Jagte Raho

The film "Jaagte Raho" starts with Raj Kapoor, a poor person looking to quench his thirst. Thirsty, he enters an apartment building where he is branded as a thief and is constantly on the run. Ironically, where ever he hides, he meets other so called "reputable" citizens who all are equal to thieves. The film captures the corruption rampant in the society and rips apart the moral fabric that shields the upper echelons of society. The protagonist isn't a criminal, but he is treated like one, which is quite comparable to the real world. The film exposes a range of vices while at the same time remaining funny. The theme which the film showcases could have happened anywhere. The protagonist is the generic poor man to whom society has bestowed little. Raj Kapoor gave a fine performance as the peasant, even though he hardly has a few dialogues in the film, but his face speaks for itself. The film is brilliantly done. The supporting cast of Motilal and Pradeep are also good. The film is both a comedy and a tragedy. It makes you laugh and then makes you cry at the pitiable state of society.

What worked:

• screenplay is relevant and fresh, and can be analyzed in any generation. The movie theme is powerful, engaging and brutal. The lead actor has shown grace and depth to the character which makes it a believable narrative. The story is unique and powerful storytelling makes it a wonderful watch.

What did not work:

• glorified scenes and setting; maybe many scenes of the movie are superficial and feels like an unreal setting. The chase and run scenes feel repetitive and less creative. However, the final result of the movie is a powerful watch.

Final verdict: recommended

Jagtey Raho is filmmaking and story telling at its best. Plot is just one liner. An innocent man(Raaj Kapoor) arrives from village in the city and he is in search of water in the middle of the night. He enters a society and is mistaken for a thief.

Raj Kapoor's innocence on his face is absolutely treat to watch and it's amazing how comfortable he is in the role of a poor and innocent man. His eyes and his expressions tells u so much, without even speaking much.

The society where this innocent man enters is house for almost thousand of people and everyone is from different sections of the society. The film also exposes our double standard society and thinking of people.

And this innocent man is suprised and shocked to see the truth of so called civilized society people, their fightings and their differences. Raj Kapoor's character doesnt't have dialouges but he emotes so much from his eyes. Almost every thing on his face is readable.

There is humor and comic timings in the story as well which keeps us entertained but above all, the thrill element in this story has been exectued very well.

The last half hour of the movie is absolute classic. And how the innocent man(Raj Kapoor) yells at the public is just treat to watch.

The film expopses our so called civilized society.

This Movie is a masterpiece.Why? The user before me already explained before me. I am from Bengal & Satyajit Ray obviously occupies a very high place in my heart. But Raj Kapoor was also unparalleled in his own domain. First person to introduce dream sequence in a song, First person to shoot a movie outside of his country & finally Bobby the movie which ushered in the whole era of teen romance. This movie exposes the mask that the so called good people wear in our society , the sanctimonious ones with holier than thou attitudes. However one thing I have to say about this that the Bengali version is just brilliant. Role which is played by Motilal in the Hindi Version is played by Chabbi Biswas. Chabbi Biswas if anyone has seen him will know that he was& still is the best actor in India.He was an actor of caliber who told Ray, when he was been instructed by Ray in the movie Jalshaghar, that not to tell him what his job was. Coming back to the movie if anyone manages to watch the Bengali version of this movie please do.Its way better than the Hindi Version.

"Jagte Raho," a cinematic gem from 1956, is a profound social commentary wrapped in the guise of a gripping drama. Directed by Amit Maitra and Sombhu Mitra, and written by the legendary K. A. Abbas, the film stars Raj Kapoor in a role that is as endearing as it is significant.

The narrative follows the plight of a simple villager, portrayed with remarkable nuance by Kapoor, who ventures into the city with hopes of a better life. His quest for a mere sip of water lands him in an apartment complex, where he is mistaken for a thief. This misunderstanding sets off a chain of events that exposes the hypocrisy and corruption of the urban middle class.

"Jagte Raho" is a film that transcends time, with themes as relevant today as they were in the 1950s. The performances are stellar, with Kapoor leading a cast that includes the talented Nargis in a memorable cameo. The direction is masterful, weaving a narrative that is both intimate and expansive.

The music, composed by Salil Choudhury, with lyrics by Shailendra and Prem Dhawan, is another highlight. The songs, including the iconic "Zindagi Khawab Hai," performed by Mukesh, add a lyrical depth to the film's poignant storytelling.

The film's climax is particularly striking, offering a resolution that is both hopeful and heartrending. "Jagte Raho" won the Crystal Globe Grand Prix at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, a testament to its universal appeal and enduring legacy1.

In summary, "Jagte Raho" is not just a film; it's a powerful exploration of human nature and societal flaws. It's a must-watch for anyone who appreciates cinema that challenges, entertains, and enlightens.