''That professor hates me.''
''Your team and you are going down.''
''Go team! Kill the others!''
''I?ll have to study the whole night for tomorrow otherwise I?m dead.''
''What can I say guys, there is this special someone I?m thinking about??''
''Yaar, mere maa baap kuch samajhte hi nahi.( Man, my folks don?t understand me )''
''Man, school is so boring, college rocks, when I go to college it?ll b so much fun.''
''We guys and our group rock, we'll beat those other groups, they dont stand a chance.''
''If he talks to that girl, im gonna kill him''
Any of the above phrases sound familiar to you? If not, I don?t know which kind of school you were in, because I was in pretty much a standard average high school, and to some extent these were a lot of the familiar phrases that I came across.
Almost everyone has said the old line of leaving for college since school is so boring, their first crush (and of course the subsequent point of jokes and masti that the poor person in love becomes), parental pressure to do well, the euphoria of winning at a sports meet, the disappointment of defeat (not to mention the numerous excuses made to explain the loss) and of course the last minute cramming.
I don?t know many people who can say that their college was better than school, and personally speaking I probably had some of my best times in school and I?m sure everyone of you have looked back, if for nothing to look back and laugh at the innocence and stupidity of youth and of course to remember fondly times which have left close friends and imperishable memories in our being.
It?s surprising, that Indian movies do not explore the genre of school movies more often since they are so close to life if done well. The movie I go to talk about now is one of the best Indian movies ever (and a school film), yes people I refer to the great cycle movie, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. Without further ado, lets go on to the review of this classic.
Story:
The story is more like a series of episodes in the lives of the residents of a small college town where the three principal colleges Rajput ( the blue blooded rich studs ), Xaviers ( affluent and rich) and Model ( A college where poor kids of the town go to study ) are bitter rivals and are constantly at each other throats, specially Model and the snobby Rajputs who cannot stand each other. All through the school year they fight but the real test and decision of superiority comes at the annual inter college cycle race, an embodiment of victory and each college student?s ultimate goal.
The year in which this movie begins, Rattan (Mamik) is the son of Ramlal (Khulbushan Kharbanda) an ex Model student and the last Model victor of the cycle race. Rattan is the favorite to win from Model College although his fiercest rival Shekhar ( Deepak Tijori ) is the reigning champ and not about to let go of his throne.
In a close race Shekhar manages to beat Rattan, who vows that he will win the next. Ramlal, whose dream it is to see his son win, gives him support. On the other hand Rattan?s brother Sanju (Aamir Khan) is his complete anti thesis in that he is lazy, immature, hotheaded and irresponsible to the hilt. He and his band of merry men (and woman) include Anjali (Ayesha Jhulka) his neighbour who silently loves him, and his two other friends whose name I cant recall. During the course of this one year, Sanju and Shekhar have innumerable fights, particularly over Devika (Pooja Bedi) the hot new girl in town who Sanju impresses by lying, and is embarrassed when stood exposed.
Then an incident happens which changes Sanju forever and forces him to acknowledge his responsibilities and become serious. By accident, Shekhar throws Rattan off a cliff a day after another fight between him and Sanju, rendering him unavailable for the race. Ramlal is broken and Sanju is contrite. Does Sanju step up for his brother? Does it all work out in the end? Does Anjali tell Sanju of her love for him? No prizes for guessing.
Cons: Virtually nothing, if at all, the over dramatization of Rattan?s accident and the repercussions.
Pros: Too many to count. First up, I seriously think this story is one of the most refreshing ones that I have seen in movies, and the treatment was just so enthusiastic, (case in point)the characters looked their age and you could believe that these people and their relationships (friendship etc)do exist, nothing larger than life about them (though Sanju did try to be so). The direction of this movie was brilliant as Mansoor Khan brilliantly handles the cycle race ( and the euphoria and excitement in the climax with it), the sets, and the songs, particularly ?Pehla Nasha?, speaking of which is one of my all time favorites.
The choreography was excellent and blended in with the movie ( such as at school song and dance functions, Diwali and the like, smart direction). Even though it is a youth oriented film, and the story is somewhat predictable, you do not mind that for a minute because of its uplifting nature, and the fact that everyone could relate to it in some way or the other.
Mansoor Khan does well in bringing the action and excitement forth in the cycle races by showing the stadium and the cheers (reminded me of my school sports meet ) and last but not the least extracts great performances from every character big or small in this enterprise.
Mamik As Rattan: He was convincing in his role as the big brother who is the strong silent type and he was quite competent in this movie, although the credit could be to the characterization of the role, since strong and silent roles generally make a good impression. Nonetheless a commendable job for he was sincere in his portrayal.
Deepak Tijori As Shekhar: He wasn?t evil as much as he was a weasel, a sneak, a bully and a coward. Deepak Tijori had a reputation of a nice guy in movies, yet portrayed the arrogance and aforementioned facets of the character extremely well. A good actor who never really got his due, Tijori performs well and makes you dislike him and cheer his fall.
Ayesha Jhulka As Anjali: A sweet role portrayed very naturally by this actress who was vivacious and stood out in her movies in the early 90?s. She probably would have been a top actress had it not been for her sudden decision to retire. Her comeback never did bring her back her initial success. Nonetheless a great job in a good role.
Aamir Khan as Sanju: I have always been a fan of Aamir Khan, but I don?t think I have ever seen him as natural, spontaneous and endearing as he has been in this movie. He laughs, he cries, he infuriates both the audience and his rivals, and yet he plays to the gallery, and lets the watchers revel in his joie de vivre. He convinces you of his character?s faults and strengths and yet gets the audiences? sympathy even when he stands exposed in front of Devika and the rest. An excellent, and natural performance by Aamir which I do not think even he can repeat.
I believe that the reason for the movie's success was that it was something most people could relate to, and was uplifting, since people love to see the underdog not give up and win a fight, and that?s what this movie and its treatment brought out. Having watched this movie innumerable times, I think that I will probably watch it several more times because it brings me back to a time and place when all was fun and games, where responsibility was just a word in English class, and where I had some of the best times of my life. Truly, school was the place in which I spent my Wonder years.
Do rate and kindly Comment, as I would love to know your views and criticism.
Until next time
Have fun
-Faraz
