Jugnu

Ashok Roy (dharmendra) is rich, popular, and of good character. He runs an orphanage. Seema, the niece of a police inspector, is engaged to Ramesh, but is attracted to Ashok, especially when she finds he gives generously to charity. Ramesh (Prem Chopra) is in fact a villain, working for Ajit in order to maintain his fictitious life as a fake grandson of Rai Bahadur Jwala Prasad. Ramesh attempts to murder Ashok, and kidnap Seema. Ashok survives and determines to rescue and marry Seema, but a mysterious statue holds the clue that in fact Ashok is both the real "lost" grandson and "Jugnu" (The Glowworm) - a robber..

Dharmendra hits his stride in this exciting Bollywood action melodrama where he plays a rich man masquerading as Jugnu (Firefly), a part Robin Hood type character, and part James Bond desh premee hero, who is, unknown to him, a heir to millions. As you can tell, it's influenced by James Bond and heist films and is full of fights, car chases, gadgets and a villain with a steel hand with a blade attached. The villainy is high-level - you got three of them - Prem Chopra, Ajit and Manmohan Desai - and of course, you got Pran, but he's a good guy. There's also romance, nice songs and music background. Dharmendra is at the top of his form, and is equally good at romance, action and dialogue. Hema Malini is beautiful and her chemistry with Garam Dharam is amazing.

The year 1973 turned out to be one of the most remarkable years in Dharmendra's cinematic history.He proved that he had greater efficiency,electrifying charisma and a more effective star-power than the then fading superstar Rajesh Khanna by knocking him out from the number one spot.He became the hottest star at the box-office from then on delivering hits after hits that also included Yaadon ki Baarat,Kahani kismat ki and loafer.In fact out of the top ten hits for that year,six of Dharmendra's films were present.Jugnu was the second most successful film of the year after bobby earning super-duper hit status.it was extremely successful at the box office running for 50 consecutive weeks.Jugnu became one of the most thrilling entertainers of its time.Dharmendra and Hema Malini's chemistry was tagged the Awesome-twosome.This is one of few films in which almost all the songs were marvellous. Who would forget Chote Chote (performed beautifully by Dharmendra Dil Gaya Chamka and many more.you really need to see this movie, dharam is indeed a one-man treat.he gave an outstanding performance.The climax where dharmendra returns from prison and meets hema singing the same Chote Chote song to the children is indeed overwhelming.i loved when they hugged and pran looks on.due credit must also be given to the director,Pramod for treating the audience to a spectacular billing.Watch out for dharmendra's comedy scenes in typical punjabi dialect, Truly Fantastic.He once again highlighted is unrivalled versatility.Ajit and Prem Chopra are convincing as villains.Mehmood rocks all the way.Hema is pure class.A true classic of the 70's.

Jugnu (1973) : Brief Review -

Before Dhoom 2 and Kick, there was Jugnu. A classic Robin Hood role for Dharmendra in a near-classic heist-action-adventure-drama. I am a huge fan of Douglas Fairbanks and Errol Flynn's "The Adventures of Robinhood" from old Hollywood, and seeing those formulaic Robinhood tales over the years has been a joyful experience. Bollywood cracking a similar thing in the 70s was a different experience because of contemporary mass appeal. It wasn't the first time in Indian cinema or Bollywood; we had done it before, but the commercial aspects weren't that high. Jugnu is a fine example of a big-scale presentation of the classic Robin Hood tale, getting an extended version and a high energy booster. Handsome Dharmendra, the he-man of Bollywood, fit so well in the role like he was born to play it. A superb opening scene of a train robbery, flirting with that sexy girl, having another personality of a gentleman with a big heart who is living for orphans, falling in love with a beautiful girl (Hema Malini), who is supposed to marry the son of her dad's friend, who happens to be the same man she falls in love with, unknowingly, the man not letting know his identity to her, the classic lost and found formula of son and father, social service, exciting chase sequences, high octane action sequences, heist part, and after all this, you don't expect the heroine to come and save the hero, but she does and so perfectly because she had mastered those arts (helicopter and shooting). What a juggernaut! Why don't we make such films nowadays? SD Burman sir has given such good music, with two songs topping the list: Tera Peechha Na Chhodunga and Gir Gaya Jhumka. Three writers came together to write a script based on ancient material, which, perhaps, is the best thing written in this marvelous mix of 4-5 genres. Pramod Chakravorthy directed it with so much conviction that it adds a timeless value to it. Now, this is a heist, action, and adventure drama we should all HYPE.

RATING - 7.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.