Rangeela

Rangeela is an out-an-out commercial entertainer - a perfect blend of emotions, comedy, songs, and dances. To top it all, Rangeela contains super duper performances by its lead cast.

THE PLOT:

Mili (Urmila Matondkar) is a dancer in the famous choreographer Saroj Khan’s troupe. Her only ambition in life is to become a big actress. Mili’s best friend is Munna (Aamir Khan), a roadside ‘tapori’ with no ambition whatsoever in his life. All he does is sell black tickets in front of theatres! Mili and Munna fight with each other, humor each other, but are extremely close. This closeness transforms into love in Munna’s heart, while Mili, oblivious to his changes, works hard in her dances and keeps dreaming to become a star. Enters Raj Kamal (Jackie Shroff), a huge star, and the favorite hero of Mili. One fine day, while he is jogging along the beach, he sees Mili dancing sensuously to fast beats. From that day, nothing is the same in Mili’s life. Mili gets pulled into the world of glitz, becomes an actress, stars opposite Kamal in her debut, and is busy with her shootings. As Kamal and Mili spend more time together, Kamal falls for Mili’s innocence, beauty, and talent and wants to marry her!

All the while, Munna keeps thinking of Mili, finding it very hard to confess his love. To add fuel to the sorrow, Munna mistakens Mili’s excitement about acting as her love for Kamal. This assumption prevents him from confessing his love. Extremely heartbroken, he decides to leave town on the premiere night of Mili’s debut film, Rangeela. Munna, however, writes her a note that he loves her but is leaving the town because he doesn’t want to get in between Mili and Rajkamal’s relationship. Dazed, Mili rushes off to meet with Munna because, (surprise), she too loves him! Mili reveals the letter’s contents and her love for Munna to Kamal. Kamal, who had planned to propose to her at the end of the premiere, gets a shock, but decides to sacrifice his love and help her find Munna. Mili finds Munna, scolds him for his silly assumptions about Kamal and her, and embraces him forever! Munna and Mili live happily ever after while Kamal is happy for them but dead in his heart!

THE PERFORMANCES:

Rangeela is Rangeela only because of the superlative performances by Aamir Khan, Urmila Matondkar, and Jackie Shroff.

Urmila

Rangeela was definitely the turning point of Urmila’s character. Sadly though, the audience remembers only her strip teasing acts in Tanha Tanha and Hai Rama, forgetting that she has also acted well. Her interactions with Aamir Khan are funny, her ambitions to become an actress are believable, her innocence when she talks to Kamal is endearing. In short, she plays the role of a middle-class girl turned into a glamorous actress with ease.

My favorite scene is when she reads the letter of Munna towards the end of the movie. Miss Matondkar’s stunned expression and the consequent confession of her love for Munna are wonderfully executed! Of course, she looks a million bucks and dances outstandingly. Just watch her in Yaire, Pyar Ye Jaane Kaisa Hai (she looks out-of-this-world in plain saris), Hai Rama, Aaiyi Aaiyi O, the ‘rhythm of Rangeela’ and you will know what I mean!

Jackie Shroff

Juggu Dada’s performance is heartwarming. As the popular star with a dark personal life he adds in the right shades of emotions and invokes sympathy from the viewer! His chemistry with Urmila is strong.

Shroff also gets the best songs of Rangeela - Hai Rama, Tanha Tanha, and Pyar Ye. The animal expressions of Juggu Dada and Urmi baby in Hai Rama are, in one word, WOW! They bring out the thirst for lust and passionate love through their eyes. Overall, Shroff gives a restrained performance as Raj Kamal.

Aamir Khan

BUT the show-stealer is UNDOUBTEDLY Aamir Khan who once again proves that he is an invincible performer. Aamir has a penchant of BECOMING the character instead of SIMPLY ENACTING the character. As Munna, he sinks his teeth into his character without going over-the-top even once. His charismatic screen presence forces the audience to feel every emotion that Munna feels.

Munna’s crude mannerisms and childish fights with Mili are hilarious. As he smiles and laughs and falls in love with Mili the audience falls in love with Munna. His hurt when Mili spends a lot of time with her films and Kamal is so moving. His breathtaking performance leaves such an impact on us that when Mili reads his letter in the climax (With Aamir’s voice in the background), there is a lump on our throat. A path-breaking performance.

The supporting starcast pitch in a sincere performance.

MUSIC AND CHOREOGRAPHY

The music and choreography of Rangeela are first rate. A.R.Rehman has provided a good mix of songs from Yaire to Pyar Ye to Kya Karen. Moreover, the songs are placed carefully, keeping in mind the mood of the situation in the story. My favorite song is the least popular one from Rangeela - Pyar Ye Jaane Kaisa Hai. I love the lyrics and the playback singing.

Urmila stands out in every song and every dance. Her flexibility is commendable and her beauty only adds cherry to the cake. My favorite dance is Yaire and the ’rhythm of Rangeela’ - Urmi is awesome!

Aamir, though not a very good dancer, has tried to match up with Matondkar and looks so cute in Kya Karen as the drunk Devdas (!) and handsome in Aaiye Aaiye Yo!

Jackie shines in Hai Rama and Tanha Tanha. In short, Rangeela boasts of blockbuster songs and colorful choreography.

CINEMATOGRAPHY AND COSTUMES

Cinematography is SUPERB! Once again, special mention needs to be given to Pyar Ye. The lush green fields, the ripples in the pond, the clouds in the sky - every natural asset is captured so well. Hai Rama, Aaiye Aaiye Yo, Kya Karen Kya Na, Tanha Tanha also boast of great camera work.

Costumes are carefully designed. Urmila’s dresses fit her like gloves and she looks beautiful in every frame of the movie in every costume - whether in a decent skirt or a revealing ghagra or a short frock or a bikini or a pant and top or plain saris. Like I mentioned before, she is GORGEOUS!

Aamir dresses to his character - clad mostly in dirty shirts and torn pants! It is only in Aaiye Aaiye Yo does he wear decent looking pants and shirts! Still, he looks extremely sweet!

Jackie looks smart in high class, designer-labelled outfits.

Rangeela has all the essential elements of a commercial entertainer. But what takes it to the status of a classic is the way these elements are intricately weaved, thanks to the master crafter and my favorite director of today, Ram Gopal Verma. Verma proves his creative genius in this heartwarming tale of ambitions and relationships.

OVERALL RATING FOR

Songs: 10/10

Choreography: 10/10

Supporting Star Cast: 9/10

Jackie Shroff: 8/10

Urmila Matondkar: 9/10

Aamir Khan: 10/10