Hello, I will review Jyoti for you....I requested this DVD be added to Mouthshut as I was very surprised it was not here. Here’s why: This movie has the controversial hit Thoda Resham Lagta Hai!!
In the US , a hit song came out in 2002-2003 produced by Dr.Dre by a not so famous ’’club’’ singer TRUTH HURTS. This song ADDICTIVE had a ’’sample’’ of the song THODA RESHAM LAGTA HAI . I looked up the Hindi translation of the song and unfortunately Dr. Dre’s version is the total opposite of the meaning of this sweet lilting song. Anyway, it was a hit in the US because of 80’S rap star RAKEEM rapping on the ADDICTIVE single.
’’Bollywood style’’ was hot in 2000, and still is today; thanks to Madonnas RAY OF LIGHT and Gwen Stefani’s look at that time. Anyway, the song was a BIG hit here....followed by the copyright lawsuit, then another big ’’re-mix’’ version in India! To me, the big question is:Where did Dr.Dre hear this tune when even the great singer LATA did not recall the song??? hmm........
This film has many, many, stars of yesteryear.My eyes always pop as the next one, then the next one, enters a scene! In the US that just doesn’t happen because of the humongous salaries actors demand.
This film has HEMA MALINI-JEETENDRA--VIJAYENDRA-SHASHIKALA-believe me there are many more, but these four ARE the film.
Hema portrays Ghouri; a beautiful, dutiful wife/daughter. Ghouri exemplifies a sweet natured, smart, & powerful {yes, powerful-you’ll see}woman. Jeetendra plays Govind;a child in a mans body. Ghouri takes the time to find out why Govind acts like a simpleton. Her nurturing of Govind is lovely. His transformation is realistic. I read that Hema’s husband Dharmendra was supposed to have this role. I don’t think he would or could have performed this part as well as Jeetendra. Tell me if you feel differently! Vijayendra plays a really bad , whip wielding step-brother, Nirajan. Shashikala plays the evil step- mother to Govind perfectly!! This is the first film I have seen her in and though she is at least 60years in this film, she is stunning! I am not familiar with her past work but I ’’googled’’ a photo of her to make sure I had the correct actress and though her hair is completely white now, you can pick her out of a crowd! Shashikala role is that of a second wife that wants to see HER son to the throne. Her husband , the King, dies suddenly and her topple from glory is portrayed greatly. And how can I forget ARUNA IRANI!!! She is in so many, many blockbusters but is always relegated to the brothel dancer et al. I hope in India she is respected. She is very cute and sensuous and dances so well!! A message board that was talking about the TRUTH HURTS hit song mentioned that Hema was the dancer in the
Thoda Resham song...but I knew it was Aruna....She plays Nirajans ’’girl’’ but she only tries to steal his riches.
In conclusion: this movie is a good lesson on greed. It’s a blinding light. But so is the light of love and forgiveness!! All of the songs are great in this film. It has everything in it and yes, even an elephant!. See it with your family, including seniors so that they can tell you about some of the great actors in this film.I do not think those under 30 will like this too much. A lot of films from the 70-80’s have really bad editing you know ?So this would turn the more techno savvy off to it.
By the way, back to THODA RESHAM LAGTA HAI.....Lata is quoted as saying something to the affect.... ’’ I don’t mind that {they} used the song , I just wish
{ they} would have credited me & Bappi ’’ So beautiful and gracious of Lata... the writer won the lawsuit , {he happened to be in the US or Canada and heard the song in a record store! } and lots of money!!
See this film, see Aruna & Vijayendra dance to this tune. It’s very sexy!.