Banjaran

Banjaran review :

After Karz (1980), this is another reincarnation drama starring Rishi Kapoor; Banjaran was directed by Harmesh Malhotra and starred his favorite Sridevi in the lead. The plot revolved around a reincarnated couple who rekindle their past lives' romance but meet with opposition this time as well..

Rishi- Sridevi looked convincing as long lost lovers and their chemistry was as good as in Chandni (1989) and Malhotra's own super hit Nagina (1986). Laxmikant Pyarelal composed a couple of hummable songs particularly "Teri banjaran rasta dekhe.. kabhi aayega mere banjaare" rose up the popularity charts.

At the box office, Banjaran clashed with Ramesh Sippy's much awaited Akayla and suffered in the bargain. Infact, both the Diwali 1991 releases underperformed at the box office becoming just about average grossers. Most analysts call this film a disaster which it actually wasn't as it recovered its costs mainly from the northen interiors.

Sridevi looked extremely beautiful as the gypsy (banjaran) and delivered a highly competent performance but it got overshadowed by Yash Chopra's Lamhe (1991) releasing a few weeks later which got her tremendous acclaim and accolades. And rightly so!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.