Zamana Diwana

Reviewed by Sanjeev Saxena

Sippy Weaves Magic ... Again.

Ramesh Sippy, the incredibly talented director who gave us 'Sholay' and 'Shaan'. Shah Rukh Khan, the sure-footed and gifted actor who so effortlessly filled the superstar slot after Bachchan and became the heartthrob of millions. Ravina Tandon, the daintily ravishing indian beauty who stole all out hearts and for whose captivating smile and alluring looks, even a thousand words are too few. Anupam Kher, the most versatile supporting actor in the Indian cinema. 'Zamana Diwana', the latest flick from Sippy with Khan, Tandon and Kher is an unqualified stroke of genius and one of the most entertaining movies in the recent times.

Suraj (Shatrughan Sinha) and Lala (Jitendra) were good friends before falling prey to the vicious tricks of Sundar (Tinnu Anand), so much so that Lala believes his wife is dead and Suraj is to blame for that. They become greatest of enemies and create chaos in the city by way of gang wars (so we are told). Asstt Commissioner of Police (Prem Chopra in a cameo appearance) has a criminal psycologist KD (Kher) and Shalini (a gorgeous Kiran Joneja) weave a plot to bring Rahul (Khan), the lively and spirited son of Suraj, close to Priya (Tandon), the ever-so graceful and elegant daughter of Lala, hoping to bring the two sides together. Needless to say that good triumphs over evil, but only after a number of out-and-out entertaining songs and dances, jestful capers, taut-action sequences, endearing romance, tongue-in-cheek dialogues with a generous sprinkle of heart-warming bihari-accented hindi.

Khan has appeared in a movie after a long hiatus, but he is as good as ever, dedicated and effervescent. Tandon is as sensuous and pretty as can be. Kher and Joneja as an excellent supporting pair have zest and chutzpah. Their antics bring out some of the best moments of the movie. Jitendra is okay, but Sinha always steals the scene with his commanding voice and unique style. Overall, the movie is skillfully made, fast-paced and delightfully packaged. The opulant locales, ecumenical attention to detail and spontaneous humor bear the vintage directorial finesse of Sippy. Definitely, a must-see.

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