This review is on another movie directed by Subhash Ghai and another old movie. I tend not to write reviews on the new releases since there are already countless reviews written on them and most of them are brilliant. Thus, me writing another review after the many others, does not really provide much originality. Therefore, unless I feel passionately for a new release, I will not write a review on it.
There are movies which become evergreen as times progresses. Before my birth, there were many interesting (to say the least) movies that I had not seen. I have therefore made it an aim to review an old movie, which I find interesting…not good, not bad just interesting.
Karz is one such film. It is not path breaking cinema, but the innovative content it offers is a must see.
Released in 1980 under the Mukta Arts Banner, Karz is directed by Subhash Ghai. Before this movie had released Subhash Ghai had a reputation for bringing innovative cinema to the celluloid. He had shown a flair for directing movies with a gripping command. Karz was his most commercially potential project till date.
The story of Karz itself is a rather interesting one. It was somewhat of a trendsetter for reincarnation theme based movies.
Sir Juda (Premnath) wants to take control of the entire estate and property of Rani ma. However, standing in his way is Rani Ma’s son Ravi Verma (Raj Kiran). Ravi wins the case and immediately afterwards marries his lover Kamini (Simi Garewal). However, unknown to Ravi, Kamini is a mole of Sir Juda and she is exploiting him.
Sir Juda asks Kamini to kill Ravi and for doing so will be rewarded the entire mansion and a heavy sum of money every month. The conniving and cunning Kamini agrees. When Ravi and Kamini are returning to their estate, Kamini kills Ravi mercilessly by running him over with the jeep and then pushing him of the cliff.
Kamini’s evil does not stop there. She also plots to get Ravi’s mother and sister thrown out of the house, which she does. Over time, she becomes the owner of the entire estate.
21 years later…
Monty (Rishi Kapoor) is an orphan. However, due to his amazing sining ability he is taken under the wing of a rich manager Oberoi. However, Monty does not get the love from Oberoi and his wife which he yearns for. Instead they use him for the money which he brings doing concerts.
While at a party, Monty loses his heart to Tina (Tina Munim). However, strange visions haunt Monty. He sees a woman killing a man by crushing him under a jeep. He cannot figure out what it is. In the search of Tina, who leaves, he goes to Ooty…where the mystery slowly unravels.
Karz is not one of the best movies but it provides a wholesome combination of creative content and satisfying entertainment. This perfect blend is where the victory of Karz lies.
Karz has many factors going for it. A unique and interesting story which appeals highly in terms of interest factor.
A talented star cast, Rishi Kapoor, Tina Munim Simi Garewal, Pran, Premnath, a good screenplay, music etc.
From the basis of the script, the prologue of the movie is quite interesting. The first few scenes which show brief court scenes, the interaction between Raj Kiran and Simi Garewal, the relation between Raj Kiran and his mother portrayed through a telephone conversation.
Undoubtedly, the highlight sequence being the entire scene where Raj Kiran and Simi Garewal set out on their journey. The beautiful cinematography which shows the jeep travelling juxtaposed with the sunset is a rich look. The background music, which tunes the title track and the eeriness atmosphere that was created. This entire sequence is not just successful because of a twist in the story, Simi Garewal killing Raj Kiran, but the pre build up is also very suspenseful.
The screenplay falters in pace, when we are shown the life of Rishi Kapoor. These scenes should have been more captivating and had a lot of scope for some interesting flashback sequences (but there only is one). The monotony tends to bore the audience. Also the romantic angle between Rishi Kapoor and Tina Munim lacks passion and doesn’t evoke many emotions.
The narrative has been laced with many unnecessary songs. Granted that the background was of a music related one, but there was no need to pack so many songs in a short space of time. Other than the hummable, Aashiq Banaya Aapne, the others at this point are not worth mentioning.
The emergence of Kabira (Pran), Tina’s uncle, somewhat raises the pace but it still appears that the movie is stuck in second gear. The interval point is masterfully executed and Rishi Kapoor’s realisation of his past is brilliantly handled.
From thereon, the revenge saga is quite compelling, but some parts have been handled amateurishly. For example, when Pran and his associated dress up as skeletons, would someone as cunning as Simi Garewal really be afraid. That sequences was more of a comical one than a suspenseful one.
The pre climax scene has been rushed. The shootout in the mansion appears a hurried affair to try and end the movie. Even the final scene where, Simi Garewal tries to kill Rishi Kapoor the same way as earlier, lacks that dramatic touch.
Other flaws include the charcterisation of Simi Garewal. There was so much potential for her character to be developed and she could have emerged as one of the most memorable female characters in Indian Cinema. However, she is under used. Other than kill Raj Kiran, she isn’t shown doing much. For the dramatic perception, she should have been shown as a fearful villain but she is underused. The character of Tina Munim is also uncalled for.
Had the movie started with Rishi Kapoor’s life and then the details of his past were revealed later on, this would have made for more mysterious and suspenseful viewing.
Subhash Ghai directs not with complete success but with almost consistency. There are a number of scenes where he shows his capabilities although he should have been more controlled and could have had a better command on some scenes. Nevertheless, an above good job by the showman.
Cinematography like every Subhash Ghai movie is first class. It is flawless. A rich frame assists a rich canvas.
Editing should have been crisper and many of the songs in the first half were not needed. Dialogues are of a good quality especially the ones with a poetic touch said by Pran.
Music is rather good. It contains two songs which stand out and the rest are surplus. The song Ek Hasina Thi is a landmark song, and the lyrics of the song are also very innovative and just masterfully penned. Absolutely fantastic. Also listen out for Aashiq Banaya Aapne.
Karz undoubtedly is a Rishi Kapoor movie. Given the platform to perform throughout, Rishi Kapoor is marvellous. This is an almost faultless performance and definetly one of the best I have seen from Rishi Kapoor.
His alteration from a young dynamic Monty to the more mature and vengeful Ravi Verma is expertly enacted.
Pran is next on the acting list. Given a role of a short length, he leaves a significant mark. The dialogues, which he says, are a highlight of the movie, and he also gives a memorable performance.
Despite being given a somewhat weak character, Simi Garewal does full justice to it. The potential of her character is never really tapped but she manages to rise above her poorly written character and delivers a fine performance.
The others are function and do what they are more or less required.
“Ek hasina thi
Ek deewana tha
Kya umar thi, kya samaa tha, kya zamana tha
Ek hasina thi
Ek deewana tha.”