Sharaabi

I think Sharabi is Amitabh Bachchan greatest ever performance as an actor. I have seen Deewar many times, Agneepath comes close.

But for sheer acting he displayed in this film i think this has to be his greatest ever performance. The way he acts as a semi-drunk throughout the film and the dialouges he delivers are the stuff of legend.

I know bollywood is going through a re-make trend. I urge film-makers NOT to ever remake this film. It is almost impossible! I would really feel sorry for the actor if a remake is ever made. Whoever the actor maybe he will get humiliated in a the re-make. Amitabh has given his career best performance which can never be matched by any other actor from India.

The 80s is known as one of the worst decade for Indian 'masala' films. However, there are a few exceptions and 'Sharaabi' is one of them. While watching the movie one ought to keep in mind that 'Sharaabi' is a 'masala' movie and thus it ought not to be taken too seriously (a mistake many have made). It has all the masala ingredients that make a successful entertainer.

Prakash Mehra's screenplay is quite interesting. It is overall melodramatic but on a level that works. Kader Khan's dialogues are outstanding. This multitalented individual, known mostly for his comedic acting talent creates his words with a mix of philosophy, poetry and humour.

Then there's Bappi Lahiri's memorable soundtrack with its catchy tunes and fantastic lyrics. The soundtrack is an eclectic mixture of different kinds of songs. Before rewatching it recently, I had last seen the film more than 20 years ago but the songs still stayed in mind. My favourite track is 'Inteha Hogayi Intezaar Ki' while 'Jahan Chaar Yaar', 'Tujhe Naulakkha' and 'De De Pyaar De' are a few nostalgic numbers that brought a smile. The songs are nicely visualized such that they are amusing and captivating (mostly because of Jaya's beauty) and appear during suitable moments of the film. There's also a hilarious item song with Smita Patil.

Amitabh Bachchan succeeds in portraying an alcoholic spoilt brat. Vicky couldn't have been an easy part to play and many Hindi film actors tend to go over the top in portraying a drunken man but Bachchan balances it well. Om Prakash delivers a moving performance and Pran plays his part to the T. Jaya Prada is a sight to behold and she reminds the viewer that she's a good actress and an incredibly graceful dancer.

'Sharaabi' is about 3 hours of entertainment. What makes this one particularly stand out are the dialogues and music. The performances and Jaya Prada's beauty are a bonus. This is proof further that there are a few worthwhile masala films of the 80s.

Sharaabi review :

After launching Sharaabi, noted director Prakash Mehra was asked about its plot. "Well its about Amitabh and he plays a drunkard" came his pat one line reply.

Sharaabi, a 1984 Superhit and my most favourite AB film, is indeed that!! It is about Amitabh Bachchan who plays the kind hearted alcoholic. Thats it. Nothing else really matters!!

Drunken scenes were always the superstars fortè (as evident in Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Satte Pe Satta (1982)), but in Sharaabi, Bachchan surpassed his past glory as Vicky, a richie rich guy neglected by his forever busy businessman dad (Pran) who recites poetry in a drunken stupor.

"Pyaar se shaayari mein wajan aata hai" suggests his guardian Munshiji (Om Prakash, endearing) and soon enough, Vicky falls in love with the charming dancer Meena (Jaya Prada).

"Inteha ho gayi, Intezaar ki. Aayee na kuch khabar mere yaar ki"

he laments his yearning in to a song which the legendary Kishore Kumar (rumouredly) sang with a peg in hand just to come in to the mood. Bappi Lahiri's music was truly extraordinary and it rightly won him the Filmfare Best Music award that year.

Amitabh's comic timing is also superbly explored by Mehra Saahab in the "Mucche ho toh Nathulal jaisi" sequence. His emotional outburst against dad Pran makes for another memorable scene.

I watched Sharaabi with my entire extended family at Dadar's Plaza Cinema occupying a full balcony row and yep, having a blast!! A gigantic cut out of Amitabh with a glass of alcohol in hand graced Plaza for more than 25 weeks of its run and I used to admire it everyday from my school bus when it passed from there. Swag ho toh aisa. Cheers!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni

OK, I don't know how many people are gonna read this, but even if only one person does, I have got to say that SHARABI is the great Indian movie.

If I had to give one standout facet of the movie, it would be Amitabh Bachan's performance. Voted Actor of the Millennium by the BBC, this movie would have to be his pinnacle, the crowning glory on a career most American actors would never see.

But it isn't just the acting. The two most important features of a movie - writing/directing - are here in a great style. All right, the editing is a bit dodgy, but that doesn't matter. If it makes sense, the rough edges don't matter one iota in a film this good.

If you don't watch Indian films, then that's you're decision, but you would be missing one of the greatest movies made if you didn't see this.

I first saw this movie in 1985 when I was a kid. Since then, I have seen this movie again and again at least 100 times! (I'm serious) I like it so much...that I could never get bored of it!! The dialogues in this movie are very powerful! "Sharaabi ko sharaabi nahin tho kya pujari kahoge, geohon kogeon nahin tho kya juari kahoge? :)" Those of you who grew up watching movies of Amitabh Bachchan like myself and those of who are his die-hard fans like myself will certainly agree that Sharaabi is one of his finest movies! What I liked about this movie the most is the character played by Amitabh Bachchan of a millionaire's son who has all the money in the world but who never received any love or affection from his millionaire father who was too busy accumulating oodles of money. Despite Amitabh Bachchan's superb role of a drunken character has been shown throughout the movie, he has also shown that a person intoxicated with alcohol can be funny, classy, romantic, and knows how to treat a lady right! Sharaabi is a classic in my books and I highly recommend you see it if you love Hindi movies and if you are a fan of Amitabh Bachchan!!