The 1980s was an era filled with amateurish filmmaking witnessed in dozens of substandard flicks. Many superhits like Watan Ke Rakhwale, Insaniyat Ke Dushman, Jeete Hain Shaan Se, and Dariya Dil were recycled despite their box office performance. However, there were filmmakers like Mahesh Bhatt, Govind Nihalani, Mira Nair, and Sai Paranjape who made hard-hitting films which struck a chord to an audience. However, many of these sadly were not big grossers and the aforementioned unsatisfactory films continued to rake in loads of moolah. Despite this, good filmmakers continued to craft interesting cinema which kept finding an audience. Vinod Pande was one such filmmaker who started out with films like Ek Baar Phir (1980), an offbeat film with a focus on relationship conflicts and an extra-marital relationship. Beyond this, Pande went on to collaborate with a producer, Biddu, on a musical project. This later came to be known as the film, Star (1982).
Biddu's film, Star (1982), was more commercial than Pande's other films. In addition, the film was treated in a realistic manner which makes it a pleasant watch. The film's plot elements like the middle-class boy's parents wanting him to establish himself in an appropriate career is realistically portrayed. The few heated arguments, showcased in the film, between Dev and his family members, like his mother, realistically showed how middle-class families didn't see singing as a viable career option keeping society's view in mind. Despite this obstacle, it was pleasant to see his family support him even if they reluctantly do so. The struggle of Dev to get noticed and kick-start his singing career is realistically shown. His friendship with an aspiring lyricist brings forth nice light moments which makes this struggle period more enlightening and less depressing to watch. This is true even if this friend meets a tragic end. After getting noticed at a club, Charlies, Dev's rise to stardom happens organically as well. His conversations and closeness with Maya are well handled and her care for him is real without any sugar-coated elements. After Dev's brother, Shiv, interacts with Maya and they start bonding well, it can be foreshadowed that they may fall in love and Dev may be heartbroken. This love triangle is also maturely handled. Instead of focusing too much on this, the film stays on track with Dev's rise and other bigger hurdles in his path. For instance, the stylish villain, Rana, stands in between Dev's rise after his popularity gives Charlies such a traction that Rana's club suffers. How does Dev deal with Rana and his tough henchmen? Unlike many 1980s fight scenes, the action here is executed pragmatically where Shiv also taking some blows and bruises from the baddies. Essentially, Star (1982) has the pragmatic and unsentimental treatment which makes the progression of its screenplay very interesting and likable. Is Dev able to overcome all obstacles and become a singing sensation? The film answers this keeping the proceedings rather novel which evokes the audience's curiosity consistently.
Vinod Pande's direction is good with a focus on no-nonsense filmmaking but a few 80s snags cannot be ignored. For instance, after singing on a stage, Dev has time to go and bash Rana, for getting his henchmen to pummel Shiv, in his own house and make it back to sing on time.
Kumar Gaurav puts up a good performance with very likable dialogue delivery. He seems very confident and has the personality and screen presence of a young musician, a rising star. He handles the emotional scenes comfortably and has solid expressions even in the musical sequences. Raj Kiran is very good as the supportive and understanding brother. Every time he has to console and look after Dev in the film, it looks pragmatic and a major reason for this is his natural performance. Rati Agnihotri looks the part very nicely and acts well. She is natural in the songs and her scenes of care towards others melts your heart. Overall, it is very beautifully portrayed. Dina Pathak may appear annoying at first but her anger and concern towards Dev is justified and depicted in a realistic manner. In addition, she naturally understands Dev over time. She has showcased all emotions and acted nicely. A.K Hangal is good as the father who doesn't have much dialogue but his expressions reveals his feelings and care for Dev and the entire family unit. He is understated and consistent with his performance. Saeed Jaffery is typecast as the typical villain but he puts up an entertaining performance. His main henchmen, Bob Christo and Yusuf Khan, are good in their bits. The rest provide decent support.
Biddu's music is a major highlight with most songs making a mark and fitting the situations nicely. The only oddly place song, in my opinion, is Muskuraye Ja. Although a very hummable song, it's placement is distracting as it doesn't transition well in the film. The best song, in my opinion, is Oee Oee. It is executed beautifully and acts as a very pleasant situational song. The title song is also very good but Boom Boom is among the best of the lot with agreeable graphics. These graphics may appear tacky and corny now but it is pleasurable given the time of the film's release. The rest of the songs are functional and lend appropriate support.
On the whole, Star (1982) is a good film which is worth a watch to witness a quality product in an otherwise, at best, mediocre decade. If you want to see a film with commercial elements in the 1980s that rised above the usual trash, watch this gem of a film.
Biddu's film, Star (1982), was more commercial than Pande's other films. In addition, the film was treated in a realistic manner which makes it a pleasant watch. The film's plot elements like the middle-class boy's parents wanting him to establish himself in an appropriate career is realistically portrayed. The few heated arguments, showcased in the film, between Dev and his family members, like his mother, realistically showed how middle-class families didn't see singing as a viable career option keeping society's view in mind. Despite this obstacle, it was pleasant to see his family support him even if they reluctantly do so. The struggle of Dev to get noticed and kick-start his singing career is realistically shown. His friendship with an aspiring lyricist brings forth nice light moments which makes this struggle period more enlightening and less depressing to watch. This is true even if this friend meets a tragic end. After getting noticed at a club, Charlies, Dev's rise to stardom happens organically as well. His conversations and closeness with Maya are well handled and her care for him is real without any sugar-coated elements. After Dev's brother, Shiv, interacts with Maya and they start bonding well, it can be foreshadowed that they may fall in love and Dev may be heartbroken. This love triangle is also maturely handled. Instead of focusing too much on this, the film stays on track with Dev's rise and other bigger hurdles in his path. For instance, the stylish villain, Rana, stands in between Dev's rise after his popularity gives Charlies such a traction that Rana's club suffers. How does Dev deal with Rana and his tough henchmen? Unlike many 1980s fight scenes, the action here is executed pragmatically where Shiv also taking some blows and bruises from the baddies. Essentially, Star (1982) has the pragmatic and unsentimental treatment which makes the progression of its screenplay very interesting and likable. Is Dev able to overcome all obstacles and become a singing sensation? The film answers this keeping the proceedings rather novel which evokes the audience's curiosity consistently.
Vinod Pande's direction is good with a focus on no-nonsense filmmaking but a few 80s snags cannot be ignored. For instance, after singing on a stage, Dev has time to go and bash Rana, for getting his henchmen to pummel Shiv, in his own house and make it back to sing on time.
Kumar Gaurav puts up a good performance with very likable dialogue delivery. He seems very confident and has the personality and screen presence of a young musician, a rising star. He handles the emotional scenes comfortably and has solid expressions even in the musical sequences. Raj Kiran is very good as the supportive and understanding brother. Every time he has to console and look after Dev in the film, it looks pragmatic and a major reason for this is his natural performance. Rati Agnihotri looks the part very nicely and acts well. She is natural in the songs and her scenes of care towards others melts your heart. Overall, it is very beautifully portrayed. Dina Pathak may appear annoying at first but her anger and concern towards Dev is justified and depicted in a realistic manner. In addition, she naturally understands Dev over time. She has showcased all emotions and acted nicely. A.K Hangal is good as the father who doesn't have much dialogue but his expressions reveals his feelings and care for Dev and the entire family unit. He is understated and consistent with his performance. Saeed Jaffery is typecast as the typical villain but he puts up an entertaining performance. His main henchmen, Bob Christo and Yusuf Khan, are good in their bits. The rest provide decent support.
Biddu's music is a major highlight with most songs making a mark and fitting the situations nicely. The only oddly place song, in my opinion, is Muskuraye Ja. Although a very hummable song, it's placement is distracting as it doesn't transition well in the film. The best song, in my opinion, is Oee Oee. It is executed beautifully and acts as a very pleasant situational song. The title song is also very good but Boom Boom is among the best of the lot with agreeable graphics. These graphics may appear tacky and corny now but it is pleasurable given the time of the film's release. The rest of the songs are functional and lend appropriate support.
On the whole, Star (1982) is a good film which is worth a watch to witness a quality product in an otherwise, at best, mediocre decade. If you want to see a film with commercial elements in the 1980s that rised above the usual trash, watch this gem of a film.