Johny Mera Naam

Johnny Mera Naam is perhaps Vijay Anand's best directed movie. Released in 1970, this movie went on to cause a stir as did the music as it was considered to be beyond its time.

Two brothers,Sohan and Mohan, both studying in the same school, have entered the school boxing competition. When the final comes it the two brothers find out that they are fighting each other. Sohan is declared winner but the match is continued at home and the mother tells them that they should wait for their father. Mohan, the elder, being impatient, goes to see his father - a police officer. Instead he witnesses a smuggler by the name of Heera murdering his father. He then tries to catch him by chasing him and lends up hiding in his car.

Years pass by and Sohan becomes an Police inspector and wanting to catch smugglers, he lands himself in a cell with the man who had murdered his father, Heera and introduces himself as "Johnny." He later escapes and meets up with a contact that he had been informed about by Heera - a female by the name of Rekha.

The movie stars the ever green Dev Anand, Hema Malini, Pran, Premnath, Ifteqar and I.S. Johar. The story is good but more than that is the direction by the late Vijay Anand. But the acting by all and especially the comic side by the late I.S. Johar, is absolutely brilliant. The songs to listen out for are "O Mere Raja," "Baabul Pyaare," "Nafrat Karne Waaloh" and "Parbhal Keliye" - they are most memorable as is the music by Kalyanji - Anandji.

I recently saw this movie after a very long time and was in tears as it brought back floods of memories and especially especially childhood ones. This is a movie that is worth watching.

Mother of many masala pot boilers from the 1970s. And better than them all. Typical characters from the 1970s, but far better sketched. Vijay Anand is the best suited person to make movies for the Indian audience.

Review By Kamal K

What a director vijay anand was..magnificent editing and direction and still looks super fast movie. He was genious. Superb acting from Dev Anand Saab and premnath and is johar. Unforntunetly dev Anand took direction in his hands for his latter movies and the golden partnership ends. But before that they gave masterpieces like guide jwel thief and Johnny mera naam.

This is a great film. Perhaps Vijay Anand's best. Of course, Guide is a terrific film too but Johny Mera Naam is something special. It's way way ahead of it's time. It's thrilling, emotional, funny, cool and action packed. And it's got great music, stupendous performances and a zing from the very first frame when the titles drip red.

Johny defies synopsis. IT's a convoluted and totally incredible story and yet it's seamless, pacy and a ton of fun.

I've seen it over a dozen times on screen. Till a few years back,in the pre multiplex, pre cable times, we used to have matinée shows of old films at reduced rates.

I wish one could see it no screen today. But it's equally enjoyable on TV too. Johny Mera Naam and Deewaar (Yash Chopra's) are two of the best screenplays of the Hindi mainstream cinema.

This this a Hindi film starring Dev Anand, Pran and Hema Malini.

I began watching the film with low expectations. And ended up being amazed by the script, direction, music and comedy. What a complete entertainer!!

Do not get bogged by the 2hr 45 min length. Watch the full version with all the twists in the tale. Time also has gone into the songs, but they are all hummable tunes and each fitting into the storyline. Note that this was the biggest box office hit of the year!!

IS Johar is a laugh riot in the film and Dev Anand, Pran and Premnath perform well. But I think the biggest credit goes into the direction by Vijay Anand and it's a tragedy that the industry didn't get many many more creations from him after this.