Laawaris

Amitabh stars as the "Lawaaris" Heera referred to in the title of the film. A boy, abandoned at birth, sent to be raised by a drunken bum. He grows to be a man who cares for others, while trying to find out his meaning in life. He encounters many obstacles in the way, such as a public beating. The songs are great. The movie has its share of action, but moreover has superb acting. I give it a 9 out of 10

This is a Bollywood film titled "The Orphan". Thus the plot is a given: our hero will follow a winding road toward the ultimate discovery of his true father, and along the way he will discover his true nature. Alienation will be undone by solidarity. The poor and downtrodden will have their champion. One love interest will meet her untimely demise, and another will have her man.

Our first glimpse of our hero as an adult is as a walking trope of machismo: coveralls open to the waist revealing a chest of dark black hair. One of our final glances reveals a side of the big B that I surely did not expect. The penultimate musical number features Amitabh in drag, with five costume changes, and he's damned good at it. The film is worth the watch for this sequence alone.

Prakash Mehra and Amitabh Bachchan were a hit combo and made some of Amitabh's memorable hits like ZANJEER (1973), HERA PHERI (1976) and MUQADDAR KA SIKANDAR (1978)

In this film Amitabh is an orphan but the son of a very rich man (Amjad Khan) who dumped Amitabh's mother Raakhee A unique story well handled

Amitabh's emotions are well-handled during the film Amjad Khan is given a positive role for once after Gabbar Singh in SHOLAY (1975)

Amitabh makes the best of his role Zeenat Aman is good Shreeman Lagoo is funny Ranjeet is OK Suresh Oberoi does well in his mini role Amjad Khan excels

The lovers Vidya (Rakhee) and Ranvir ( Amjad Khan) meet. Vidya becomes pregnant. While he insists on abortion Vidya insists that she will give birth to the child, bring him up and wait for his return into her life. Ranvir leaves her. Vidya dies with the impression that her child was still-born, but the child grows up into a man (Amitabh), without a family name, a man without education and without any values. As years roll by, Ranvir repents, becomes a saintly, generous and highly respected man in the legitimate society. Fate brings the father and his first son face to face, though they do not know how they are related.

1981 was, in my opinion, a golden year for Bollywood, a peak level where quality was coming out and a technical improvement was visible. It was also a year where Amitabh knocked out a line of hits, and Lawaaris is certainly one of them. A seriously solid drama with the usual masala ingredients, though the intensity comes from Amitabh, who is just so convincing as a man who doesn't know who his parents are. He is intense, angry yet is full of sorrow on occasion. His acting is superb, and matching him is Amjad Khan.

The rest of the cast is great, and the write-up is skilful with sharp dialogue and an engaging plot. It's definitely Amitabh's finest. An entertainer that has some meaning, and has Ranjeet donning some outrageous leather outfits and giving the women nightmares ( like usual).

Lawaaris is a classic Hindi film released in 1981, directed by Prakash Mehra. It features, Rakhee Gulzar,Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman and Amjad Khan. The movie tells the story of a young boy, Heera, who is abandoned by his mother and left to grow up in a slum. As he matures, Heera seeks to discover the identity of his real father.

"Lawaaris" received critical acclaim upon its release and became a commercial success. Here is a review of the film:

The film's biggest strength lies in its powerful performances, particularly by Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role. Bachchan delivers a stellar performance as Heera, portraying his character's emotional journey with depth and intensity. He effortlessly portrays the struggles and conflicts faced by Heera as he navigates through life, torn between his loyalty to the people who raised him and his search for his biological father. His on-screen presence and charisma elevate the film to another level.

The screenplay is well-written, capturing the essence of the socio-economic disparities prevalent in society. It addresses the themes of identity, belonging, and the importance of family bonds. The film's narrative takes several twists and turns, keeping the audience engaged throughout. The dialogues are impactful and memorable, with some iconic lines that have become part of Bollywood's lexicon.

The music of "Lawaaris" is another highlight. The film boasts a fantastic soundtrack composed by Kalyanji-Anandji, with lyrics penned by Anjaan. The songs like "Mere Angne Mein," "Kab Ke Bichhde Hue," and the title track "Apni Toh Jaise Taise" have become evergreen hits, and they continue to be loved by audiences even today. The music adds depth to the storytelling and enhances the overall cinematic experience.

The direction by Prakash Mehra is commendable, as he skillfully combines drama, emotions, and action to create an engaging narrative. The film's pacing is well-maintained, and the climax delivers a satisfying resolution to the central conflict. Mehra's direction, combined with strong performances and an impactful storyline, makes "Lawaaris" a compelling watch.

One minor drawback of the film is that some of the subplots could have been better developed. While the primary storyline involving Heera is engaging, a few secondary characters and their arcs feel underexplored. Nevertheless, this does not detract significantly from the overall impact of the film.

Overall, "Lawaaris" is a timeless Hindi film that showcases the prowess of Amitabh Bachchan and the storytelling abilities of director Prakash Mehra. It combines powerful performances, memorable music, and a compelling narrative to create an entertaining and thought-provoking cinematic experience. If you appreciate classic Bollywood films, "Lawaaris" is certainly worth watching.