Star
1982 · Directed by Vinod Pande
Original language: Hindi
- drama
- family
The story
Dev Kumar Verma comes from a middle-class family and must find employment to support his dad and mom. Dev, however, has set his mind upon becoming a music sensation like Elvis Presley. He loses his job because of this, and refuses to work until and unless he gets a job to his liking, much to the dismay of his parents and his brother, Shiv Kumar. Dev does get employment at Charlie's Disco, where he meets with Maya and falls in love with her. When Charlie's Disco's competitor, Rana, finds out about Dev, he wants to hire Dev, but Dev decides to continue to work with Charlie's Disco, as a result Dev and Charlie get a beating by Rana's men, and Dev is unable to sing. After recuperating, Dev is devastated to find out that Maya and Shiv Kumar are in love with each other. What impact will this have on Dev and his brother on one hand, and what of his career in music?
What it’s like
Bright, glossy 1980s studio color, with disco-era stage lights washing over nightclub floors and a middle-class Bombay household lit warmly and plainly. The songs carry the film: synth-tinged pop and disco numbers, big choruses, and dance sequences staged with the open exuberance typical of Hindi cinema of the period, set against quieter scenes of family talk over dinner. The mood swings between buoyant and wistful, with a melodramatic sweetness that never fully sours. The pacing is loose and episodic, built around performances and emotional confrontations rather than suspense. Its central figure is a young dreamer whose ambition strains his bond with his family, and the story turns on jealousy, loyalty and romance. Intensity is moderate: there is a brawl with rivals and some scenes of threat and injury, but no gore, and the tension stays emotional more than frightening. Suits a lazy weekend afternoon, a nostalgic evening, or anyone who loves old-school musical drama. Best for viewers who want big songs, heartfelt family melodrama and a retro disco glow.
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