User reviews

Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965) : Brief Review -

Not just about Kashmir's beauty, but about the beauty of a man's love, our culture, and our traditions. Jab Jab Phool Khile is one of the biggest solo blockbusters for Shashi Kapoor and Nanda, and when you watch the film, you will know why. The film is about a city girl, Rita, who visits Kashmir and stays at a boathouse owned by an innocent Kashmiri man, Raja. He falls in love with her but has no idea what Rita thinks since she is very aggressive and disciplined about her urban life. After learning about her dad's accident, she has to leave immediately and promises Raja that she will be back next season. As promised, she revisits the same place, but this time her dad has sent her could-be husband along. Raja assumes that Rita isn't interested in him, but it turns out that she's in love with him too. That propose scene between Raja and Rita was crazy. The way Raja speaks out of anger and says the most lovable thing for any girl makes it a situational metaphor. However, the film is not just about their love story; it has much more to it. Raja keeps calling her Memsaab, but she demands that he call her by her name. That's your first reference to defying innocent love through urbanisation. Things come to a severe disaster level when Raja finds out that his culture is far different from Rita's culture-I tell you, both are Indians. Between his honesty, culture, and the love of his life, he chooses his culture and ends up winning audiences' hearts. That's what makes this film an instant blockbuster. The moment you see a poor man declining a marriage to a rich girl, you know that this film means more than just a regular love story. The girl has to change her ways since she is the one who is victimised by the urban culture. A masterstroke by the writer and director. An extra special mention to the EVERGREEN album by Kalyanji-Anandji.

RATING - 7.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

During his days as a leading man in both the Hindi and English movies, the latter with Merchant Ivory, Shashi Kapoor was often called the most handsome man in India. Unfortunately, his penchant and comfort with multi-starrers often meant he got relegated to the second hero roles or had co-actors overshadow him, mostly due to meatier roles (Deewar is a prime example). Here, as a solo hero he also laid a claim to being the best option in romantic roles. Come to think of it, only one man in Bollywood could have a claim on both titles. Dharmendra.

The plot is not complicated. It goes by the poor hero rich heroine trope popular in Bollywood right up to the 1990s. Throw in some stunning locales of a pre-terror Kashmir and some great music and you have a honey sweet romance on your hands. Anand Bakshi and Kalyanji Anandji in peak form creates a soundtrack for ages through Ek tha gul, Na na karte pyar, Pardesiyon se na ankhiya milana and Ye shama - shama hai ye pyar ka. The song which is less heard now is Md. Rafi's Yaha main ajnabee hu, perhaps the best in the movie. Well, it may sound slightly misogynistic to the contemporary ears.

It also holds together the hero's disillusionment and departure. The climax, needless to say, is exactly what is expected. Yes, once more it can appear misogynistic to the 21st century audience, but it reflects the ethos of the time and cannot be blamed for it.

As a movie it's entertaining, the soundtrack is incredible and Shashi Kapoor displays why he deserved more from the Indian audience.

Couple of fun facts - the legendary music director duo Laxmikant Pyarelal is listed as Assistant Music Director in the movie although they had already had success themselves at least a year back. The second may be pretty obvious to anyone who has seen this movie. Amir Khan's Raja Hindustani was clearly a slightly modern re-telling of Jab Jab Phool Khile. As often in Bollywood, it is not acknowledged on screen, but no one associated with Raja Hindustani ever denied the 'influence'.

Great music, Excellent performance of Shashi sir & Superb chemistry between Shashi kapoor & Nanda. However Story is not so perfect. But this movie is much better than its copied version (Raja Hindustani).

When I watched this film, I instantly took to my social media handle to share my review about this film. I posted a photo of this film's poster and wrote that this film is pure classic, one of the best performances by the legend Shashi Kapoor.

That's right, it is a classic film. It was also remade as Raja Hindustani. But for me, this film gave more of a DDLJ type vibe.

Songs are great, kashmir looks so beautiful, Shashi ji's innocent and joyful character is a treat and his looks are as always great.

Talking about Kashmir, there are some other classic films of the 60s that were made in beautiful kashmir such as Kashmir Ki Kali, Aarzoo.