Director: Indra Kumar
Starring: Aamir Khan, Kajol and Juhi Chawla
‘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 made in his career. However, “Ishq” definitely stands out as his most underrated film. Released in 1997, Indra Kumar’s movie offered a captivating portrait of lovers which are divided by social class barriers. Packed with breathtaking musical sequences, bold storytelling and amazing acting, it’s a strong Bollywood romantic drama. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Aamir Khan, who portrays a wealthy businessman falling in love with a poor woman. Although “Ishq” is a captivating Bollywood romantic drama, it isn’t a flawless film. It builds to an overly sentimental conclusion which lacks a resolution. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment that would absolutely satisfy fans of Aamir Khan.
“Ishq” tells the story of a pair of lovers that are torn apart by class barriers. Aamir Khan plays Raja, a poor mechanic coming from a working-class background in India. Raja is determined to find romance but has never had any luck in the matter of love. However, Raja’s life forever changes when he falls for a rich girl that becomes a lover. Madhu (Juhi Chawla) is an affluent girl that comes from a family of immense wealth. Despite a huge differences in social class, the two get along extremely well together. Acting against the wishes of her strict parents, Madhu finds a lifelong partner in the poor Raja. Faced with a dilemma, Raja is forced to question if it’s truly possible for him to overcome barriers of social class in India.
Indra Kumar is fascinated by the themes of social class. A brilliant Bollywood director, Kumar has made engaging movies about lovers torn apart by a social class barrier. His iconic movie “Dil” offered a captivating portrait of lovers from differing social class that struggle to achieve dreams they want to fulfill. With “Ishq”, however, Kumar made his first ever romantic comedy. It marked the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture lives of lovers torn apart by social class barriers in India by comedy but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Kumar captures the lives of lovers torn apart by social class adversity. Taking inspirations from James Cameron’s “Titanic”, Kumar uses montages to capture lovers torn apart by class that’s tragic. For instance, montages elevate the bond scene. During this memorable scene, Raja and Madhu spend valuable time with each other against wishes of their families. Using montages, Kumar creates a portrait of social class that’s compelling. Montages are complex techniques to use in Bollywood movies. As Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Lagaan” proved, montages elevate Bollywood movies about cricket. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Using bold visuals, Kumar captures lovers torn apart by barriers of social class that are frustrating.
Another astonishing aspect of “Ishq” which deserves appreciations is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies from the 1990’s you will ever see. Kumar effectively uses cross-cutting to stage musical sequences which involve lovers that prove to be engaging. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the Neend Churai Meri song. During this unforgettable song, Raja and Madhu express their love for one another through a melody. Using cross-cutting, Kumar creates musical sequences which are engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the burden lovers bear. Through stunning production, Kumar captures lives of lovers torn apart by social distinction.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Ishq” is a Bollywood romantic film which is engaging. The film is extremely well written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture the lives of lovers that experience class tension. Inspired with Mansoor Khan’s “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak”, Kumar deftly uses monologues to capture lovers which are torn apart by social class barriers. For instance, monologues enhance the family argument scene. During this intense scene, Madhu has a fight with parents regarding her love for Raja. Through bold monologues, Kumar constructs a portrait of social class audiences can relate to. Monologues aren’t easy techniques to use in Bollywood movies. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai” proved, monologues enhance Bollywood films about friendship. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Kumar captures social class causing lovers to face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Aamir Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Raja. Khan first earned appreciation for playing serious heroes in Indian dramas. With “Ishq”, however, the actor took on his most comedic role. It isn’t easy to portray a lower-class man falling in love with a girl that’s wealthy but he pulls it off successfully. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, hilarious and charming in his most lighthearted role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, frustration and romantic spirit of a man that strives to overcome social class tensions. It’s a powerful performance by one of the most celebrated actors working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Aamir Khan, the supporting cast is also spectacular and worthy of recognition. Ajay Devgan is astonishing, capturing the tension of a lower class man that falls for a wealthy woman. Kajol is captivating, bringing heart and soul to a woman facing social barriers causing life to spiral out of control. Lastly, Juhi Chawla merits appreciation. As a rich woman, she brings authority to the movie.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Ishq” can’t quite create a portrait of social class that’s true to reality. If there’s a small shortcoming to the movie, it lacks a strong ending. It’s a melodramatic conclusion that fails to bring the movie to a satisfying close. Whereas this sentimental ending enhanced Kumar’s previous film “Dil”, it clashes with a realistic tone of this movie. At worst, it sends false messages about social class that are not true to reality. Therefore, “Ishq” cannot quite live up to the high standard set by the greatest movies made by Aamir Khan which audiences adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Aamir Khan will enjoy “Ishq” and so would audiences which seek romantic entertainment. A riveting romantic classic, it celebrated an Indian actor that is iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood movie about lovers which are torn apart by social class tension, it’s a remarkable reminder about a beloved Indian actor that has established a bold reputation through his ability to play compelling heroes in memorable movies which are absolutely worthy of appreciation.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 