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RARE PIX: The Making of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro

Last updated on: October 07, 2017 12:42 IST

Have you seen these lovely behind-the-scenes pictures of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro?

IMAGE: Naseeuddin Shah, Neena Gupta, Satish Shah, Om Puri and Ravi Baswani. Photographs: Gopal Shetty

When Kundan Shah's cult classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro released in 1983, it was no blockbuster. In fact, it barely did well at the box office.

The film was made on a very small budget of Rs 8-9 lakh, and starred the then non-stars like Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Ravi Baswani and Neena Gupta.

We take a look back at the film's cast, as they met up at Kundan Shah's flat in Bandra, a western suburb of Mumbai, to discuss a film that would soon become iconic.

IMAGE: Naseeuddin Shah, Kundan Shah, Neena Gupta, Satish Shah, Om Puri, Ravi Baswani and Binod Pradhan. Photographs: Gopal Shetty

Kundan Shah (second from left) joins his cast.

Even though he made many films later like Kya Kehna and Dil Hai Tumhara, he could never quite re-create the JBDY magic again.

Binod Pradhan (extreme right) was the cinematographer of the film, and he went on to working in such films like Parinda, 1942: A Love Story, Devdas, Munnabhai MBBS and Rang De Basanti.

IMAGE: Naseeuddin Shah, Neena Gupta, Satish Shah, Om Puri and Ravi Baswani Photographs: Gopal Shetty

All the actors in the film have gone on to contribute much more to cinema in India and abroad.

Ravi Baswami passed away in 2010 after a massive heart attack. He was 63.

IMAGE: Om Puri, Satish Shah, Neena Gupta, Naseeruddin Shah and Ravi Baswami Photographs: Gopal Shetty

The film's crew went on to become among the who's who of the film industry as well.

Sudhir Mishra, who co-wrote the story and screenplay, and also assisted Kundan Shah, is a reputed director today with films like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi and Yeh Saali Zindagi to his credit.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra was the production controller and even made a cameo in the film as Dushaasan. He went on to direct films like Parinda and 1942: A Love Story, and produce the Munnabhai movies and 3 Idiots.

Binod Pradhan did the cinematography and the late Renu Saluja was the film editor.

IMAGE: Naseeruddin Shah and Neena Gupta Photographs: Gopal Shetty

Rediff.com film critic Sukanya Verma wrote in an earlier column on the film: Kundan Shah's debut film became the Sholay of his career. Like Ramesh Sippy, Shah could never better Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron. His Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa had the old touch but it wasn't the same.

IMAGE: Om Puri, Neena Gupta and Satish Shah Photographs: Gopal Shetty

Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro enjoyed a re-release in theatres in November 2012.

This article was first published in November 2012.

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