Diwana

Diwana casts a middle-aged Raj Kapoor in the type of role he was so known for playing - the simple-minded, unassuming, and kind-hearted man who finds himself in the midst of a relationship with a young, far more sophisticated woman. Sometimes it works, like in the case of Anari and Teesri Kasam, but here it doesn't quite work. First, Raj Kapoor is a little too old for the part, to put it mildly, and secondly, he really overplays his character's naivety which almost gets on the nerved. The film itself is quite a poor story which lacks freshness, and the director does very little to help it. This is not to say Diwana is a complete waste of time. First, it has beautiful music. My favorite song, "Tumhari Bhi Jai Jai" is a true gem in the voice of Mukesh. Saira Banu, as his leading lady, starts as quite a spoiled brat but grows into her own as the story proceeds. Lalita Pawar is great as always. The film gets better towards the end where it turns into a murder mystery of sorts, and the court sequence is quite enjoyable even though it's very stagy. Still, it may not be of the best films you'll see, but Diwana might hold some nostalgic value. Generally speaking, it is quite a forgettable fare.