Movie Review - Part 1 (QSQT)

In a time like now, where there is a literal deluge of movie reviews being forced down the mouth of the average audience, one can find it really tasking to know whether to actually surrender his/her decision making for movie-watching to such reviews or not. All most each of these, supposedly by the great honchos or so-called movie industry watchers, finally ends up manipulating the audiences’ actual view and feelings.

Here I set out for writing my first ever movie review, hoping not to repeat the above. As my ideology is that a true review should always be neutral, non-manipulative and should bring out all sides of the subject in light. Then the decision is always, as it should ideally be, with the common audience only, who doesn’t make frequent rounds of Cannes film festival; rather goes for his/her common instinct and feelings.

OK, so much for ideologies and standards; let us get started.

So which movie is it?

No, it’s not the movie releasing this Friday for which I was invited for a sneak preview, nor is the highest grossing ‘Avatar’ already having tonnes of reviews. It’s again not ‘Mother India’, India’s first ever Oscar entry, or the trend setting ‘Sholay’ which has found a place in millions’ hearts over time.

It’s ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’, the movie that came nothing less than a fresh breathe of air at its time and swept across prevalent movie-going nation like a landscape-altering storm and which an entire generation of audiences began to identify with thereafter. Something that lies closer to my heart than most others.

Again reminding that, this is not a formal review; but just my humble way to put forth my feelings that go with this movie, in an original way.

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Movie: Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (QSQT)

Directed By: Mansoor Khan

Produced & Written By: Nassir Hussain

Starring: Amir Khan, Juhi Chawala, Dalip Tahil, Alok Nath

Music By: Anand-Milind

Cinematography: Kiran Deohans

Release Date: 1 March 1988 (exactly 24 years from now)

Running Time: 163 mins

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So...a whole generation of us has grown up witnessing the stage performance of ‘Papa Kehte Hain’ song become a staple of almost all college welcome and farewell parties, even decades later.

And probably this alone summarises the timeless impact of QSQT in the minds of countless youth. It stands for the average Indian young man’s coming of age, the usual apprehensions about future, parents’ daunting pre-set milestones and above all, the dreamy freshness and innocence of young tender love which does not yet know the consequences in a rough brutal universe.

QSQT is quintessentially a sweet-tragic love story of 2 star-crossed lovers; a rendition of Romeo – Juliet against the backdrop of contemporary Indian middle class family values.

The name literally means...'apocalypse to apocalypse', or 'destruction to destruction' highlighting this theme through-out. 

The movie unfolds with the sub-plot that makes 2 warring rajput thakur families taking their violent vows against each other. Unaware of the bloody history that is running across, Raj and Rashmi are 2 innocent sweet young people from the families, who fall in true love with each other in a series of fateful coincidences. The plot moves on with their families getting the knowledge of this eventually and indignantly deciding to stick to their ancient feud instead. Unable to convince their respective elders, Raj and Rashmi, quietly decide to go against the world and promise to face their trials and tribulations together. But unfortunately, their true and innocent love alone is not able to withstand the bloody turbulence of family feud. They lose their struggle in life, but remain unscathed in their love for each other.

So...what is there in this less than ten-liner story plot that made it stand out as a cult classic against dozens of replicas?

What the movie lacked in number of lines or in depth of plot, made up more than it in expression, melodic rhythms, a fresh take of love stories and social relevance.