Nov 14, 2009 04:54 AM
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(Updated Nov 14, 2009 11:01 PM)
Deewaar is one of my all time favourite Bollywood movies. This is the movie which perhaps sealed Amitabh’s position at the top in Bollywood(his 2nd big hit after Zanjeer). The strong storyline, extremely well written script, powerful acting and brilliant direction makes this movie an absolute must-see for any Hindi movie-lover.
Anand Verma(Satyen Kappu) is an upright Trade Union leader who is blackmailed by the crooked business-owner into complying with the terms and this turns all his workers against him. Not able to face them, he leaves his home and his family. His wife, Sumitra(Nirupa Roy) leaves with her two children Vijay and Ravi for Bombay to find work. She works as a construction worker, while the elder son Vijay also decides to work(as a shoe polisher) so they can earn enough to send the younger Ravi to school.
Vijay grows up to be a labourer at the docks. One day, Vijay witnesses the murder of one of the labourers who had refused to pay protection money to the local goons. Vijay determines that he will not succumb to such goons any longer, and challenges them to fight him, beating up all of them single-handedly. Vijay is quickly recognised by a smuggler, Davar, who needs tough men to take care of his smuggled goods which are often stolen by Davar’s rival Samant. Having seen a very difficult and impoverished childhood, Vijay agrees to join Davar. His courage and determination pleases Davar who gives him all his responsibilities very soon and before he knows it, Vijay is the leader of Davar’s gang.
Vijay’s brother Ravi graduates from his studies, and though he initially struggles to find a job, he gets selected for a job as a police officer, and his first assignment is to bust the gang of Davar and Vijay. Ravi is shocked at learning of his brother’s deeds, and despite finding it difficult, decides to take up the case and bring Vijay to justice.
Ravi tries to convince Vijay to surrender but on the latter’s refusal, Ravi, with his mother, leaves Vijay’s house. Starting to work on his case, Ravi gradually starts weakening Vijay’s empire. Vijay tries to convince Ravi to move away from this case but Ravi is determined.
Meanwhile, Vijay’s live-in girlfriend Anita(Parveen Babi) gets pregnant and he decides to now lead a clean existence, marry her, surrender himself and not allow his sins to affect the upbringing of his future child. But the shadow of his sins is not so easy to leave behind. The pregnant Anita is brutally murdered, and in a rage, Vijay goes out to avenge her murder by killing Samant.
The movie ends with Vijay eventually getting killed, in his mother’s lap, as he tries to escape from the police.
This movie is extremely well made and there are several memorable scenes and dialogues in this movie.
The scenes / dialogues I liked:
- The young Vijay’s character: His mother is sad that she can’t afford to send her 2 children to school. Vijay figures that she alone cannot earn enough to send them both to school, but she and he can earn enough to send Ravi to school.
- The young Vijay’s attitude: even as a small boy doing a small job of a shoe polisher, he is clear that he is working hard for his money, not begging. And he would like to be treated with respect.
- Davar’s prediction of Vijay’s future. “This is a horse who will win in the long run”.
- The changing of the grown-up Vijay’s attitude to a more aggressive one. He determines one day that he is not going to give protection money to the local goons any longer. The fight sequence in the godown with Peter’s men which follows. Vijay’s confidence is brilliant, as he locks the door from inside and throws the key at Peter before he starts to fight with them.
- When Davar throws a wad of cash at him for his first assignment, Vijay reminds him of his earlier days, and the fact that he does not pick up money thrown at him even today! I can imagine what would be going through the character Davar’s mind at that time(I always knew this kid would make it big!).
(Continued in Comments section due to space cons
