Ram Jaane (1995) User Reviews

You'll recognize it at the end...

[jbengel-2 · 6/10 · 7 March 2008]

It wasn't until the very end of Ram-Janne that I realized I was watching an homage to the 1938 "Angels With Dirty Faces" with James Cagney. If you can hold out that long, the final 15-20 minutes of the film is worth the wait. Until then, this is pretty typical masala fare with Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla dancing their way off to exotic locales not remotely related to the movie. It's those musical interludes -- and a few comical moments during "Ramjanne's" childhood -- that make the majority of the first half of the movie bearable. As much as I love Juhi, her character was a cardboard cutout in most scenes, Vivek Mushran's "Murli" (the alter ego of Pat O'Brien's "Father Jerry Connely" in "Angels") was less saintly than saccharine, and Pankaj Kapur as "Pannu Technicolor" was just plain annoying. Even Shah Rukh's version of Cagney's "Rocky Sullivan" (the title character, "Ram-Janne") couldn't prop this film up most of the way through.

But the film's final scenes vindicate the patient viewer. Yes, it's still Bollywood at its melodramatic best. But the same elements that made "Angels" the classic it is are all in place for the big finish. And perhaps Ram-Janne -- being a masala film -- lends itself even better to this denouement than did its predecessor.

Because it's this kind of scene that Bollywood does better than anyone else. Seeing SRK begging for his life on the way to the gallows is somehow more believable than watching Cagney blubbering in fear on his way to the electric chair. And give credit to F.C. Mehra for at least choosing to remake a film that's not been (re)done to death.

A remake -- by definition -- will never change the course of cinematic history. But if you have an evening to spare, there are far worse choices you could make.

Angels with Dirty Faces

[ArvindVyas · 6/10 · 17 March 2004]

I have seen Angels with Dirty Faces (James Cagney) before I saw Ram Jaane. In fact, I was so impressed by "Angels..." that I thought if I were to make a movie it would be a remake of "Angels...". Then I saw "Ram Jaane".

Cagney certainly is the best in the original.

Sharukh Khan has played the James Cagney's role and Vivek Mushran played the role Pat O'Brien played and Juhi Chawla revived role of Ann Sheridan. Personally I feel that they never came any where closer to the original. The ending, in the original is much better and underplayed compared to the loud ending in "Ram Jaane" that makes "Angels..." much better movie.

If you have seen Ram Jaane you would find "Angels..." much better movie, however if you have already seen the original DO NOT WATCH RAM JAANE.

Music of Ram Jaane is worth forgetting and watching "Angels..." make you wonder if the songs were needed for Ram Jaane!

HUGE let down.....

[crystalbloo92 · 4/10 · 10 December 2005]

I remember how excited I was to see Ram Jaane, I was thinking to myself "This movie is definitely going to rock like all of Shahrukh and Juhi's other films; I can't wait to see it!" But I was WRONG... Ram Jaane ended up falling way below my expectations. The story itself isn't really that exciting or on the other hand that boring, you could say it's about average.

Also, Shahrukh and Juhi weren't even together at all in this film! I know that SRK was in love with Juhi in Ram Jaane, but she was interested in some other guy which practically took out all the fun of the film itself! As for the acting, I'd have to say that Shahrukh had done a fabulous job playing his role and Juhi did a fairly good job at playing the role of Bela.

I, myself as a fan of Shahrukh-Juhi was really disappointed after watching Ram Jaane and I know that many of the other SRK-Juhi fans were let down as well.

All in all, Ram Jaane deserved a 4/10!

Great movie, actually

[phoenix1861-1 · 9/10 · 15 June 2010]

Surprisingly, it's become one of my favorites. Yes, it's really quite uneven and over-the-top in places but it has this very human core and philosophy that won me over... I cried quite a bit. Ram Jaane is not afraid of death... at all. And that's why he evokes so much pity.

I thought Shahrukh really shined in this one. I too thought at first that he was overacting, but really, it's the character. He's supposed to be like this... Quite unhinged... a bit loud, a bit over-the-top and all over the place. But also carefree, simple, lovable, soft and smiling. And why not? Why always think in stereotypes based on Hollywood films that such a character should be more restrained and cool? I thought SRK created a really unique and memorable character. As he always does. All his "baddies" are different. Watch "Josh" for the "cool" one.

Ram Jaane is a whole other story... SRK was plain brilliant in some scenes... many scenes. For example, the one where he learns that Bela loves Murli and not him, and asks Bela what it is that Murli has and he doesn't, and turns away hiding tears.

Juhi is very beautiful and charming as usual. Since I've recently watched quite a few of her and SRK's films and really loved them ("Yes Boss" being the favorite), Juhi is fast becoming one of my favorite actresses, along with Rani, Kajol and Madhuri.

Vivek Mushran as Murli was perfect. I really liked his character.

And last but not least -- the music is great. I listen to the songs quite often and like them all: Ram Jaane, Chori Chori Chal O Gori, Ala la la long Pehla Love Song, and Phenk Hawa Ek Chumma Mein. They may not seem great at first but after a listening to them a few times they really grew on me.

All in all, technically speaking, this film is not a masterpiece but since it's really endeared itself to my heart, I'd give it 9/10. For SRK's acting, for the story, for the music, and for the scorching chemistry with Juhi. I'd choose this over many SRK hits that are better known, like Don or Kal Ho Naa Ho or Mohabbatein or Dil To Pagal Hai or whatever.

Heroic effort!

[dmul53 · 18 April 2003]

This movie has an intriguing story. Two foundling orphans are childhood friends: one turns his misfortune into an opportunity to help others, while the other is unable to rise above his sad beginning and turns to crime. Murli, the good orphan (Vivek Mushran) now runs an orphanage himself, while Ram Jaane (played by Shahrukh Khan, and so named because when he asks a priest what his name is, the priest replies "God knows!" "Ram Jaane!") works for an evil crime lord. Juhi Chawla is Bela, the sweet girl who is loved by both men, but who only has eyes for Murli.

Shahrukh Khan, the undisputed King of Bollywood, is an engaging, riveting, charismatic actor who is unfortunately prone to unprovoked fits of atrocious overracting. Ram Jaane is a case in point. Although he has moments of sheer brilliance in this film (his reading of his goodbye letter to Bella had me in tears) his consistent scenery chewing becomes a distraction in many scenes. Khan is entirely capable of delivering subtle, thoughtful performances, and it's hard to see why the director didn't reign him in a bit here. The character of Ram Jaane has so much potential; he is a tortured soul who longs for love and tries in his own twisted way to be loyal and virtuous, but simply lacks the moral equipment to make the right choices...if played with a bit less hamming this could have been a great film.

Vivek Mushran and Juhi Chawla handle their characters admirably, however, and there are a trio of nice songs: the title song Ram Jaane, another little ditty called Chori Chori that has Juhi and Shahrukh dancing in the fields of Ram Jaane's imagination, and a manic dance number called Pump up the Banghra that's loads of fun. This movie has its moments, but overall fails to live up to its potential.

Shah Rukh Khan Saved the day

[Li_85 · 8/10 · 10 June 2006]

Ram Jaane is a Bollywood attemp in the gangster genre. A copy of James Cagneys Angels with dirty souls. Does it succeed in entertainment and is it worth the watch. The answer is YES, and this is only because of Shah Rukh Khans performance. Ram Jaane (Shah rukh khan) is about a orphan who is dumped in the bin and grows up to be a street wise smart gangster. Shah rukh Khan delivers a Great Performance, full of energy and a lovable confident character, his style, his fast talking, personality throughout. Why doesn't he make more of this kind of role. The movie also stars the very sexy Juhi Chawla in a decent role and looks great in the songs. Vivek Mushram who is long gone and forgotten acts will. Pankaj Kapoor is amusing as the Funny Gangster. Songs are decent. This movie is entertaining. If you like action movies and Shah Rukh Khan, It is worth the watch.

Riveting movie throughout

[scindewriter · 15 October 2002]

I missed this film when it first came out and just saw it on DVD. The story line is very depressing though not really removed from reality.There is a great deal of violence and the usual overblown underworld but all that fades with the presence of Shahrukh Khan. In fact the great strength of the movie is the remarkable performance of Shahrukh Khan as the main protagonist. He is believable as a victim of circumstances who retains great moral strength and ability to fight back but also has pathos. He retains audience sympathy throughout. The heroine Juhi Chawla is rather weak. We can understand the obsession and love of the 'hero' for her but cannot make her out at all. We have to take her at her word that she loves Murli the good character and is just pretending love or affection for the hero. But there is no conflict in her emotions or evidence of what she really feels for the Shahrukh character. Is he able to get through to her at all? The ending is unsatisfactory in this regard. A film well worth seeing for the performance of Shahrukh Khan.

When Shahrukh was an actor

[vishal_wall · 10/10 · 9 January 2007]

I have watched this film may be more than 30 times in theater. There was a time when I used to watch this film everyday in the theater and the only reason was Shahrukh Khan. I can talk about story and other stuff but I really don't think thats important. Every single frame of the film is just Shahrukh Khan. 'Ram Jaane' was a very definite flop but for some people like me it was a mania. I remember I was traveling from Lucknow to Hapur and a rickshaw puller did a somersault and landed very badly on the ground. He just got up and started walking singing the title track. I really liked him because I was also in the same frame of mind for may be two months. I used to try somersaults, rectangular black glasses, jacket without shirts and above all drink directly from the bottle. I also used to get these exciting urges to slap a policeman but somehow I controlled. I wonder how I managed to control myself.

There are lots of other interesting things i.e Background music, Shahrukh's dance, action sequences and of course Pankaj Kapoor. I and a friend of started smoking 'More' for good two months. Every time Shahrukh lit a cigarette we did. Every one in this world watch one film with total devotion for example my father who doesn't watch films watched 'Shree 420' fourteen times. For me it is 'Raam Jaane'. 'Khallas'. I really wish Shahrukh hadn't become so big. 10/10.

Absolutely spectacular!

[deveshbahuguna · 10/10 · 1 January 2018]

This film is the epitome of LOVE, DEATH and PASSION. It successfully captures themes of each aspect, into a breathtaking acting peformnce from the main protagonist Ram Jaane (Shah Rukh Khan), alongside other actors/actresses. The acting reflected the situations in every scene. Lastly, and how can i forget, the songs, catchy and powerful.

angels with dirty faces bolly style

[morgane_mc_scelt · 9 November 2004]

I was quite excited when I saw that this movie was a gangster flick with my favorite Indian actor, Shahrukh Khan, nevertheless SRK's mere presence doesn't make the film any better, actually for once I think it makes it worse.

The movie is a pathetic remake of WB's Angels with dirty faces starring James Cagney (in the part taken by SRK) and I think that SRK has mixed up a lot of Cagney with a bit of Amitabh Bachchan's simpleton in Don (the chewing thing). But this cocktail rather turned me off. Though I sincerely love him, his overacting is truly dreadful, one of the worse performances of his career, but the rest of the cast, though less excessive, is not this wonderful either. The film is replete with a series of nerve-raking songs that never end, when I saw SRK and Juhi on a boat near a sunny desert island, it was really too much!!

Moreover it seems to last forever! The first half hour is tolerable, and has a very nice action scene in a bar. If you wondered where Farah Khan got the great idea of SRK sliding on his knees between the legs of a villain in Main Hoon Na, that's where she got it, and it works damn well. But apart from that there is not much to save.

A pity to remake an overall good US film into a dreadful Bollywood flick, nevertheless they have been luckier with other remakes such as Nayakan (Mani Ratnam) which is a remake of the Godfather and really worth watching.

Keep trying boys ! my grade: 4/10 (5 if U like the fact that SRK never wears a shirt under his jacket, which is pretty sexy but useless)

Despite first impression, a profound movie

[dktf-75282 · 8/10 · 28 January 2023]

I just came here to say that despite everything, this is actually quite a profound movie. And I'm no Shah Rukh Khan expert but I've seen him in movies where he was good, as well as in movies where he was bad. In this one he's good. I started watching this movie not knowing what to expect but I definitely enjoyed the experience. You just have to keep an open mind and let the movie unfold in it's own style.

OK. Apparently you have to write at least 600 characters so here goes. If you're not used to Bollywood movies, you may be taken aback by the overacting. I've come to learn that it's actually an artistic choice in this genre and once you get used to it you realize that it really contributes to the escapism these movies provide.