Jugnu (1973) :
Brief Review -
Before Dhoom 2 and Kick, there was Jugnu. A classic Robin Hood role for Dharmendra in a near-classic heist-action-adventure-drama. I am a huge fan of Douglas Fairbanks and Errol Flynn's "The Adventures of Robinhood" from old Hollywood, and seeing those formulaic Robinhood tales over the years has been a joyful experience. Bollywood cracking a similar thing in the 70s was a different experience because of contemporary mass appeal. It wasn't the first time in Indian cinema or Bollywood; we had done it before, but the commercial aspects weren't that high. Jugnu is a fine example of a big-scale presentation of the classic Robin Hood tale, getting an extended version and a high energy booster. Handsome Dharmendra, the he-man of Bollywood, fit so well in the role like he was born to play it. A superb opening scene of a train robbery, flirting with that sexy girl, having another personality of a gentleman with a big heart who is living for orphans, falling in love with a beautiful girl (Hema Malini), who is supposed to marry the son of her dad's friend, who happens to be the same man she falls in love with, unknowingly, the man not letting know his identity to her, the classic lost and found formula of son and father, social service, exciting chase sequences, high octane action sequences, heist part, and after all this, you don't expect the heroine to come and save the hero, but she does and so perfectly because she had mastered those arts (helicopter and shooting). What a juggernaut! Why don't we make such films nowadays? SD Burman sir has given such good music, with two songs topping the list: Tera Peechha Na Chhodunga and Gir Gaya Jhumka. Three writers came together to write a script based on ancient material, which, perhaps, is the best thing written in this marvelous mix of 4-5 genres. Pramod Chakravorthy directed it with so much conviction that it adds a timeless value to it. Now, this is a heist, action, and adventure drama we should all HYPE.
RATING - 7.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.
