Yaarana

Review By Kamal K

Though this movie was a typical masala film with the then one man industry, I will still go for this movie if just to relive the Bachchan magic all over again. And yes, the real stealer in this movie & a huge crowd puller on its own, was the music of the film. Scored by the very talented & at times under-rated Rajesh Roshan, even 40 years down the line every song of this movie is still so soothing to the ear. I have also read somewhere that the most melodious song of this movie 'Chookar mere man ko' was actually not liked by the concerned producer & is still there in the film solely because of an adamant Rajesh Roshan, supported by who else but the greatest among all actor-stars that the Indian silver screen has seen till date, the one & only Amitabh Bachchan....!

Must watch if you value friendship and love 80's music

Kishan and Bishan are childhood friends. Kishan, a poor boy, stays in a village. Bishan goes to a city becomes captain of a ship. After many years when Bishan returns he discovers golden voice of his friend Kishan. He brings him to city with him and on all odds he plans a stage show for him. To train Kishan in urban manners he send him to a school run by Komal. After the show Kishan becomes very popular. However, some goons highjack Bishan's ship (with many childern aboard) Bishen tries to save them but then he is made to run away for his life. (A small role nicely payed by Kader Khan as Bishan's driver - who sacrifices his life for Bishan). Bishan is presumed dead, though actually he looses his mental balance after seeing the children tortured). How Kishan now pays back to Bishans family is rest of the story.

As Bishan, Amzad Khan perhaps played his one of most sincere roles in this movie. Amitabh is polished, and a village baffoon in city his comedy is superb. Tanuja is her small role makes an impact.

Rajesh Roshan has given good music and the song "Choo kar mere man ko kiya tune kya ishaara...", and this song is apt fot this movie too.

Wealthy Bishan (Amjad Khan) and servant Kishan (Amitabh Bachchan) are friends who grew up together in their small Indian village. Bishan goes off to the city to explore the wider world, but returns after several years to renew their friendship. Discovering that Kishan has a great singing voice, Bishan whisks him away to Bombay to help him become a star. But just as Kishan is gaining fame, Bishan loses his fortune and his sanity due to his unscrupulous uncle and cousin (Jeevan and Ranjeet) and only Kishan can help him.

Solid entertainer with a strong ability to tug at your heartstrings, which is mainly due to the performances of Amitabh and Amjad Khan. They are very convincing as friends, their chemistry is superb- it's good to see Amjad Khan in a positive role, and he's simply superb as the gentle-hearted Bishan, who loses his mind. Amitabh matches him in the acting stakes, and the rest of the cast - Neetu Singh, Sulochana, Tanuja, Ranjeet, Jeevan, and Kadar Khan - do brilliantly.

The first half of the film is comedic, especially with the Polydor staff trying to turn Amitabh's village bumpkin into a star; of course, he eventually becomes one, and ends up singing some memorable songs. The second half gets serious, with Amjad Khan put in the mental institution after the kids in his care get kidnapped by Jeevan and Ranjeet. There's some action at the end, but it's mostly well-scripted story about friendship.

Yaarana review :

A film based on childhood friendship; Yaarana was about a village simpleton Amitabh Bachchan whose city bred bestie Amjad Khan helps him become a famous singer.

Directed by Rakesh Kumar, the film's first half was a breezy comedy while the second half was action packed. The role suited Amitabh perfectly and he was brilliant in each and every scene whether as Kishan singing "Bhole o Bhole" to his dear friend or later, bashing up the goons in climax. This was a film purely depending on the super stars histrionics.

What makes Yaarana special for me is the "Saara Zamaana" song where Amitabh appeared in a bulb fitted suit. I saw that song on DD National programme 'Chitrahaar' and demanded my grandparents to buy me that suit for my fifth birthday!! I used to dance to that song impersonating Amitabh's signature steps.

Yaarana, as a film, was an average fare but it was Amitabh and his bulb wala dress which made it a box office success.

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni