Gardish

Gardish is a relief from the usual Bollywood masala movies where the plot is just an excuse for the hero to take on the bad guys and beat them black and blue. This film has a strong plot, good music, slick editing and good cinematography.

The story revolves around Shiva (Jackie Shroff) whose father's (Amrish Puri)dream is to see him become a police officer. However, circumstances compel Shiva to cross paths with a local thug Billa Jilani (Mukesh Rishi). One day while Billa beats up Shiva's father, Shiva decides to take matters into his own hands and beats up Billa severely, sending him to the hospital. While in the hospital, Billa contemplates taking revenge against Shiva and once he gets out of the hospital, he begins to terrorize the whole village and Shiva's family. Will Shiva take a stand against Billa or will he act according to his father's principles, putting his dreams of becoming a police officer to the fore?

The story is very well told and Priyadarshan did a really good job of keeping the viewer involved. I didn't know that Priyadarshan can direct an action film and that too with a good story and acting.

Jackie Shroff unquestionably gives the best performance of his career after Parinda. He proves that he is a director's actor and Priyadarshan succeeds in bringing the best out of him. Amrish Puri is excellent as Jackie's confused father and he proves yet again that he can carry off not just the negative but also the positive roles with aplomb. He has very large, expressive eyes conveying anger, sadness and fear painstakingly. Dimple Kapadia is also good as the prostitute and her last scene is heart wrenching. Raj Babbar succeeds in creating an impression in just a guest appearance.

Overall, Gardish is a good and thoughtful film. If you like meaningful cinemas, then this movie is for you to watch.

Priyadarshan made some good serious films earlier before HERA PHERI

This is one of his best films ever

The story is well handled and the turn of events are well handled Amrish- Jackie scenes are a highlight and the way the film moves it keeps you on the edge till the end

The film may seem dry for some people but the way it is handled deserves kudos

Priyadarshan's direction is at it's best Music is okay

Jackie Shroff excels, this is one of his best performances Sadly we don't get to see such roles from him now Amrish Puri is another highlight, the veteran always gave his best in Priyan films Dimple is good Suresh Oberoi is likable Mukesh Rishi is okay rest are okay

Priyadarshan's 'Gardish' is a Bold and Disturbing film, that tells the story of a common man gone angry. Priyadarshan, now known to be making Comedies, has actually made one of his finest films in 'Gardish'.

'Gardish' tells the story of how the Evil can turn even the Holy, on the wrong side. A common man is caught in a gruesome atmosphere where he has no chance to survive. It's the story of each and everyone.

Let this writer inform you this very clearly: 'Gardish' is not for the faint-hearted. The overdose of gruesome violence is sure to put the illy-livered disturbed. And even the intense & tension build sequences are sure to appear dark and gritty to many. But for me, the violence and tension shown in the film appeared so justified, so well-written, that the grip just doesn't go away.

Priyadarshan is truly in terrific form here. 'Gardish' easily ranks amongst his finest efforts to date. The Cinematography is excellent. Even the Soundtrack, is impressive.

Performance-Wise: Dimple Kapadia is absolutely amazing in a strong supporting role. Dimple is one of the most talented performers Hindi Cinema has witnessed! Jackie Shroff delivers a performance that can silence even his worst critics. Amrish Puri, like always, is marvelous. Raj Babbar leaves a mark. Farida Jalal is very sincere. Mukesh Rishi, however, delivers his finest performance in here. He plays the twisted villain with such command, that you begin to hate him. Bravo, Indeed! Annu Kapoor does a fair job.

On the whole, 'Gardish' is gruesome, disturbing, but an amazing watch nevertheless. One of the finest films from the 1990's. Strongly Recommended!

The fight scenes and cinematography and an excellent screenplay mark this great Priyadarshan directed blockbuster.

Oustanding acting performance by Amrish Puri, Jacki Shroff, Mukesh Rishi, Dimple Kapadia, Asrani and Annu Kapoor.

The plot is this: Purshotam Kashinath Sathe (Amrish Puri) confiscates the van of the son of a Member Of Legislative Assembly (M.L.A).

In revenge the M.L.A transfers him to to the dangerous district of Kala Chowk where a thug known as Billa Jalani terrorizes the populous.

One day it so happens that P.K. Sathe is caught in a fight with Billa. Shiva P. Sathe, P.K Sathe's son (played by Jackie Shroff) intervenes, and strikes Billa's head with first a steel pail and then a metal rod. It seems that Billa has not died of that beating, but apparently recovering at a local hospital and plotting his full and final revenge against Shiva.

Who will prevail at the end, Billa or Shiva?

I strongly feel, this is one of the GREAT movies of Indian Cinema (better say World Cinema). It has the heart-prints-story of emotions between the father and son. Full marks goes to its Director - Priyadarshan who has beautifully characterize and picturize this movie. Normally I like to write shortcomings of the movies rather than appreciation. But here I am confused. Excellent acting by Jackie, Amrish, Dimple, superb cinematography, very well written story. A VERY NATURAL MOVIE.