Director: Raj Kanwar
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Rishi Kapoor and Amrish Puri
‘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 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 which he has created in his career. However, “Deewana” certainly stands out as being his most romantic movie. Released in 1992, Raj Kanwar’s movie offered a powerful portrait of obsessive lovers. Packed with captivating production, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s a remarkable Bollywood romantic drama. At a centre of it all is a brilliant debut performance by Shah Rukh Khan, who plays an obsessive lover. Although “Deewana” is a captivating Bollywood romantic drama, it is not a flawless film. It builds a melodramatic conclusion that lacks resolution. That being said, it offers engaging entertainment which would definitely without a doubt satisfy fans of Shah Rukh Khan.
“Deewana” tells the story of an obsessive lover that faces a dilemma in India. Shah Rukh Khan portrays Raja, a singer that has often loved composing music passionately. Raja has always shared a strong bond with Kajal (Divya Bharti), a woman he has often loved dearly. However, Raja’s life drastically changes when he discovers the dangers of being an obsessive lover. When a menacing former lover Ravi (Rishi Kapoor) returns for Kajal, Raja faces a stressful situation. As he grows obsessive, Raja faces emotions that are destructive. Faced with a dilemma, Raja questions whether he will find happiness in India.
Raj Kanwar is a newcomer towards stories of obsessive lovers. Before he had directed “Deewana”, Kanwar had never made a film about obsession before. It was the director’s first attempt to convey the lives of obsessive lovers facing adversities but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Kanwar captures an obsessive lover embarking on a journey. Inspired with Adrian Lyne’s “Fatal Attraction”, Kanwar expertly uses handheld camera to capture the struggle of obsessive lovers that experience tension. For instance, handheld camera elevates the lover stalking scene. During this intense scene, Raja keeps a close watch over Kajal by stalking her in a secret way. Using strong handheld camera, Kanwar creates a portrait of obsession that is engaging. Handheld camera is a complex technique to use in film. As Aditya Chopra’s “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” did suggest clearly, handheld camera enhances Indian romantic films. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Chopra captures the hardship that obsessive lovers are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Deewana” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive Bollywood films you would ever see. Evoking Yash Chopra’s “Silsila”, Kanwar effectively uses cross-cutting to construct memorable musical sequences taking place in India. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the Aisi Deewangi song. During this intense scene, Raja confesses his love for Kajal by a powerful song. Using cross-cutting, Kanwar creates musical sequences which prove to be engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that obsessive lovers bear. Through production, Kanwar captures dangers which are posed by obsession.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Deewana” is a Bollywood romantic movie that’s engaging. The movie is exceptionally well-written, and expertly uses monologues to capture hardships which obsessive lovers face. Emulating Yash Chopra’s “Chandni”, Kanwar successfully uses monologues to capture the hardships faced by obsessive lovers. For instance, monologues enhance the confession scene. During this romantic scene, Raja confesses his love for Kajal by dramatic monologues. Through a stunning monologue, Kanwar constructs a portrait of obsession audiences relate to. Monologues are complex techniques. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” demonstrated, monologues enhance Bollywood films about broken families. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Kanwar captures obsessive lovers that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers a dazzling debut performance as Raja. In his first ever lead role, Khan demonstrated why he was born to become a Bollywood icon. Khan exhibited his charisma, charm and iconic presence in a debut role that showcased his talents in the industry. With riveting expressions, he captures the ambition, obsession and grief endured by a singer experiencing tensions. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly emotional in his first major role. It’s a strong performance that proved why Khan would one day absolutely become a superstar in Bollywood.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Shah Rukh Khan, the supporting cast is extraordinary and worthy of praise. Rishi Kapoor is remarkable, bringing authority to a jealous husband that grows envious of his wife’s lover causing adversity. Divya Bharti is brilliant, bringing charisma to a woman that falls in love with a singer causing an intense dilemma. Lastly, Amrish Puri merits appreciation. As an elderly uncle, he brings intensity to the movie.
Despite excellent performances, however, “Deewana” can’t quite capture hardships lovers face in India. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks an engaging ending. It’s a melodramatic conclusion driven by Bollywood cliches that lacks a satisfying resolution. While this melodramatic ending elevated Yash Chopra’s “Darr”, it clashes with this movie. Therefore, “Deewana” can’t quite capture the lives of Indian lovers that audiences adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Shah Rukh Khan will absolutely enjoy “Deewana” and so would audiences seeking riveting entertainment. A captivating Bollywood romantic drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about a singer that faces obsession with a woman, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actor that has built a strong reputation through his ability to portray strong characters in iconic films throughout his amazing career that deserve utmost appreciation.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 