JAANE BHI DO YAARON by Singh, Jai Arjun

Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is considered one of the best film-related books to have come out in recent times. It is an encapsulation of all that went into the making of the movie, including the script, cast, pre-production, and the final release.

Summary Of The Book

A modestly-made film that does not cease to astound audiences, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is undoubtedly one of India’s finest dark comedies. However, the making of this smooth satire was anything but smooth. In this book that goes by the same name, Jai Arjun Singh brings to light the entertaining story behind the making of Hindi cinema’s favourite cult movie. 

The success of the film can be attributed more to the enthusiasm and sheer dedication of those who wanted to make it than the resources and luck they had to make it. This very fact is what makes it a work of brilliance despite its many flaws. The author’s take on this and many other aspects of the movie make the book an interesting read.

The book acquaints the readers with lesser known facts surrounding the movie like the difficulty with which some scenes were shot, the omission of a talking gorilla from the cast, and the fact that even though Naseeruddin Shah was the only popular face in the movie, he admits to not being able to play a certain part in the movie adequately.

Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is divided into four different parts. In the beginning, it traces the events that led to the making of the film in the first place and the ideas that were shot and later rejected. The following parts deal with the actual shooting of the movie, rifts between the director and the main actors, and the final release and the largely unexpected appreciation of the film. 

Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is a must read for everyone who has watched the movie and pondered about its intricacies time and again. The author has done full justice in his research and analysis of the movie. The charming tone of the book ensures that the reader remains thoroughly engaged and falls in love with the movie all over again.

About Jai Arjun Singh

Born in 1977, Jai Arjun Singh is a freelance writer, journalist, and a critic. He has worked for The Sunday Guardian, Tehelka, The Hindustan Times, and Business Standard, amongst others.

In addition to this book, Singh has edited Popcorn Essayists : What Movies do to Writers and Excess : The Tehelka Book of Stories. He started blogging in 2004 and writes about films, books, culture, and other things of interest in his popular blog, Jabberwock.

Singh pursued a bachelor’s degree in commerce at the college level. He is currently based in New Delhi, India.