Saudagar

Typical early 90s movie. It might be a bit difficult to enjoy this one in 2024. Manisha does what is expected of her - she looks pretty, dances and cries. Vivek Mushran doesn't add much value; his highlight of the film are his impish expressions in the song ILU. Deepti Naval isn't given much to do. Jackie Shroff is good in his blink and miss role. The usual roster of baddies are also there - Amrish, Dalip and Gulshan Grover. There is a bit of everything - mellow-drama, enmity, love story, friendship, scenery and a couple of good songs. The highlight of this film are no doubt Raaj & Dilip Kumar. Raaj is majestic and Dilip is an enigma. Watching them together onscreen is like watching history in the making, you cant take your eyes off of them. Expectedly, they outperform everyone else. The story between their characters is what drives the film and if you are a fan of either of them (especially Raaj Kumar) than you will enjoy this but if you are looking for something new, I would give this one a skip.

Its disappointing to see a Subhash Ghai's film containing almost nothing and wasting actors such as Dilip Kumar, Raj Kumar, Jackie Shroff, Deepti Naval, Manisha Koirala. He really had nothing to talk about in this film. The music was below par. If you compare the music of this film with Kalicharan, Karz, Pardes or Hero it was a disgrace. Only the title song Saudagar is where the music director made his best attempt to create melody. The music may have become popular and sold many albums, but that could have many reasons, including good marketing and inducement. The reason for the dushmani was a simple misunderstanding but it was made so complicated with so many characters. Only the dialogs between Dilip and Raj were good to some extent. The scenes were literally written for the dialogues and situations created so that the dialogue can be said. Subhash must have thought that in each scene have lots of people standing and that would make a good scene or a good movie. Subhash had made some good movies like Kalicharan, Karz, Pardes. After Pardes his movies only looked grand but lacked a story and soul. Dilip Kumar was so good in Mashal, Vidhata because he had a good role. The ending also was senseless, where there is no use of brain power on the part of Dilip Kumar or Raj Kumar. The Villains use brain power and the heroes lack it.

. . .two giants of the Hindi film industry Dilip Kumar and Raj Kumar together on a screen. This movie also introduces Manisha who went on to become one of the most talented actresses of 90's. The story is not original but the music, dialogues and photography compensates for it.

When I think of Subhash Ghai's Saudagar two things come to mind. Firstly is the immensely popular song Ilu Ilu, secondly is the coming together of two titan of Bollywood, Dilip Kumar and Raaj Kumar. Dilip Kumar had previously acted by Ghai's Karma and Vidhaata. Saudagar came out in 91 where Subhash Ghai was still a trusted director that churned out hit after hit,Karz, Hero,Meri Jung and Ram Lakhan. The story of Saudagar goes like this. Two childhood friends fall out due to a misunderstanding created by Amrish Puri. Decades pass and they are now sworn enemies. Then their grandchildren(newcomers Vivek Mushran and Manisha Koraila)meet and fall in love without knowing their families legendary dispute and they conspire to make their grandparents friends again. Subhash Ghai always had a good ear for music and out of all his movies in my opinion Saudagar had the best music. All the songs are simply sublime, my favourites are Ilu Ilu and Teri Yaad. Subhash Ghai even managed to assemble a great cast together(most of whom are veterans of Subhash Ghai movies). The cast consisted of Jackie Shroff(in a special appearance)Deepti Naval,Amrish Puri,Dilip Tahil, Anupum Kher and many many more. Saudagar is very long but with a movie as entertaining as Saudagar I say the longer the better. Watching Saudagar is a sad reminder of how Mr Ghai's career has taken a turn for the worse over the past couple of years.

Close to my heart. Childhood memories, teenage memories, adulthood memories and will be my old age memories.