Dharam Veer

Review By Kamal K

I can't tell you that you need to see this film because it's brilliant. It's frankly ridiculous. But you need to see this film to admire the unfettered imagination of one of Hindi cinema's greatest masala makers - Manmohan Desai.

Dharam Veer is set in an unidentified time, which means anything is possible. So there are kings, queens and evil ministers, gladiators and jousting contests, banjaras and a hawk who swoops in to save the day.

There's also Pran in a ponytail playing Jwala, the master swordsman who is hailed as a legendary Samurai. In one scene, Dharmendra, playing the local blacksmith's son Dharam, asks Jwala: Agar aap mujhe samurai sikha de toh... And of course Jwala obliges.

You might wonder, why is Dharmendra wearing a skirt?

Jeevan as the queen's evil brother. Zeenat Aman as the haughty princess who must be taught a lesson.

Her character is the hardest to digest. In one song, Dharam, kidnaps her and ties her up because he loves her.

But while the princess is quickly tamed, Desai also gives us a queen who hunts tigers and rules the kingdom. Early in the film, she meets Jwala, has a Gandharva marriage which means a secret wedding, gets pregnant and then separated from him.

And then enters, one of the most progressive male characters in the history of Hindi cinema - a king who willingly marries the pregnant queen and takes another man's child as his own.

The action moves at a breakneck speed and there is only one rule - you can't question anything. Babies are exchanged and re-exchanged. Despite grave misunderstandings and machinations by a plethora of villains, the bromance between Dharam and Veer stands strong.

My favorite character is the villain, played by Jeevan, who just keeps scheming. When it is prophesized that his sister's son will cause his death, he instantly plans her murder, saying jab behen hi nahin rahegi toh bhanja kahan se hoga.

It's too much fun. Dharam Veer has the innocence of a children's story. As the madcap plot unfolds, you can almost sense the director's glee at having so many different toys to play with - this includes a battle at sea in the climax.

Dharam Veer released in 1977 and was one of the four hits Manmohan Desai had that year. The others were Amar Akbar Anthony, Chacha Bhatija and Parvarish. Do you know any other director who can match that? Check out Dharam Veer on Youtube.

Dharam Veer (1977) : Brief Review -

A royal swashbuckling blockbuster from Manomohan Desai in his peak year. The two-hero film was gaining pace in the post-Sholay era, and Desai knew it. In 1977, he delivered two of the biggest blockbusters of his career, Amar Akbar Anthony (3 hero film) and Dharam Veer (2 hero film). DV is more into the swashbuckling zone, which didn't inspire Indian filmmakers much from the beginning, but proper masala packaging would always work. Desai's DV adds multiple masala ingredients to it, and every single thing hits the right chord. You don't expect a princess to marry a swordsman living in a hut and then have them part ways the same night. You give a proper prelude to the entries of two heroes for almost half an hour. The lost and found formula peaked here yet again (of course, AAA was some next-level stuff). Two brothers, one prince and one poor, and the latter had to be the elder one. You can't have anyone else but Super Hero Dharam Ji for the role because that mass appeal, machoism, and attitude to show off muscles and thighs weren't available in anybody else. You get Pran to play a swordsman who is hit by bad luck. Ditto for Indrani. Jeetendra was becoming a rage among girls at that time (my mother was a huge fan), and you have him play the prince, a man of principles and royalty. In usual masala flicks, you might see two brothers fighting over a girl, but here, they both fall in love with opposite category girls. Dharam is bound to marry a princess, whereas Veer is bound to a nomad dancer. The practical value of this masala equation may probably rank higher than other masala film cliches as Desai attempts to defy usual norms and stand away with his own conviction. You don't have a moment to lose on the screen, and then you get 4 superhit songs, each with a different melody and taste. I mean, give me a moment, man. It's all so freaking fascinating to come together like a dream. How can a bird (Baaz) play such a big role! Try it, you other fellas (Coolie did it).

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Upon learning of a prophecy that states he will be killed by his eldest nephew, Satpal separates his sister's twin sons. However, the boys become best friends after growing up, and fight against tyranny.

In the 1970's, where daku, romantic and lost and found action fare were the leading force, period-Talwar (sword fighting) pics were rare, but Dharm Veer is a first class example of period-action replete sword fights, ship battles and feisty princesses, yet it still retains its lost and found masala sheen, and the villainy is high-end with bad buy maestros Jeevan and Sujit Kumar giving the heroes, Dharm Veer played by Garam Dharam and Jeetendra (no brainier who plays Dharm!) a lot to fight for, and there's plenty of derringer-do, high-end dramatics, romance and epic theatrics - all these elements Manhoman Desai executes in his inimitable fashion.

Dharmendra is at the top of his game, flexing his muscles and singing with MOHd Rafi's voice to Zeenat Aman - the songs are melodious, and the cinematography is splendid - Dharm veer is wondrous entertainment for the one who want to escape in the world of palaces, forts, maharajas, queens, lost princes, talwar flashing and moustache twirling villainy.

Dharmendra , jitendra excellent fabulous movie dialogues and story songs every angle movie superhit at that time this masterpiece is mostly creditable to Dharmendra and songs made by laxmikant pyarelal every songs superhit till now remember and outstanding music i love this movie and watch many many times till now.

I remember as a kid when promotion of movies use to happen on radio and how I enjoyed this movie promotion listening it on radio. The songs " Bund ho muthi to lakh.. " Hum banajaroo ki... " O meri mehbooba.. " Are still fresh in my mind, how this songs made me as a kid of seven wanting to see this movie. This movie is full entertainment the costumes, story, action of 70's, the drama, acting, songs everything is so Bollywood. Dharmendra, zeenat, jeetendra, Jeevan and all others did wonderful job. Yes even the eagle was so much fun for us kids to later discuss among ourselves. This is a must watch for BOLLYWOOD FANS.