Johny 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 is a simple, lost brothers who finally unite, formula movie, but what makes it watchable are some great movie moments. I don't think many people know who Padma Khanna is(poor man's Mumtaz) but her sexy dance will blow you away. Trust me it is unique and has never been done before or since. And then there is that beautiful song - "Babul Pyaree" - every daughter's memorable song. One of the most heart pulling song ever pictured. Another favorite song of mine is the bhakti song - "Govind Bolo Hari gopal bolo".

There are other memorable movie moments like when Dev Anand says that he has been following the daughter so that she would lead him to her father only to realize that the daughter was also trying desperately to reach her father.

If you like Dev Anand and Pran's incredible voice plus some good acting this movie is a must see. Trust me, you will rewind the tape to watch Padma Khanna. Little known fact: Dara Singh's brother has a small role in this movie.

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.

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.

JOHNY MERA NAAM is a superbly amusing action thriller that, right from its banger musical score to the production design right down to the story beats, evokes the vibrancy and nostalgia of 1970s Bollywood. Vijay Anand borrows some elements from his previous classic JEWEL THIEF to craft this equally captivating tale that's filled with smugglers, secret identities, long-lost family members, compelling romance, enticing Bollywood-style melodrama, harmless comedy and engrossing plot filled with thrills and phenomenal performances. The most impressive thing is that the film juggles everything with awesome panache, and even though there is a lot going on, the great direction and amazing pace makes sure that everything remains fairly simple to follow. I have already said it, but again, this film's album is terrific. The due of Kalyanji and Anandji made the album by fusing western style with Indian instruments, and in process created one of the most unique and timeless music in Bollywood history.

While not a groundbreaker in any sense, but a wonderful screenplay, gritty atmosphere, polished action choreography and giving a modern aesthetic to the action-thriller genre in the industry, this film more than earns its status as a classic of Bollywood.