A Inocência do Amor

I was in class eighth when I watched this movie. Those were hard times. My father used to stand beside the television on Friday night as Prannoy Roy's "World this week" would come to an end. As the program used to end, my father would switch off the television to make sure I can't even get a glimpse of the following late night Friday night movie.

In such a time me and my sister persuaded my father to go to Durgapur Cinema and watch a children's movie named "Qayamat Se Qayamat tack". 20 years have passed since then. I have watched so many movies of so many languages in the world. But not a single dialog of any of them did influence me as much as this one from QSQT did -> "Hum UN-key Au-lad jar-o-or hay-in, par Jagger Ne-hi". And the last scene hypocrisy of the "majboor Bap" who asks her daughter to pack her bags since "Raj to ate-i hon-gay".

It's unfortunate that our nation hasn't changed much in two decades and still families fight over marriages between different castes, religions etc. In fact it has gone worse in some states like MP where fanatic elements can influence the police to bring kidnapping charges against the groom which finally, as it happened recently, required the intervention of the court to sanction the nuptial bond.

Amir did a real great job.

This movie is the best I have so far seen from the Bollywood (I have seen more than 800 films). I just cannot describe the movie. It is just perfect. Each and every scene, each and every dialog looked perfect. The music, one of the most memorable and the story, just excellent. I have watched the movie more than ten times and so far I have not found even a single mistake or some thing like that which could be said improper. Even the last action scene was so perfect that I have very rarely seen such proper directed scenes. If you have not watched the movie, just watch it now. But remember one thing. There should be complete pin drop silence in the room and no body should talk until the end of the movie.

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (QSQT) along with Maine Pyar Kiya revolutionized Hindi Cinema. The film was the first of its kind. It was a big hit and in effect sparked the inspiration of love stories in the 90's like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Indian cinema has offered so many 'young love stories' like 'Bobby', 'Dil', 'Tezaab', 'Ek Duuje Ke Liye' etc. However, 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' remains my favorite of the lot. It is a somewhat dramatized but humble adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'. There have been numerous adaptations but what really makes this film work are the two leads and the music.

I like how the character's were written. Raj isn't the typical macho hero or a romantic, he's just an ordinary young who joined his father's fabric business. Similarly, Laxmi isn't some damsel in distress or a clichéd spoilt brat rebelling against her parents. She's a strong minded young lady who's ready to sacrifice all for her love.

Aamir Khan makes his entry to Indian cinema as leading man. He does nothing short of a brilliant job as the naive young Raj. The fact that he's a newcomer only adds to the character's childlike personality. Juhi Chawla already shows that she's here to stay. Not only is she naturally vivacious but she, in a wonderfully subtle way, displays Laxmi's innocence, childlikeness and determination. It's no surprise that since then Aamir and Juhi have been popular for their on screen chemistry. The supporting cast is adequate where Alok Nath stands out.

Mansoor Khan's direction also deserves mention as he does not waste much time on unnecessary subplots. He stays mainly focused on the story of the two lovers. Only the beginning, where the conflict between the two families begins, appears a little too dramatic and clichéd. But once Raj is introduced, the film takes off towards a better direction. The background score is irritating most of the time.

This was the time when great soundtracks were making a comeback in the commercial Hindi cinema considering that the 80s were infamous for poorest quality in cinema. The songs are soulful, melodious and memorable. After all, who doesn't know 'Papa Kehte Hain', 'Gazab Ka Hai Din' and 'Ae Mere Humsafar'? This is the album that made singer Udit Narayan an overnight star.

To me, 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' is one of the most memorable tragic love stories on the Hindi cinema screen. What makes this film unique is the incredible chemistry between the two leads and their characterization. Simply great!

Of all of Bollywood's 'young' love stories (Bobby, Maine Pyar Kiya, Betaab, etc.) Mansoor Khan's 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' is easily my favorite. Though the story is very familiar (it's "Romeo & Juliet" reinvented for India) there is a tenderness and a freshness to the story which is difficult to articulate. It hearkens a very different era of film-making- there is no gloss to speak of, only story, conflict, and human relationships. Refreshing, yes?

Of course, most people remember QSQT for introducing two young starlets who would go on to become superstars: Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla. Aamir, though undeniably charming, is slightly awkward (this actually adds to the performance) contrasting Juhi's more confident and elegant performance. There is no denying that they make a stunning couple, complementing each other as perfectly as other renown on screen pairs. Check out 'Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke' and 'Ishq' for more blazing chemistry.

The other star of the film is the soundtrack: each song is a classic, my favorite being "Aye Mere Humsafar", which is soft, sweet, and perfectly singable. A MUST SEE and a MUST HEAR!