Director: Yash Chopra
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Sunny Deol and Juhi Chawla
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his toward recognition in the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the greatest actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it is star-crossed lovers, gangsters or doomed superheroes, Khan has proven he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s finest strength as an actor has always been his charisma. He has often been of those rare actors with the abilities to use his charisma to attract audiences to the theatres. Through his abilities to play characters which prove to be compelling, Khan has created a legacy that’s lasting. Known as the Badshah of Bollywood, Khan has stood the test of time as a great icon in Indian Cinema. Despite reaching the ages of retirement, Khan hasn’t lost his passions for making engaging entertainment. An icon in India, Khan has become a bold actor whose movies commonly attract audiences to the Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has appeared in several unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies he has made in his career. However, “Darr” definitely stands out as his most bold movie. Released back in 1993, Yash Chopra’s film offered a powerful portrait of the dangers of obsession. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s a brilliant Bollywood romantic drama. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance by Shah Rukh Khan, who portrays a fearful man that’s obsessed with his lover. Although “Darr” is a captivating Bollywood drama, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from an over the top conclusion without resolution. That being said, it offers engaging entertainment for fans of Shah Rukh Khan.
“Darr” tells a story of an obsessed man that becomes infatuated with his lover causing a danger. Shah Rukh Khan embodies Rahul, a young man that has obsessive personality. Rahul has always shared a strong bond with his crush Kiran (Juhi Chalwa), whom he has always loved dearly. However, Rahul’s life is drastically changed when he discovers that Kiran has another lover. Sunil (Sunny Deol) is a successful businessman that has a lot to offer Kiran. Growing envious, Rahul seeks to win over his lover through ways proving to be dangerous. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Rahul wonders whether Kiran would ever truly be his one and only lover.
Yash Chopra has always been fascinated with themes of jealousy. A fantastic Indian filmmaker, Chopra has often made strong movies about lovers that are trapped in a doomed relationship. His iconic film “Silsila” offered a powerful portrait of extramarital affairs which cause lovers to face trauma in India. With “Darr”, however, Chopra created his first ever psychological thriller. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of jealous lovers experiencing adversity but he succeeded immensely. Using captivating cinematography, Chopra captures the lives of obsessed lovers which are torn apart by jealousy. Recalling “Kabhi Kabhie”, Chopra effectively uses montages to capture tragic lives of obsessed lovers that face adversity. For instance, montages elevate the stalking scene. During this engaging scene, Rahul stalks Kiran by following her around without her knowledge. Using stunning montages, Chopra creates a portrait of obsession that is compelling. Montages are complicated techniques. As Nikhil Advani’s “Kal Ho Naa Ho” suggested, montages enhance movies about terminal illness. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using engrossing visuals, Chopra captures tensions which obsessive lovers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Darr” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies you will ever see. Chopra effectively uses cross-cutting to craft music sequences that are engaging. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the Jaadu Teri Nazar scene. During this unforgettable song, Kiran is overjoyed when she discovers that she is being loved by Rahul. Using cross-cutting, Chopra creates a portrait of romance that is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere demonstrating lives of lovers which face fear. Using stunning production, Chopra captures lovers that face romantic tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Darr” is a Bollywood film that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to capture tensions obsessive lovers experience. Emulating Adrian Lyne’s “Fatal Attraction”, Chopra effectively uses silence to capture lovers that are torn apart by fatal attraction. For instance, the silence elevates the final meeting scene. During this unforgettable scene, Rahul faces grief when he is rejected by Kiran in a meeting causing tension. Through silence, Chopra creates a portrait of obsession that audiences could relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Yash Chopra’s “Veer-Zaara” suggested, silence elevates Bollywood films about Partition. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Chopra captures lovers which experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his best performances as Rahul. Khan achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroes in Bollywood movies. With “Darr”, however, he took on his most villainous role. It isn’t easy to portray an obsessive lovers experiencing adversity but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With engaging expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and jealousy of a man experiencing complex emotions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors that is working in Bollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Shah Rukh Khan, the supporting cast is excellent and worthy of recognition. Juhi Chawla is captivating, bringing charisma towards a woman that falls in love with an obsessive man causing a dilemma. Sunny Deol is spectacular, capturing the ferocious personality of a businessman that becomes victim of jealousy. Lastly, Anupam Kher is unforgettable. As an elderly father, he is unforgettable.
Although “Darr” is a captivating Bollywood drama, it isn’t a flawless film. If there’s one shortcoming to the movie, it lacks a strong ending. It’s an over the top conclusion that lacks a satisfying resolution. Whereas this ending enhanced Adrian Lyne’s “Indecent Proposal”, it clashes with this film. At worst, it perpetuates the misleading message that jealousy can easily be resolved in romantic relationships. Therefore, “Darr” can’t quite capture the tensions that are experienced by lovers in danger.
Nevertheless, fans of Shah Rukh Khan will definitely enjoy “Darr” and so would movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A riveting Bollywood drama, it celebrates an actor with charisma in India.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about a pair of lovers torn apart by the emotions of jealousy, it’s a captivating reminder about a legendary Indian actor that has established a strong legacy through his abilities to play compelling characters in memorable movies audiences love dearly.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 