Ravi Tandon's 'Jawaab' is an intense thriller that introduces the viewer to India's Witsec program. I wasn't aware that India even had one. The film does a decent job of presenting the risks and here it is shown how unsuccessful such a program can be due to the level of internal corruption. Tandon starts off by depicting an ordinary Indian family who have everything going for them, a happy family with a nice home and a possible career in music. It is only after they get embroiled in a conspiracy that the family is forced to go on the run.
The director successfully builds tension but in the second half he takes a different turn and it becomes a revenge thriller. On the one hand the viewer is presented with the trauma that Jagmohan's constant threats have had on Thakur as a result of which he takes matters in his own hands and decides to give him a taste of his own medicine but the script falters to clichés when using unintentionally funny methods, Jagmohan's goons are killed off one after the other and then there's the horribly melodramatic ending.
Most of the songs are soothing, especially the music.
Raj Babbar is brilliant. Right from the cheerful loving family man to the frightened and desperate husband and father and then to the calculating vengeful criminal, Babbar acts with conviction. Danny Denzongpa is good in spite of poor characterization. Suresh Oberoi does an adequate job. Smita Patil is amazing. Even with a role as simple as this, the actress has done a wonderful job.
Flawed it may be but I would still say it's a step above the typically 80s Bollywood flicks mainly because Ravi Tandon has managed to maintain a level of suspense and the engaging first half.
The director successfully builds tension but in the second half he takes a different turn and it becomes a revenge thriller. On the one hand the viewer is presented with the trauma that Jagmohan's constant threats have had on Thakur as a result of which he takes matters in his own hands and decides to give him a taste of his own medicine but the script falters to clichés when using unintentionally funny methods, Jagmohan's goons are killed off one after the other and then there's the horribly melodramatic ending.
Most of the songs are soothing, especially the music.
Raj Babbar is brilliant. Right from the cheerful loving family man to the frightened and desperate husband and father and then to the calculating vengeful criminal, Babbar acts with conviction. Danny Denzongpa is good in spite of poor characterization. Suresh Oberoi does an adequate job. Smita Patil is amazing. Even with a role as simple as this, the actress has done a wonderful job.
Flawed it may be but I would still say it's a step above the typically 80s Bollywood flicks mainly because Ravi Tandon has managed to maintain a level of suspense and the engaging first half.
