Director: Yash Chopra
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Sunny Deol and Juhi Chawla
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in India are as beloved as Juhi Chawla. Ever since her rise to fame in the 1990’s, Chawla has proven herself to be an extraordinary actress. Whether it be doomed lovers, larger than life teenagers or bold gangsters, Chawla has played several interesting characters. Arguably, Chawla’s finest strength as an actress has often been her strong screen presence. She is one of those actresses that has always had talent for stealing a show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Even when she isn’t a main focus of a movie, Chawla has always left a strong impression. Throughout a bold career, Chawla has made many engaging movies which are undeniably worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Chawla and adore all the movies which she has made in her career. However, “Darr” definitely stands out as her most frightening movie. Released in 1993, Yash Chopra’s movie offered a compelling portrait of jealous lovers. Packed with bold musical sequences, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Juhi Chawla, who embodies a woman that turns into a victim of jealousy that causes trauma. Although “Darr” is a captivating Bollywood drama, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from an over the top ending without a resolution. That being said, it offers bold entertainment for fans of Juhi Chawla.
“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 astonishing performances.
Juhi Chawla delivers one of her best career performances as Kiran. Chawla first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroines in Bollywood movies. With “Darr”, however, she took on her most psychological role. It’s not easy to portray a woman that’s haunted by an obsessive stalker causing adversities, but she succeeds. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: charismatic, emotional and vulnerable in her most iconic role. With mesmerizing expressions, Chawla captures the angst, fear and resentments of a woman that is haunted by jealous stalkers causing tension. It’s a terrific performance by one of the most celebrated actresses in Bollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Chawla, the supporting cast is fantastic and also worthy of appreciation. Shah Rukh Khan is spectacular, capturing the maniacal nature of a lover that grows obsessed with a woman whose life is in grave danger. Sunny Deol is dazzling, bringing authority to a man that seeks to protect his fiancée from an evil stalker that causes tragedy. Lastly, Anupam Kher merits appreciation. As an elderly dad, 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 Juhi Chawla will enjoy “Darr” and so would movie-goers seeking heartfelt entertainment. A bold Bollywood drama, it celebrates an actor with charisma in India.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking movie about a pair of lovers torn apart by the emotions of jealousy, it’s a riveting reminder of a bold Indian actress that has created a lasting legacy through abilities to play compelling characters in memorable movies audiences love dearly.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 