I saw this film as a child and loved it. This is rarely shown on TV nowadays but I wanted to catch it up. So I downloaded the movie from the net and man! I loved every bit of this tense thriller.
The story is of a young man Ravi (Amitabh) who suffers from repeated seizures. He comes to know of his brain tumor. His doctor says that an operation can save his life but has high risk of paralyzing his physical or mental capabilities. With only 6 months to live, Ravi hatches a plan that can lead him to the gallows but earn him a princely sum that can take care of his widowed mother, wheelchair-bound sister (Farida Jalal) and a kid brother. He confesses to having killed a rich man and maneuvers a way that will make the prize money go to his family members.
Ravi's plan works out and he is sentenced a death penalty. A month after wards, he has a seizure in jail and passes out. The doctors operate on his tumor and remove it successfully. But then, Ravi knows that he is not destined to live too long. With little assurance from his lawyer friend, Ravi escapes from hospital and with the help of his sweetheart (Parveen Babi), sets out to catch the real killer and prove his innocence. In the way, he comes across a stranger (Pran) who might be the real killer.
Four things stand out in Majboor.
The terrific direction of Ravi Tandon. The man has ably directed the film minus the clichés and emotional drama that marked many of the '70s Hindi films. Direction is taut and to the point with little scope for nonsense. The breathtaking climax only shows how capable Tandon is as a director.
The story, script and dialogs by Salim-Javed are other high points. Minus the stereotypes, the film is flawless and shows emotions without any excess.
Big B. Yes, how could we forget the MAN, the institution who has redefined Hindi cinema with his natural acting? Watch out for his seizure scenes and his confrontation with Macmohan in the curio shop. The man is in terrific form here and ably shows the anguish, grief and Majboori (compulsion) of a man who has become a victim of fate.
Pran. Yes, I have always felt that the man comes at his best with Bachchan by his side and he again proves that here. Watch the climax and you will agree why he deserves to be called the real hero of Majboor.
Among the rest of the cast, everyone is good. Be it the amazingly beautiful Parveen Babi, the cute Farida Jalal or the smart Iftekhar (in yet another cop role), everyone is at his or her best.
Go watch "Majboor". This is one terrific thriller that was successful at the BO but did not get the recognition of a Zanjeer or a Deewar (probably because Big B was not given too much heroism to show here). However, it deserves to be watched again and again. A good whodunit and a classic thriller.
