Coolie

"Coolie" is a film with something for everyone. We have plenty of action for macho guys, a love story for the ladies, and even political and social themes for artsy folks such as myself. Of course this is nothing new for a Bollywood movie, they are designed to reach as wide an audience as possible. What made "Coolie" stand out for me however, was the way "Coolie" turned everything up a notch. There was more action! More Romance! More elaborate musical numbers! It was almost as if the movie was defying other Bollywood films to try and top it. Of course, it's not just the over the top quality that makes the film memorable. "Coolie" combines the spectacular action and musical scenes with a genuine sense of style. Most importantly however, it is the presence of the legendary Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan that makes the film a fulfilling piece of entertainment.

Most Bollywood films are fairly easy to follow, since the producers know what their audience wants, and time and time again recycle the same story elements (examples being "Mother India" [1957] and "Deewar" [1975], two very different films on the surface, but with almost identical story lines). Although Coolie contains many of the classic thematic elements of many Bollywood movies (absent fathers, a quest for revenge, the "little guy" standing up against a powerful villain), it also differs from the norm in many ways. The plot is much more complicated and difficult to follow than most Bollywood movies (there are about five story lines happening at once), but the action set pieces and musical numbers help distract from that minor problem.

Indeed it is the action scenes that are the major attractions of "Coolie". These have to be the most surreal, artfully constructed action scenes I've ever witnessed. In many other Bollywood films, the action is kind of slap-dash, with actors running around hitting each other randomly, while the camera doesn't seem to know what to shoot. Although of course in "Coolie" the action scenes are fast paced and energetic, the directors Manmohan Desai and Prayag Raj infuse smooth tracking shots, slow motion and freeze frames. This could threaten to turn the action scenes into cheesy John Woo style set pieces, where the action scenes look more like a karaoke video, but Desai and Raj wisely keep a sense of humour to the proceedings. Possibly the strangest and most striking action moment comes towards the end. At one point Amitabh Bachchan is thrown against a table. Suddenly, the frame freezes. A title appears on the screen: "Amitabh Bachchan was seriously injured during this shot". The freeze frame ends, and the scene continues as if nothing had happened! Apparently there really is something for everyone, action, music, and even news!

Unfortunately, it's impossible for me to explore the film as deeply as I would like to here, but I wouldn't want to finish before briefly discussing Amitabh Bachchan's star persona. I understand why he is a legend in India. He absolutely commands this film. From his introduction (a hawk lands on his arm, and the camera slowly pans to reveal his face), even those not familiar with him know they are in store for something special. Bachchan proves himself to be adept at not only fierce action, but comedy as well, as evidenced by a goofy but funny scene where his female captive tricks him into getting his legs stuck over his head. Now I'm not trying to say that Bachchan is God's gift to the art of acting, but he does what he does well, and there is no denying that, regardless of your usual cinematic tastes (I'm more partial to Ray, Ghatak, and Sen films myself), Coolie is superior entertainment.

Coolie review:

2nd December 1983 was most awaited day for Indian movie buffs, particularly Amitabh Bachchan fans. Manmohan Desai's Coolie was releasing on that day - a film which had attracted immense attention even before its release due to Bachchan's near fatal accident while shooting it. The particular scene required the screen baddie Punit Issar to punch him in the stomach and then Amitabh was to roll over on a table. Unfortunately, the punch got mistimed and hit Bachchan hard and he got further hurt on the iron table rupturing his intestines.

The entire India, including the then PM Indira Gandhi and his close friend Rajiv Gandhi, paid visits to Breach Candy hospital and prayed for the superstar's speedy recovery. After many months, Bachchan was back on his feet, quite frail and weak but re-shooting the film from that very same scene. Manmohan Desai (Manji as he was affectionately called) froze the movie frame with a note stating "This is the shot in which Amitabh Bachchan was seriously injured" to let his audience know the exact unfortunate moment.

Coolie was sold out for weeks in advance and getting tickets was next to impossible. A two to three rupees ticket was black marketed for a whopping three hundred rupees!! Badal Bijlee, Matunga was perennially housefull so my parents took me to Capitol Cinema opposite CST (then VT) and I still remember the entire audience at Capitol just stood up and clapped loudly for minutes as Amitabh made his grand onscreen entry walking on top of a train with an eagle in hand. It was a great gesture to welcome him back on screen after this accident. The film became a blockbuster hit and ran for multiple weeks at Capitol where films wouldn't last for a week or two. The main theatre was of course Alankar at Gol Deval where the film completed a golden jubilee run. Manji even refused to give Alankar Cinema to Prakash Mehra for Sharaabi (1984) though Coolie had completed a silver jubilee. It lead to an argument between the two rival filmmakers.

As a standalone product, Coolie was quite underwhelming compared to Manji's other hits like Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Naseeb (1981). It was the standard lost and found formula with the separated child growing to be a railway coolie who then takes on the perpetuators and also finds his family in the end. Ths film also had a strong communist undertone where Amitabh held the hammer and sickle in the posters. But nobody cared about all that. Coolie was Amitabh's triumph over death and the whole India celebrated it wholeheartedly!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

I had to review this movie as I noticed a guy named sylvan de Souza was comparing Coolie with Singh is King. These days any tom dick and harry are reviewers. Comparing Coolie with Singh is King is like comparing Titanic (Box office Blockbuster and Critical Hit, Classic) with Master and Commander (Box office hit and critical hit at the time, but now long forgotten). I guess that guy Sylvan does Not understand that Coolie was a Enormous hit World wide. I got African and Arabic friends who say Coolie is like their favourite film, a legend of a movie in so many countries in Africa, Europe and the Arab world. It may be loud and over the top with lots of co incidences, but that's what Manmohan desai films are all about. Entertainment is the reason most people all over the world watch a movie. Its what makes money in the box office. Unfortunately Art films don't make huge money. Coolie is commercial entertainment cinema from the 80s at its best. One of the best Big B Films. Especially when he runs of the platform. Apparently women went mad at his macho style. Quote Malika Sherawat at Koffee with Karan

I was blown away with movie when I saw its first time in 1995 .. and probably it was my 2nd or 3rd Amitabh bachchan movie back then. I became instant fan .. the persona, the larger than life presence, the voice, Best Entry scene ever , the comic timing, Dance sequence, fights .. everything simply blow me .. probably first time I became fan of any actor and I was 14 years old in 1995. Its fifteen years .. and I have seen all movies of Amitabh bachchan, no need to say bachchan movies are treasure of sort .. but Coolie is still my All time favorite, I have seen more than 100 times, have VHS, CD, DVD .. all formats at home, and still buy any DVD/CD if found any new cover .. :) Such a crazy fan of this movie.

Coming to review .. This is probably ONLY movie in this world which made on life of Coolie .. Entire movie and each scene is attributed towards them only including songs. Movie is so true to its subject(coolie) yet so much entertaining. Right from entry scene of Iqbaal(Amitabh) to Climax .. movie packs a SOLID punch of entertainment. Some best scenes :

1. Zafar breaking DAM and flood scene 2. Zafar Kidnapping Salma 3. Puneet Issar trying to kill Iqbaal(Kid) and breaking hands of Mama. 4. Iqbaal(Amitabh) Entry scene 5. Coolie on Strike 6. Strike ends and "Saari duniya ka bhoj" song. 7. Mujhe Peene Ka Shaunk Nahi Song 8. Amitabh and Rishi first confrontation 9. Lambu Ji Tingu Ji Song 10. Iqbaal taking coolies to Puri and Vicky house 11. Iqbaal kidnapping Rati and Omelet scene 12. Umbrella Scene and Amitabh proposing Rati 13. Rati Confession of love to Amitabh followed by "Dono Jawani Ki Masti" Song 14. Coolies getting their Home and Chitfund fight scene where Amitabh hurt 15. Amitabh met his mother Salma 16. Salma shot bullet and Hazi Ali sequence 17. Rishi get to know about his identity. 18. Amitabh electing and Climax speech sequence between Amitabh, Zafar and Salma. 19. Climax fight and Amitabh shot bullets 20. Amitabh rescued and saved .. and his final thanks to Audience.

Background score and Music is another high point .. Specially BG music during Amitabh Entry scene and Climax scene when he was shot dead .. is SUPERB.

I can watch Coolie umpteen number of times .. this is wholesome timeless entertainer. A MUST watch for all Bollywood and masala movies fans. Best Masala movie ever made .. even better than Amar Akbar Anthony.

I have seen this movie more than 40 times, it's one of my all time favorite. Amithab Is so good in this movie. He is good in the comedy part where he put his legs over his head and gets stuck. and the last part when he gets shoot and still prays to good and kills the bad guy. it' a cool movie