Himmatwala (1983)

With Sajid Khan about to ruin everything that K. Raghavendra Rao did 30 years back, I thought it was only appropriate that I try to get a dekko at the original that many of us saw with great pride and excitement on colour TV after 1983 on doordarshan.  The lucky would have seen the movie on the big screen.  It was a luxury back then.

How many of you know that K. Raghavendra Rao has directed 110 movies to date.  His career in movies is as old as I am starting in 1975.  And over an 8 year period, he had already directed 36 movies before Himmatwala released.  And we call Ramgopal Verma’s studio the factory? Erm? Somethings not right here no?

 

Himmatwala is the story of Ravi Dharam Murthy (Jeetendra) who has just returned from the city after completing his education.  He has learnt a lot during his city days and most importantly has made something out of a life that almost got flushed down the drain thanks to a tyrant landlord Sher Singh (Amjad Khan).

 

Sher Singh had Ravi’s father Dharam Murthy (Satyendra Kapoor) wrongly framed by a woman for raping her.  That was because Dharam Murthy was the only eye witness to a murder that Sher Singh and Narayandas (Kader Khan).  Dharam Murthy has no choice but leave the village.  Why he doesn’t take his family along is beyond me.

 

Himmatwala is a story that has been set in a time where social issues were aplenty here.  Landlords grabbing land from farmers who need the money and get trapped in debt.  Spoilt rich kids who oppress poor villagers for their cheap thrills.  People who marry only for the benefit that they would get from the wedding.  Dowry oppression.  The works. 

 

So, pick one of the biggest names in cinema at that time – Jeetendra.  Throw in a south Indian siren who was making waves for both acting prowess and thunder thighs – Sridevi.  Take not 1, not 2 but 3 of Indias finest villains – Amjad Khan, Kader Khan and Shakti Kapoor. 

 

Add 2 old women to play the cry baby mother and grand mother – Waheeda Rahman and Sulochana. Then get Kader Khan to also write the dialogues (http://www.filmyquotes.com/movies/301).  Whip them all together and you have the formula for 100% success in the early 80s.

 

Why the trailer? Watch the movie on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZvKEoiz7aI. And do it before Sajid Khan kills it for you.  Because I know that the movie that will release shortly will be way off the enjoyment you will get with the crazy dance moves that you will see Jumping Jack and Sridevi perform.  Simply brilliant.  5 on 10.