Aaj Ka Arjun

It is sad to see my all time hero reduced to a caricature from his heydays. Aging factor, unoriginal storyline, dialogues. Directors overdependent on Amitabh's past star power rather than their direction. Technically it could be called a hit but it didn't do anything to revive Amitabh's waning career. 😔😓

KC Bokadia has given many hits, both as a producer and a director. This movie was a huge hit and it actually was a much needed hit for Amitabh Bachchan at that time as most of his movies were not performing well.

For the storyline, Aaj Ka Arjun is the story of Bhim Singh(Amitabh Bachchan), who lives in a small village and is doing everything for his sister Laxmi(Raadhika). Thakur Bhupendra singh(Amrish Puri) is the powerful and cruel landlord of that village. His son Ajit Singh falls in love with Laxmi, marries her and the later abandons her. Laxmi is the killed and Bheema now should take the revenge.

Storyline is pretty much simple as most of that era's movie. But it's important to see how convincing the story was. Even for a funny, illogical or very much repeated story line, you connect with the characters. It's like a perfect masala movie with all the ingredients. Film has got humor, romance, action, revenge and some amazing and chartbuster songs.

It's a full on entertainer. Even if you are watching it again and again on a movie channel, you will still enjoy this.

Amitabh Bachchan as Bheema is not so convincing but hey, he entertains you completly. Be it dialouges, or action he is spot on. Yes, on the romance part in this movie he looked aged and not up to the mark.

Rest of the star cast does their part in a perfect way. Be it Jaya Prada or Suresh Oberoi, Anupam Kher or even Kiran Kumar.

All in all a paisa wasool movie in every sense.

Aaj Ka Arjun review :

With the title Aaj Ka Arjun, you would expect the hero to be called Arjun.

No, the hero of Aaj Ka Arjun is named Bheema. Another pivotal character from Mahabharat.

When Amitabh Bachchan was questioned why he was not called Arjun in the film, he politely asked the interviewer to check with producer- director KC Bokadia. Well, thats true professionalism, if I may call it!!

Bheema, the titular Arjun, was the poor gaonwala oppressed by the village Thakur (Amrish Puri) whose son impregnates his sis (Radhika) and then leaves her. Bheema avenges her humiliation and also owns up to her child (Baby Guddu).

The biggest positive of Aaj Ka Arjun turned out to be its soundtrack by Bappi Lahiri - 'Gori Hai Kalaiyaan' topped the Binaca Geetmala that year while 'Chali Aana Tu Paan Ki Dukaan Pe' was unique for Bachchan's dress style keeping the price tags intact.

Aaj Ka Arjun came at a time when Amitabh was going through a rough patch with good films like Main Azaad Hoon (1989) and Agneepath (1990) underperforming at the box office. Nobody expected this movie to do anything but it turned out to be a sleeper hit of the year providing a much needed respite to Bachchan. Deservedly!!

Released at Alankar Cinema, Mumbai, the film was a silver jubilee success proving the Bachchan charisma had not waned at all. He delivered another hit in Hum (1991) six months later to quiet his detractors (and certain trade pundits!!) forever. Boss is boss. Always!!!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.