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3 Deewarein

  • 2003
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
Juhi Chawla, Jackie Shroff, and Naseeruddin Shah in 3 Deewarein (2003)
CrimeDrama

The story of a documentary movie-maker who films the reformation story of three hardened criminals within the prison walls - and in the process, finds redemption in her own life.The story of a documentary movie-maker who films the reformation story of three hardened criminals within the prison walls - and in the process, finds redemption in her own life.The story of a documentary movie-maker who films the reformation story of three hardened criminals within the prison walls - and in the process, finds redemption in her own life.

  • Director
    • Nagesh Kukunoor
  • Writer
    • Nagesh Kukunoor
  • Stars
    • Naseeruddin Shah
    • Jackie Shroff
    • Juhi Chawla
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    2.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Nagesh Kukunoor
    • Writer
      • Nagesh Kukunoor
    • Stars
      • Naseeruddin Shah
      • Jackie Shroff
      • Juhi Chawla
    • 37User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 12 nominations total

    Photos4

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    Top cast14

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    Naseeruddin Shah
    Naseeruddin Shah
    • Ishaan Mirza
    Jackie Shroff
    Jackie Shroff
    • Jaggu (Jagdish Prasad)
    Juhi Chawla
    Juhi Chawla
    • Chandrika
    Nagesh Kukunoor
    Nagesh Kukunoor
    • Naagya
    Gulshan Grover
    Gulshan Grover
    • Mohan Kumar
    Aditya Lakhia
    Aditya Lakhia
    • Malli
    Sujata Mehta
    Sujata Mehta
    • Jaggu's Wife
    Sanjay Sharma
    • Ishaan's Lawyer
    Shri Vallabh Vyas
    Shri Vallabh Vyas
    • Chandrika's husband
    Ayesha Jalil
    • Nagya's Mom
    Elahe Hiptoola
    • Smriti Prasad
    Suresh Gera
    • Doctor
    Vikram Inamdar
    Juhi Chawla Mehta
    • Chandrika
    • Director
      • Nagesh Kukunoor
    • Writer
      • Nagesh Kukunoor
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews37

    7.82.7K
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    Featured reviews

    10huskarl

    A movie script which makes the hollywood jealous

    The first time i heard about the movie , my reaction was i have to see this one. coming from one of my favourite directors Nagesh Kukuonoor and performers like Naseereruddin Shah.

    When i actually got down to see the movie , my feelings were mixed. The performances in the movie were just astounding , the direction was just superb ! but the only downer half way down the movie was i kept having deja vu of having watched the scenes in "Shawshank Redpemption" . The movie did not have the impact till it reached the climax scenes. It was then i realized that the movie was not at all what i expected it to be. And this my friends is a rare find in indian movies. I guess you all must agree with me on this particular point. After the climax was over all i could do was sit dumbfound. I was speechless. This movie that played before me was the best movie of this genre made by an indian in india. It was way better than shawshank redemption in many asepects. (although i am not her undermining the movie in any form , who can ever forget the narration by morgan freeman in that movie).

    The direction needs applause by us all. The flashback type concept was great. The first scene when Chandrika (Juhi) meets the 3 convicts was unbelievable . (in the sense that this was actually directed by an indian director) . The contrast of the 3 characters that was potrayed by Nagesh in that scenario was overwhelming. The movie gives the viewer subtle hints throughtout which one realises once the climax scene was over. The best part of the movie was that each one of the dialogue was well built in to the plot of the movie. Starting from the "Aapko pehle kabhi dekha hai" to every other statment.

    I think i do not need to comment on performance by Nasseeruddin Shah. He is just amazing. One of the best actors the Indian cinema has seen ever. He is complemented perfectly by Juhi, Nagesh , Gulshan and Jackie. The serious role of Jackie was just too good and he stood up to the role beautifully. Nagesh also played his character true to life.

    In all , i would sign off by saying, that if you are one of the people who appreciate movies like shawshank redemption , fight club, memento then DO NOT MISS ON THIS ONE. I would rate the movie better than the afore mentioned 3 movies, and to be honest i loved them all. But if you are the kind who likes masala movies and do not want to appreciate the direction of the movie then this one is not for you.
    10sadullahibrahimi

    Flawless

    An absolutely flawless screenplay which makes the acting look so simple. At least that is what you would think while you are watching the movie but then the acting is super.

    To me the whole movie is like a work of art. When an artist begins his painting, you have no clue where he is going. He would begin with something and start to draw lines which don't make any sense and yet as they say "patience bears fruits", while you wait patiently, there emerges the unexpected master piece which you could not even imagine. And that is what exactly happened to me while watching the movie.

    I am personally not a good critique myself but I could not hold myself from writing this.

    Sadullah
    7juliankennedy23

    Don't Tear Down This Wall

    3 Walls: 7 out of 10: My first reaction was that Indian prisons are really nice. Honestly I went to a couple of sleep away camps in my youth and suffered more hardships than these prisoners. Sure the prison has sexual assault, loss of freedom and death but I am definitely sticking to my analogy.

    This is my first real Bollywood film and since there are no musical numbers or dancing or romance I am under the impression that the film isn't typical. This is straight forward human drama with very good dialogue and a surprisingly twisted and adult story.

    The film concerns three prisoners who are scheduled to hang. One is angry and proclaims his innocence, one refuses to accept guilt for his crime and the last is so racked with guilt he cannot wait for the noose to be drawn. Into their lives comes a female filmmaker with some baggage of her own.

    The movie is about the four characters interactions and how justice is eventually done despite long odds and corruption. While you may have some Shawshank Redemption flashbacks during the film the movie really has its own story and feel. The acting is good across the board and the production values are excellent. This would be a well made film in any nation.
    10hemant_balz

    Epitome of performances

    3 deewarein(3 walls)stands out as the best acted movie in Indian Cinema.Such fantastic movie & its so underrated.Way too underrated.Brilliant performances from all the star-cast.

    Nasarudin Shah is a legend.I always expect these kind of performances from him & i always get such great returns seeing his movies.Juhi has made a great comeback after a very long time.Awesome performances too from Nagesh himself(the director) & Jackie Shroff.Gulshan Grover has too given a terrific performance.Such calmness in his acting in this movie that its so refreshing.

    Nagesh has directed this very well.The script is also very good.This movie surpasses all Indian thrillers.Even you can say this movie is the Shawshank Redemption of Indian Cinema.

    Epitome of performances with a great plot & a terrific surprising ending makes 3 Deewarein a class movie.
    10jbengel-2

    Astonishing!

    From the very first frames 3 Deewarein grips you and won't let go. This very well may be the best movie of its kind I have ever seen an *any* language. In fact, apart from the subtitles, you might just forget that you're watching an Indian film. Even the normal liberties that Bollywood normally takes with the concept of "suspension of disbelief" (and that Bolly fans have come to accept) are mostly absent from this movie. The characters are deep, intense and best of all completely credible. Others here have hailed 3 Deewarein as Juhi Chawla's comeback film, and she certainly shines in her role. But perhaps more surprising to me was Jackie Shroff's performance. Shroff's typical roles haven't impressed me one way or the other -- as especially good or bad -- in most other movies I've seen him in. But his portrayal of "Jaggu" here definitely made me sit up and take notice. And left me wondering how much of my former indifference was due to Jackie, and how much was due to the scripts he's been working from. Nasserudin Shah presents another complex and lovable character in "Ishaan". While not quite as endearing as the title role in "Shree 420", "Ishaan" certainly shares some qualities with that character.

    The story might be best compared to a pointillist painting. In the beginning we see very narrow views from very close angles. It's only as the plot unfolds and we back away from the canvas that we see the actual picture. And the canvas itself is impressive and elegantly understated. The opening sequences -- shot in blue-toned monochrome -- introduce the story in very short order (the entire run time of the film is listed at 120 minutes, which by Bollywood standards almost qualifies as a "short subject") and there is nothing wasted during the exposition. And it's because of this that you are drawn in immediately and rooted for the duration.

    I cannot bring myself to write anything that would hint at the ending of the story. To do that here would be to do you and the film a grave injustice. Let it suffice to say that the ending was not even *remotely * what I expected.

    If you're only a fan of "Masti-Masala" fare, don't watch this movie. You will be disappointed. But if you can spare two hours to be engrossed by a story that is at times grim, and times heartwarming and most of all surprising you *need* to see this film. From casting to camera to script, this is an astonishing work.

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    Crime
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    Drama

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film did not have a theatrical release in British Columbia, Canada.
    • Quotes

      Chandrika: Just because you can't get it up...

    • Connections
      References The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

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    FAQ17

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 1, 2003 (India)
    • Country of origin
      • India
    • Language
      • Hindi
    • Also known as
      • Three Walls
    • Filming locations
      • Hyderabad, Telangana, India
    • Production companies
      • Metalight Productions
      • SIC Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 55m(115 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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