Deewana

First, before one watches this film, one must remember it was one of Shah Rukh Khans first films, filmed in 1992. Therefore, it may seem a bit dated. The clothes, hairstyles (all but SRKs, as his hair is classic and timeless...lol), and dance routines may all seem a bit odd at first, but you soon get use to it, as one would watching a Hollywood film from the sixties.

The viewer must also remember that Shah Rukh Khan is not the star of the film, Kapoor is the star, all be it, an ageing one. Which does make it a bit difficult to believe he could be the love interest and object of desire of young girls. You will have to wait a while before Shah Rukh finally appears on screen, but trust me, it will be well worth the wait.

Although at times one must suspend disbelief through must of the film,this is a very sweet film.

During the eighties, a talented youth from Delhi started his acting career through TV serials and got popular through serials like Fauji and Circus. Then he got a break in the Hindi movie industry established in Mumbai(then Bombay) which was his ultimate aim. Popular heroine turned producer Hema Malini signed him for her first directorial venture which was titled as Dil Aashna Hai casting him opposite a very young girl who had already become a star in her own right. This girl was Divya Bhaarti and this boy was Shah Rukh Khan now fondly called as SRK in the cine-world.

However prior to Dil Aashna Hai, another movie signing these two got released first and is now credited as Shah Rukh Khan's debut movie. It's Deewaana(1992). Thus despite Dil Aashna Hai being Shah Rukh Khan's first signed movie, Deewaana became his first released movie. Cast opposite very pretty and extremely popular teenager Divya Bhaarti only, Shah Rukh Khan is an angle of this triangular love story. Another angle has been played by extremely popular romantic hero of Bollywood movies - Rishi Kapoor who had already touched the peak of his career by the time of this movie. Thus this movie stars RK, Divya and SRK in principal roles. Directed by Raj Kanwar, it was a box office hit and its music composed by Nadeem Shravan was even a bigger hit with the songs being hummed by the romantic ones even today. It has deficiencies in the script and its picturization but its pluses especially the great music appeal and the extra-ordinary performances make up for them.

The story of Deewaana(crazy) starts with the romance of Ravi(Rishi Kapoor) who is a popular singer and from a very rich family with Kaajal(Divya Bhaarti) who is a dancer. They get married and start living happily when the trouble strikes due to the greedy and scheming uncle of Ravi - Dheerendra Prataap(Amrish Puri) who masterminds the killing of Ravi, leaving Kaajal as widow, adjusting with her life with the support of her loving mother-in-law - Laksmi Devi(Sushma Seth). Now comes the main twist in the tale.

Relocated to another city with Lakshmi Devi, Kaajal comes across a happy-go-lucky youth Raaja(Shah Rukh Khan) and despite her reluctance to marry, she finally gets married to him, succumbing to his true love for her and the pressure of her mother-in-law who wants her very young daughter-in-law to live a normal life again. Gradually the things start getting normalized for Kaajal when the cruel joke of destiny comes to the fore.

Ravi returns alive after struggling between life and death for a very long time. He becomes Raaja's friend but is shocked to find his wife Kaajal as Raaja's wife now. Kaajal is virtually dumbfound to find her first husband(and the first love of her life as well) as alive. This new fact is so baffling and brings such a storm in Kaajal's life that Lakshmi Devi can't even rejoice the return of the only son of hers. How this puzzle of life can be resolved now for all these three protagonists? The solution can be utterly filmy only with the villains roaming around, smelling the main characters like blood-hounds.

This story of Saagar Sarhadi is good but its presentation on the screen is not that great. Sometimes, too many good songs also become a problem because they are to be adjusted in the script, creating situations for them. That is one reason for the lacklustre narrative. Besides, the director(Raj Kanwar) also could not do justice to the story and a proper balance between the screen time of the three main characters could not be ensured.

Still if are able to enjoy the movie, then it is because of two things. Firstly, the music composed by Nadeem Shravan is extra-ordinary. Sochenge Tumhen Pyar Karen Ki Nahin, Teri Ummeed Tera Intezaar Karte Hain, Paayaliya, Aisi Deewaangee, Koi Na Koi Chaahiye Pyar Karne Waala, Teri Isi Ada Pe Sanam Humko To Pyar Aaya, Tere Dard Se Dil Aabaad Raha: every song is a treat to listen to. Kumar Sanu, Vinod Rathod, Alka Yagnik and Saadhana Sargam have given their voices to these enchanting songs. To be frank, many of these songs hinder the flow of the story but the quality of music(and choreography also) alongwith the lyrics(by Sameer) is so good that they are, in fact, a solid reason to watch this movie.

Secondly, the performances of the lead characters are simply superb. Rishi Kapoor has been a great actor and he has done his part well here also. Despite the significant age difference, his pair with Divya Bhaarti appears quite lovely. Shah Rukh Khan has proved in this first big screen appearance of himself that he's the horse of a long race. He has displayed his sentiments with commendable control of expressions. And finally, it's Divya Bhaarti who is the heart and soul of this movie, dazzling in an author-backed role. Barely 18 years old at the time of this movie, she is so charming that this movie can be watched many times for herself only. The supporting cast including the negative characters, is routine.

Technically, the movie is all right. Dialogs, background score, action and thrills, cinematography and art direction; almost everything is satisfactory. Several scenes are a visual treat. Length is definitely on the higher side and should have been curtailed.

Divya Bhaarti passed away(it's said that she committed suicide) at the tender age of 19 years in 1993, rendering a permanent throb to the hearts of millions of her admirers including myself. If not for the dashing heroes, if not for the memorable music and if not for the entertainment contained; please do watch this movie for the sake of the very beautiful Divya Bhaarti. In this movie Rishi Kapoor loves her, Shah Rukh Khan loves her, so will you.

It was a really good movie. Has a good story with a good screenplay. Performances of the cast are good. Good songs. A big plot twist as well. Definitely a must watch.

Shah Rukh Khan's debut from Television Star to Movie Star was a great surprise! Rishi Kapoor and the late Divya Bharti did a wonderful job as did our hero SRK who is looking mighty hot, young and full of energy in this action/love story. It is fun to go back and watch the styles of the movies made in the 80's and early 90's. They can have cliché's and corny scenes sometimes but they are still fun to watch. This movie is about a jealous uncle played by Puri who comes between the love story of Kapoor and Bharti. Shah Rukh Khan enters the movie at the right time to save the day and the rest is action packed and enjoyable. Watch this movie if you are a fan of SRK or Bharti who did a fine job. The songs were good and the dance number of Aisi Deewangi is always a fun watch! Also just to set the record straight, Shah Rukh Khan did NOT crown himself as the Baadshah of Bollywood, that was a title he has earned which anyone can truly see why if you just watch the line of work he has done from Deewana to Don!

Srk's first film had to be DIL AASHNA HAI(1992) but DEEWANA released before DAH was Hema Malini's directorial debut too while the film got delayed and bombed

DEEWANA was a hit and it was Raj Kanwar's directorial debut too

The film is divided in 2 chapters The first half shows a romance between an aged 40+ plus and chubby and fat Rishi kapoor and newcomer and perplexed late Divya Bharati the romance isn't too involving and the songs too are too many yet the turn of events are well handled

The second half focuses on SRK who loves the widow Divya Bharati and he marries her but as soon as they get close to each other Rishi returns and the rest is a clichéd Hindi film

The film is well handled by Raj Kanwar though clichéd and formula driven yet the drama and the romance(in parts) is well handled

Music is a winner, most songs are a rage though too many songs

Rishi looks too fat and old for his role but acts well Divya is okay, she wasn't too a great actress and looked too wooden as an actress yet here she does quite okay SRK for his debut is sincere and i miss this SRK nowdays he plays his part well though he was too awkward and there were rough edges Amrish Puri plays his 100000000th villain role Mohinish Behl is adequate Alok Nath is okay Sushma Seth is typecast