Jawani Diwani

Caught the movie today on YouTube and gotta say, it is still fairly relative and was made modernly although directed in the early 70s. The grownups against the choice of youngsters and misunderstanding them, where they themselves had been in a similar situation when they were young.

And not to mention the songs! Such amazing songs.

Good work by Randhir ji and Jaya ji, catch the movie just for songs if not for the story.

Also so good to see so many actors who sadly are no more among us. Balraj Sahni the legend, Iftekar the eternal cop. And good to see Nirupa Roy in a happy role (sort of) and refreshing to see her not as a widow.

Jawani Diwani was a landmark comedy primarily because of RD Burman's fast, pounding and melodious score. RD Burman was such a genius; his musical legacy will live on forever. When his music combined with the voices of either Kishore or Asha (or both), the result was electrifying. A case in point is this movie.

Kishore gives the start with the energetic and beautifully sung "Samne Kaun Aya". He later also executes the title song "Yeh Jawani" in his unique comic style (Kishore was said to have the unique ability to put himself right in the shoes of the actor for whom he was doing the singing). However, it is the combination of Kishore with Asha on "Aa Jane Ja" that creates one of the most memorable songs of Indian cinema. The picturization of the song is perfect, there is a sense of mystery in both the setting, the voice and the music. This one song will keep on ringing in your ears long after hearing it and, to my knowledge, is being remixed now over and over again by so many.

In so far the plot is concerned, this is the simple story of boy (Randhir Kapoor) meets girl (Jaya Badhuri) at school, with the usual problems with parents. However, the acting is great. A special note goes to the great Satyen Kappu who gives, in my opinion, his most comical performance ever (as the DJ friend of Randhir Kapoor) in two scene-stealing pieces: first, when he impersonates Randhir Kapoor's father to meet the boy's teacher, and later when he meets Jaya's father.

In short, you have here everything that a great Indian movie is made of: a good story, very good acting and excellent music.