Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983)

“Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro” is a 1983 Indian comedy film directed by Kundan Shah and produced by NFDC. The film stars an ensemble cast including Naseeruddin Shah, Ravi Baswani, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapur, Satish Shah, and Neena Gupta. The movie has a runtime of 132 minutes and is considered a cult classic in Indian cinema.

Synopsis:

“Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro” follows the story of two struggling photographers, Vinod (Naseeruddin Shah) and Sudhir (Ravi Baswani), who are hired by a corrupt builder to take pictures of his illegal construction sites. However, they soon uncover a web of corruption and political intrigue that leads them down a dangerous path. Along the way, they encounter a colorful cast of characters, including a drunken newspaper editor, a ruthless businessman, and a crooked politician.

Review:

“Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro” is a classic satire that skewers the corrupt and dysfunctional aspects of Indian society. The film's humor is sharp and biting, and its performances are uniformly excellent. Naseeruddin Shah and Ravi Baswani make for a hilarious and endearing duo, while Om Puri and Pankaj Kapur are unforgettable in their supporting roles. The film's climax, which involves a chaotic stage production of the Mahabharata, is one of the most memorable scenes in Indian cinema. Despite being over 30 years old, the film's themes of corruption and political intrigue are still relevant today, making “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro” a timeless classic.

Awards:

“Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro” won the National Film Award for Best First Film of a Director in 1984. It also won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie, Best Screenplay, and Best Dialogue in the same year. The film is widely considered a cult classic and has been listed among the top Indian films of all time by various critics and publications.