How would the whole world be,
If we were all silent and sleepy
With no laughter ringing in our ears
And the world a picture of misery and tears…
It’s quite impossible for me to believe that I, the movie freak that I am, could have lived for so long and write movie reviews without having seen Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron…
Classics, whether they are books, short stories or films, are a constant inspiration to my mortal mind. I persistently and perennially search for creations that inspire, illuminate and encourage one to dream. But like all good things in life, such things are few and far between.
Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron is one of those films that come once in a while and then make sure they live forever. Alternately subtle and loud, JBDY is the ideal mix of genuine comedy and some real life hilarity. The fun does not come from watching what’s happening to the protagonists but from the realization of the fact that most of it could happen to you as well. The situations may look a little larger than life but then we’ve been known to have a penchant for fairy tales too, haven’t we?
Although not a fairy tale in the correct sense of the word but JBDY is still an exciting fun ride seen through the lens of our two protagonists- Naseeruddin Shah and Ravi Vaswani- who are photographers and have just opened a new studio. The studio doesn’t, well, really take off and that brings our photographers on the streets. Quite literally.
It is only when the two become innocent witnesses to a murder that the story really takes off. The film, like most other comedies, has plenty of cat-and-mouse running around. But since it was the first of its kind, I assume that this is the film that started the trends in the first place. The situations that follow range from very serious to the most absurd but lend a steady pace and coherence to the film.
The cast of the film is clearly its USP. Whether it is Pankaj Kapoor or Om Puri as the corrupt business magnates or Shah and Vaswani as the naive photographers or Bhakti Barve as the dominating and manipulating editor of a magazine- every actor has played his part in an extremely mature and established manner. Almost as flawless and intense as the acting is the direction. Hats off to Kundan Shah for having contemplated such a theme and for his choice of actors who eventually have come to rule the acting scene. The surprise factor (considering this was a film made in the early 80s) is the fact that there are no songs in the film. All in good taste, for otherwise it would have completely ruined the mood and speed of the film. Some might feel the beginning slightly feeble but the film picks quite soon. And how! There’s plenty of laughter that easily guarantees a fall from your seat and it is only advisable that you carry a kerchief with you in case you are one of those who can’t overcome a bout of giggles easily.