Dostana

Raj Khosla @100!!! On the 100th birth anniversary of legendary film director I want to discuss one of my favs Khosla saab film of my childhood-the 1980 slickly made action cum triangle-DOSTANA!! The film was the first production of Yash Johar through Dharma production and had a great star cast of Amitabh-Zeenat-Shatrughan along with Pran, Prem Chopra, Helen and Amrish Puri. Raj Khosla presents another ace action film after the cult Mera Gaon Mera Desh. The USP of the film was with Bachchan in the lead. Salim-Javed were responsible for creating the angry young man image of Amitabh-Trishul, Kala Pathar etc. Along with these cult angry young man image films-it was Manmohan Desai's Parvarish who changed him to be a cool cop who is normally not angry. He is witty, is romantic at heart, gets emotional seldom but does lots of action.

Parvarish holds the distinction of changing Amitabh from an angry young man to an action star.

If you see DOSTANA you will see Salim-Javed charged to present Amitabh as an action hero in the mould of Parvarish and unlike their angry young man image (ofcourse the cult Sholay and DON were totally different).

Amitabh was pitted against another rival Shatrughan Sinha Bachchan was the cop without a uniform (other movies which took this thing later were-Aakhree Raasta and Geraftaar) and both the friends fall for Zeenat Aman (1981 Desai's Naseeb again had Amit-Shatru falling over one-woman Hema which leads to misunderstanding).

However, with Salim-Javed and Amitabh's combination a normal romantic triangle is the last thing u expect so there is plenty of action. The film was a big break for action master Veeru Devgan who composed some amazing fights in the movie. Amitabh's car chase, train chase and the excellently shot climax where he shot hanging from a helicopter made Amitabh a super cop.

DOSTANA probably can be said as the last big hit of Khosla saab and he is totally in form in this action film of 1980s. His command of medium is apt as he does tremendous justice to Salim-Javed's script and brought the best out of the starcast. Besides Amitabh, it was Shatrughan again who showed his screen presence in a shaded role. Zeenat got enough scope to shine as the bold glamorous heroine and Pran was in fine form in supporting role. The baddies Prem Chopra and Amrish Puri were superb as well. Music,starcast, romance, emotional scenes and ofcourse action was totally fit for this film and remains loved even till date.

Dostana review :

Legendary director Raj Khosla's last box office success; Dostana had superstar Amitabh Bachchan and Shotgun (Shatrughan) Sinha vying for love and affection of the gorgeous Zeenat Aman. It was a staple Salim Javed script packed with all the masala ingredients of action, romance, emotions and dialogues. Having said that, I consider this to be one of their underwhelming effort as there were no punchlines or thrills as expected from the star writer-duo. Nevertheless, they got paid more than superstar Bachchan.

Vijay (Amitabh) and Ravi (Shotgun) are childhood buddies who become warring foes over the pretty Sheetal (Zeenat). Vijay is a cop while Ravi is the defence lawyer. Later, Vijay is accused of a murder and Ravi demands a night with Sheetal as his remuneration to bail him out.

Dostana took a good three years to complete mainly due to the untimely demise of its cinematographer Nariman Irani in 1978. Bachchan and Sinha's offscreen rivalry was much talked about in the media and that actually helped the movie to take a fantastic opening at the box office. Amrish Puri played a supporting baddie to the main villain Prem Chopra who is instrumental in creating rift between the two heroes. Pran was reliably effective as the police informer Tony who has his own past to tell...this character bears resemblance to his Michael from Amitabh Bachchan's Majboor (1974) - another Salim Javed script.

Dostana was the first production of Yash Johar who made many memorable films after this like Duniya (1984), Agneepath (1990) and Gumrah (1993) before his son Karan took over the mantle with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)... and made Dharma a top production house of Bollywood. Interestingly, Karan produced another Dostana in 2008 starring Amitabh's son Abhishek and John Abraham. The namesake movie was a gay comedy and had nothing to do with this Raj Khosla original.

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Review By Kamal K

Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan) is a Police Office and befriend with Ravi (Shatrughan Sinha) who is a lawyer and employed by Daaga (Prem Chopra) a white collar criminal. On one hand Vijay arrests criminals and Ravi managed to get them Bail. But their professional differences never come in the way of their personal life and their friendship remains profound.

Ravi and Vijay meet Sheetal (Zeenat Aman) at difference places. Both falls in love with Sheetal who reciprocated to the love of Vijay and love of Ravi remained one sided. Soon Vijay comes to know about love interest of Ravi and decides to sacrifice his love for him. But problem ensues when Daaga make a conspiracy and Ravi becomes the biggest enemy of Ravi.

Zeenat Aman was at the peak of her career at that time and she has completed the glamour quota alongwith some good acting too. Pran, Prem Chopra and Helen have also done exceedingly well.

Dostana also features some well-choreographed action sequences by Veeru Devgan.

Laxmikant Pyarelaal have composed good songs for the movie. The lyrics of Anand Bakshi are quite touching. It's a formula-based Bollywood movie with guaranteed entertainment presented by Raj Khosla. If you want wholesome entertainment for more than two and a half hours, please don't miss it.

This movie would make you keep watching again and again. It has got a great repeat value. Great Story, and Very compelling screenplay that you will not be bored for a minute. Plus It has dose of entertainment at each stage of movie. And I find the Climax of the movie Super. Its Hollywood kind. You will be amazed to see such high class movies used to made in golden age of cinema.

This movie is a classic entertainer , with great star cast ... good music ... great direction..and great performances by all the cast . It is one of the best movies of Amitabh Bachan who is well supported by the other cast... Shatrughan Sinha and Zeenat Aman were superb and brilliant. An all time great Entertainer .