, Chopra has often made strong movies about dysfunctional families which face disaster. With “Deewaar”, however, the filmmaker made his first ever crime drama. It was the filmmaker’s first ever attempt to capture the lives of gangsters that endure adversity but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Chopra captures a pair of brothers torn apart by crimes which causes adversity. Emulating Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, the director expertly uses montages to capture families torn apart by crimes. For instance, montages elevate the crimes scene. During this memorable scene, Vijay engages in a life of crime without any awareness o family. Using strong montages, Chopra creates a portrait of crime which is engrossing. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Using stunning visuals, Chopra captures the hardships which brothers are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Deewaar” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies which you will ever see. Chopra successfully uses cross-cutting to stage musical sequences that are engaging. For instance, the cross-cutting elevates the Deewaro Ka Jungle music number. During this unforgettable scene, Vijay expresses his frustrations with life of crime through music. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. R.D. Burman’s music is key towards success of the movie. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that brothers bear. Through powerful production, Chopra captures brothers which face family tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Deewaar” is a Bollywood movie which is engaging. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture brothers that face family tension. Inspired with Barry Levinson’s “Rain Man”, Chopra effectively uses strong monologues to capture brothers that endure estranged relationships. For instance, the monologues enhance the arguments scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Vijay has an intense confrontation with his brother about value of his life of crime. Through strong dramatic monologues, Chopra creates a portrait of bothers audiences can relate to. Dramatic monologues are tricky techniques. Ramesh Shippy’s “Sholay” suggested, monologues elevate Bollywood westerns. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using a bold screenplay, Chopra captures brothers that face a price to pay.
One appreciates powerful performances.
Amitabh Bachchan delivers one of his best career performances as Vijay. Bachchan earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Deewaar”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray an Indian gangster that struggles to mend a broken family, but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and resentment of a gangster that faces family tension. It’s a bold performance by one of the most commemorated actors in Bollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Bachchan, the supporting cast is excellent and worthy of appreciation. Shashi Kapoor is superb, capturing righteous personality of a police officer torn apart from his brother by tragedy. Neetu Singh is spectacular, and captures the hardships that a woman in a small village goes through. Lastly, Nirupa Roy merits appreciation. As Vijay’s mother, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “Deewaar” would earn appreciation of everyone capturing families torn apart by war. Unlike most Bollywood movies made in the 1970’s which are outdated today, it has aged beautifully. It discusses strong themes including ambitions, family and social class that would certainly resonate with everyone. Audiences aren’t required to be familiar with Indian cultures to acknowledge it. Therefore, “Deewaar” is among those rare Bollywood movies that everyone would be able to truly adore.
Fans of Amitabh Bachchan will absolutely love “Deewaar” and so would movie-goers seeking tense entertainment. A captivating Bollywood crime classic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 50 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about a troubled gangster seeking to mend broken bonds with his brother, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a legendary Indian actor that has never lost his abilities to captivate by making memorable movies with high social stature which audiences have grown up to treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 