Writer/Director: Dharmesh Darshan
Starring: Aamir Khan, Karisma Kapoor and Farida Jalal
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as celebrated today as Aamir Khan. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Khan has proven to be one of the greatest actors in Bollywood. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, terrorists in danger or professional wrestlers, Khan has suggested he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his bravery. Khan has never been afraid to take risks in his career through tackling subjects that prove controversial. Through abilities to play characters which are compelling, Khan has established a legacy which has proven to be compelling. Despite reaching the age of retirement, Khan has never lost his strong passion for producing iconic entertainment. An iconic legend in India, Khan has become a celebrated legend in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout a groundbreaking career, Khan has created several strong movies that are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies he has crafted in his career. However, “Raja Hindustani” absolutely stands out as being his most poignant movie. Released in 1996, Dharmesh Darshan’s movie offered a strong portrait of social class in India. Packed with breathtaking musical sequences, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s a brilliant Bollywood romantic drama. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance from Aamir Khan, who embodies a romantic taxi driver. Although “Raja Hindustani” is a captivating Bollywood drama, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from uneven pacing that often tests viewers’ patience. Nevertheless, it provides heartfelt entertainment that will satisfy fans of Aamir Khan.
“Raja Hindustani” tells the story of an Indian taxi driver that strives to become wealthy. Aamir Khan plays Raja Hindustani, a poor taxi driver that struggles to make a living in his city. Raja has often struggled to find joy in a poverty-stricken India. However, Raja’s life drastically changes when he falls in love with a girl with high stature. Aarti (Karisma Kapoor) is a wealthy woman that originates from an upper-class family. Due to the huge social class difference, Aarti’s parents forbid her from marrying Raja. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Raja questions if it is possible for him to become a successful taxi driver. Facing a dilemma, Raja wonders if he can ever achieve happiness in suburbs of India.
Dharmesh Darshan is a newcomer towards the romance genre. A debutante director, he had never made a movie about social class before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture lives of Indian taxi drivers which face adversity but he succeeded immensely. Using captivating cinematography, Darshan captures a taxi driver that embarks upon a journey. Inspired by Martin Scorsese’s “Taxi Driver”, Darshan effectively uses montages to capture the life of a lonely taxi driver. For instance, montages enhance the loneliness scene. During this heartfelt scene, Raja is in a state of loneliness as he drivers his cab in his city. Using stunning montages, Darshan creates a portrait of taxi drivers that proves compelling. Montages are tricky techniques. As Rajkumar Hirani’s “3 Idiots” did illustrate, montages enhance Bollywood movies about college students. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Using stunning visuals, Darshan captures the hardships that taxi drivers are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Raja Hindustani” that merits appreciation is the production. Darshan effectively uses cross-cutting to construct musical sequences which prove engaging. For instance, the cross-cutting elevates the Pardesi Pardesi song. During this memorable song, Raja feels grief as he is separated from his girlfriend. Using cross-cutting, Darshan creates music sequences that are engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing the painful burdens taxi drivers bear. Through bold production, Darshan captures Indian taxi drivers facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Raja Hindustani” is a Bollywood film that’s captivating. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture the tense hardships taxi drivers experience. Darshan expertly uses dramatic monologues to capture hardship Hindustani taxi often drivers experience. For instance, monologues elevates the family discussion scene. During this emotional scene, Raja is overcome with emotion when he delivers a monologue about love toward Aarti’s family. Through captivating monologues, Darshan creates a portrait of taxi drivers audiences relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to employ in movies. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai” proved, monologues enhance Bollywood films about friendship. However, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Darshan captures the lives of taxi drivers which face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Aamir Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Raja. Khan first achieved appreciation for playing serious heroes in Bollywood movies. With “Raja Hindustani”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a poor taxi driver that faces adversity 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 resentments of an Indian taxi driver that faces tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the best actors in Bollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Aamir Khan, the supporting cast is superb and worthy of praise. Karisma Kapoor is captivating, bringing charisma to a wealthy woman that falls in love with a poor driver in India. Johnny Lever is fantastic, and brings hilarious comical relief to a taxi driver with a sharp sense of humour. Lastly, Kunal Khemu deserves appreciation. As a taxi driver, he is unforgettable.
Although “Raja Hindustani” is a captivating Bollywood drama, it isn’t a flawless movie. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks engaging pacing. Darshan’s decisions to integrate subplots about stepmothers in the movie is bold but doesn’t entirely work. Due to this faulty decision, scenes focusing on Aarti’s stepmother aren’t as engaging as her romantic journey. As Zoya Akhtar’s “Dil Dhadakne Do” proved, subplots about lives of stepmothers enhance Bollywood family dramas. Therefore, “Raja Hindustani” can’t quite capture the lives of Indian taxi drivers audiences adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Aamir Khan will enjoy “Raja Hindustani” and so would audiences seeking meaningful entertainment. A bold Bollywood romantic drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about the life of an Indian taxi driver facing societal pressure, it’s a riveting reminder about an actor that has built a lasting legacy by his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies throughout his career audiences treasure.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 