Newton reminds us why Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro will always be special
There has been a long tradition of satire in India. From Hindi writers such as Harishankar Parsai to cartoonists like RK Laxman, satirists have been the observant book keepers of India through the years.
Few weeks ago, as I came out of the theatre after watching Newton, I was pleasantly reassured that a medium like cinema can still be used for social and political commentary when told as a satire. Newton was one of the most political films I have seen in recent times.
From the question of CRPF burning tribal houses to keep them safe, to the question of the state of education imposed on the tribals to the farcical and purely procedural democracy that we have created in India, Newton raises a lot of political points. The only problem with Newton's satire was that it required a certain intellectual bend and political understanding for one to fully comprehend what the film was trying to say.
The issue of tribals, Naxals, conflict and democracy is complex and for an average cinemagoer this could be a problem. While the film was making very valid political points, one wondered if a major part of the audiences had a different reading of the film altogether. For example, a guy sitting just behind me told his friend during the last scene: "Now, at least, he should say I love you to the girl."
The statement takes me back to wondering what kind of audiences these films are catering to. And that takes me back to other Hindi films which used satire to win the audience over. Two films clearly stand out in my mind. There was Peepli Live!, a satire on rural India, which was a commentary on the media, politics and society and was meant to cater to urban audiences, mostly. At the risk of sounding judgmental, one could allege that it was an intellectual endeavour, as satire often is. This also becomes one of the reasons the masses don't lap it up instantly. Another example of a satire in film that instantly pops up in your head is Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro.
For the cult status it has received over the years, it's a tragedy that Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro was a failure at the box office when it was released. It is not hard to understand why such a movie might have failed. In India, audiences have a rich history of escapism. Although there is now a niche of urban and metropolitan audiences for all kinds of films, the mainstream films remain dedicated to the idea that audiences come to the theatres to escape their life and troubles.
Still, the reason why Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro stood out and amassed a cult following over the years is simple. The themes in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro are urban (so are the audiences for these kinds of films) and they have remained relevant over the years just as they are now, thanks to the lack of change in the system we live in. And it immediately resonates with audiences, especially younger audiences who are constantly looking for something different.
For a dark satire that peels the layers of our society and corrupt power structures that govern us, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is a very funny film. Satire is supposed to be funny, but a lot depends on the cultural grooming of the audiences. In that respect, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro stands out as it excels also a comedy film. Some of the scenes are so ridiculously funny, they merit repeat viewings.
The extremely funny "Thoda khaao, thoda phenko" cake scene will be etched in our memories for being the physical comedy that it was. Then, there was the cult Mahabharata scene which, even today, finds its way into many messaging groups. The physical and verbal comedy that the film uses has a universal and timeless appeal. So does the satirical beauty of the film. India's political system often reminds us of the long shot of Naseeruddin Shah and Ravi Baswani walking in prisoners' uniform, with "Hum honge kaamyaab" playing the background.
These days, there are frequent retrospective screenings of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro in almost every major city. The cult keeps growing. Kundan Shah also went on to make films like Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, which also has a cult following of its own. His demise has triggered a flurry of memories of his films and his everlasting work. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro will continue to be the shining star in the cosmos of his work. It will definitely be a benchmark for a satirical film and will also be remembered for being a funny film.
Newton was just a reminder of how memorable Kundan Shah's Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro truly was and will always be. It was also a reminder why we need satire that cuts across issues without making them bleed.
Newton is an important film, so was Peepli Live! but Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is an unforgettable film and that is a rare achievement in Indian cinema.