Isar Qureshi – Google

Ek Duje Ke Liye (1981 ) This was an iconic film during the early 80’s which set a benchmark for love stories to follow. I was a kid when this film was released in 1981 and I remember watching its trailer on TV. The tragic storyline, versatile actors and scintillating peppy music had been unheard of till when it was released. What added to its glory was the singer SP Balasubramaniam giving his voice to some of the most iconic songs ever. The film aimed to bridge the linguistic gap which exists in the society. Ek Duje Ke Liye was known for its tragic ending when both the lovers Vasu ( Kamal Hasan) and Sapna ( Rati Agnihotry) jump to their deaths. There is a story which is true and goes like this - the director K Balachander showed this film to the legendary Raj Kapoor who suggested that the end be changed. Not withstanding the suggestion, the film was released. What followed was a spate of failed lovers committing suicide across the country. Following this there were rumours that an alternate happy ending was going to be released- which never happened. Again there were rumours that the film was going to be banned because it tempted couples to say quits to life. It was pulled off the screens at many places. Much later in 1985 this film was re-released. I saw this film during my engineering days at Pune’s Alankar cinema and loved it. I came in next day to watch it again and got bored after the interval where the story becomes sad and in the end the couple is assaulted following which they decide to jump off the cliff to make their love eternal. I was wondering this time around as to why the duo had to take that step at all. They could have gone to the hospital instead, treated themselves, married and had kids. I came the third day again to watch the songs of film. I walked in and out of the theatre - only coming in when the songs were played. Facts: Ek Duje Ke Liye was a remake of a Telugu film Maro Charitra where a Tamilian boy (Kamal Hasan) falls in love with a Telugu girl ( Madhavi). The film was also dubbed in Malayalam.

It was 1988 , during my engineering days that’s this film was released. I stayed at a hostel close to VT Station and almost all South Bombay cinema halls were in close proximity. During those days the best way to overcome boredom and home sickness was watching a film. Akarshans posters were all around the city. They were printed in bold gold colour- Attractive was what it meant in English and I was impressed by the publicity itself. I always was a first day first show moviegoer. I had booked two tickets for myself - the first show at 3 pm and also the last show of 9 pm. I always did this for every movie - the first show for my personal record and the second one to understand the movie better. The film released on a Friday and I didn’t want to miss a minute so i reached the theatre early. It was a sold out show and Regal put up the House Full board outside. The lesser I write about the movie the better it is. It was such a drag that I was hardly able to bear the pain of watching it. I remember entertaining the audience with my jokes. At interval almost all the people in the theatre left fuming and abused the film maker Tanvir Ahmed. I laughed at every dialogue delivery of Akbar Khan. I hated him from the bottom of my heart and I felt sorry for Sanjay and Feroz Khan for having such an idiot as a sibling. He was pathetic. At the end of the show I came out and requested people in the queue to cancel their plan to watch the film. I remember being shooed away by the cinema hall staff. I rushed back to the hostel with a headache. The cost of the ticket was a waste of precious money as a hostelite. In the evening I saw my junior Ramz coming in from college. I decided to play a prank with him. “Hey Ramz” I shouted, “ I just saw Akarshan and i was Wowed. It’s a great film buddy. Don’t miss it-Go now- here’s a ticket.” Ramz smiled and hugged me. He immediately ran to his room, changed and left for Regal. Late night, he came and yelled - Why did you do this to me Isar. I was not your enemy man. (Kya dushmani thi yaar). I had a big laugh and then I shouted aloud - Kisi Sey Dushmani Nikalni Ho To Akarshan ka Ticket Leke De Do. Meaning- If you ever want to score over your foe just buy him a free ticket of Akarshan. Many years later both me and Ramz recalled that event and laughed out aloud. I don’t know what others felt about it but for me during those days the synonym I thought for Akarshan was ..”Torture” Isar Qureshi

Though it has a disclaimer that it’s not based on his life- it is the story of India’s No 1 Robinhood - Haji Mastaan Mirza (BAWA). The rise of Dawood is ditto as it was in real life. The end of Mastaan was due to a Heart Attack and not as shown in the movie. This is by far the closest you can get to the underworld story of Bombay. I would have loved to see Vardha Bhais and Karim Lalas story too because Bawa, Lala and Vardha were best pals. Ajay Devgun is superlative and Emraan Hashmi is at his best. The dialogues are stupendous and dramatisation is beautiful. Music is just wow. I give it 7 Stars.