3 Deewarein

3 Walls: 7 out of 10: My first reaction was that Indian prisons are really nice. Honestly I went to a couple of sleep away camps in my youth and suffered more hardships than these prisoners. Sure the prison has sexual assault, loss of freedom and death but I am definitely sticking to my analogy.

This is my first real Bollywood film and since there are no musical numbers or dancing or romance I am under the impression that the film isn't typical. This is straight forward human drama with very good dialogue and a surprisingly twisted and adult story.

The film concerns three prisoners who are scheduled to hang. One is angry and proclaims his innocence, one refuses to accept guilt for his crime and the last is so racked with guilt he cannot wait for the noose to be drawn. Into their lives comes a female filmmaker with some baggage of her own.

The movie is about the four characters interactions and how justice is eventually done despite long odds and corruption. While you may have some Shawshank Redemption flashbacks during the film the movie really has its own story and feel. The acting is good across the board and the production values are excellent. This would be a well made film in any nation.

The first time i heard about the movie , my reaction was i have to see this one. coming from one of my favourite directors Nagesh Kukuonoor and performers like Naseereruddin Shah.

When i actually got down to see the movie , my feelings were mixed. The performances in the movie were just astounding , the direction was just superb ! but the only downer half way down the movie was i kept having deja vu of having watched the scenes in "Shawshank Redpemption" . The movie did not have the impact till it reached the climax scenes. It was then i realized that the movie was not at all what i expected it to be. And this my friends is a rare find in indian movies. I guess you all must agree with me on this particular point. After the climax was over all i could do was sit dumbfound. I was speechless. This movie that played before me was the best movie of this genre made by an indian in india. It was way better than shawshank redemption in many asepects. (although i am not her undermining the movie in any form , who can ever forget the narration by morgan freeman in that movie).

The direction needs applause by us all. The flashback type concept was great. The first scene when Chandrika (Juhi) meets the 3 convicts was unbelievable . (in the sense that this was actually directed by an indian director) . The contrast of the 3 characters that was potrayed by Nagesh in that scenario was overwhelming. The movie gives the viewer subtle hints throughtout which one realises once the climax scene was over. The best part of the movie was that each one of the dialogue was well built in to the plot of the movie. Starting from the "Aapko pehle kabhi dekha hai" to every other statment.

I think i do not need to comment on performance by Nasseeruddin Shah. He is just amazing. One of the best actors the Indian cinema has seen ever. He is complemented perfectly by Juhi, Nagesh , Gulshan and Jackie. The serious role of Jackie was just too good and he stood up to the role beautifully. Nagesh also played his character true to life.

In all , i would sign off by saying, that if you are one of the people who appreciate movies like shawshank redemption , fight club, memento then DO NOT MISS ON THIS ONE. I would rate the movie better than the afore mentioned 3 movies, and to be honest i loved them all. But if you are the kind who likes masala movies and do not want to appreciate the direction of the movie then this one is not for you.

This is a very different film from the usual bollywood love and action crap, it might take some influences from the Shawshank Redemption and other American prison films but overall it is a very original and fresh film. Naseeruddin Shah really shines and the ending is good. The film is basically about an amateur filmmaker (Juhi Chawla) that wants to make a documentary about 3 prisoners on death row. They are on death row for murder, accidental or premeditated. As the film progresses you learn more about each of the prisoners and how prison has affected their life. Overall it is a pretty damn enjoyable film, and it has NO SONGS

The story is about three prisoners and their life in jail captured by a documentary directer Juhi Chawla. As per as acting is concern: Jackie Shroff is average,Nagesh Kukunoor and Gulshan Grover is good,Juhi Chowla is brilliant and above all Naseeruddin Shah is excellent as usual.The script of the film is well written and directed it in a good way. The story comes to end with an unpredictable twist and we can see that how a single incident connects three different peoples for ever just like three walls in a room. The ending doesn't destroys the movie, it makes much more better. I saw almost all the films but this is probably the best movie directed by Nagesh Kukunoor.

An absolutely flawless screenplay which makes the acting look so simple. At least that is what you would think while you are watching the movie but then the acting is super.

To me the whole movie is like a work of art. When an artist begins his painting, you have no clue where he is going. He would begin with something and start to draw lines which don't make any sense and yet as they say "patience bears fruits", while you wait patiently, there emerges the unexpected master piece which you could not even imagine. And that is what exactly happened to me while watching the movie.

I am personally not a good critique myself but I could not hold myself from writing this.

Sadullah