I am not the biggest fan of watching romantic – comedies (though I am not sure if Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak qualifies much in terms of comedy) but a few days ago, I was intrigued (and semi-bulldozed by a friend) enough to sit through one from the late 1980s. Qayamat se Qayamat Tak – is basically a “Romeo and Juliet” story set in modern Indian context.

Like many Bollywood movies of that time (though times have not really changed much :-P), it has its weaknesses. The romance is shown naively (but understandable as the protagonists are a couple of teenagers) and it has some odd parts of the story left unanswered.

But there is a lot this movie could teach today’s ‘modern’ film-makers who claim to say their movies are ‘different’. I could count about 6 things (could be more) QSQT could teach today’s films.

1. The characters in the movie are consistent. They do not change their personalities. The main characters (though there are some side shows which are a little inexplicable) are well etched out and are not one-dimensional.
2. The fight sequences are realistic even by today’s standards. When outnumbered the hero gets beaten up until his friends arrive. Though the climax has some outlandish fighting but then come on this is 1988 we are talking about.
3. The heroine actually has a role and what more, her character actually has a personality.
4. The movie has the two main characters repeating clothes through the movie. Yes, normal people repeat the clothes they wear.
5. The movie ends with a tragedy but it happens fast. In other words the tragedy is tragic and does not slip into comedic territory.
6. The movie did not have a single item number.

Finally, I realized the movie actually tackled the issue of ‘honour killings’. It also addresses correctly that honour killings are done by city living folks and not just people from villages of India.

Now I am ready to finally watch more movies form the 80s. Any suggestions? Do drop them in your comments.