Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988)

Lack of good storyline.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Dhanakpur village farmer Thakur Jaswant Singh (Alok Nath) and Dhanraj Singh (Dalip Tahil) are brothers. They have a younger sister Madhumati, who was used, made pregnant and ditched by Ratan Singh (played by Arjun), the son of Thakur Raghuveer Singh from a big Rajput family. The family refuses Jaswant Singh's request to get his sister married to Ratan. Ratan's family refuses to accept that he is guilty, as they are interested in their status.

This is one of the only films that was watched by almost everyone born in the 1980s or early 1990s. This is a classic that reminds everyone of their childhood. More so because of it's spectacular music, I fondly remember how I used to wait for hours for "Chitrahaar" to play 'Papa Kehte Hain...' I still recall that 'Gazab Ka Hai Din' found a special place in my heart when it was played almost ten times during one of my most memorable road-trips, in the early 1990s. Heck; I started to act like Aamir Khan in front of everyone, because this film had made me wild and unstoppable.Because of QSQT, Bollywood had the pleasure to produce some of the best superstars in Indian cinema - Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla, Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik; you name it, these talents may not had been discovered if it was not for QSQT.Though most people give credit to Aamir, this film is a classic more because of Juhi. Her charm and charisma including her "next-door girl" image created a phenomenon in India. Remember her plain yet so elegant salwar-suits or her innocent smile that made people crazy?If you ask anyone, I'm sure everyone will have various memories and stories associated with this film. QSQT defied the usual Bollywood formula of having a 'Gabbar Singh' or 'Loin' in each film.

Indian cinema has offered so many 'young love stories' like 'Bobby', 'Dil', 'Tezaab', 'Ek Duuje Ke Liye' etc. However, 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' remains my favorite of the lot. It is a somewhat dramatized but humble adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'. There have been numerous adaptations but what really makes this film work are the two leads and the music.I like how the character's were written. Raj isn't the typical macho hero or a romantic, he's just an ordinary young who joined his father's fabric business. Similarly, Laxmi isn't some damsel in distress or a clichéd spoilt brat rebelling against her parents. She's a strong minded young lady who's ready to sacrifice all for her love.Aamir Khan makes his entry to Indian cinema as leading man. He does nothing short of a brilliant job as the naive young Raj. The fact that he's a newcomer only adds to the character's childlike personality. Juhi Chawla already shows that she's here to stay. Not only is she naturally vivacious but she, in a wonderfully subtle way, displays Laxmi's innocence, childlikeness and determination. It's no surprise that since then Aamir and Juhi have been popular for their on screen chemistry. The supporting cast is adequate where Alok Nath stands out.Mansoor Khan's direction also deserves mention as he does not waste much time on unnecessary subplots. He stays mainly focused on the story of the two lovers. Only the beginning, where the conflict between the two families begins, appears a little too dramatic and clichéd. But once Raj is introduced, the film takes off towards a better direction. The background score is irritating most of the time.This was the time when great soundtracks were making a comeback in the commercial Hindi cinema considering that the 80s were infamous for poorest quality in cinema. The songs are soulful, melodious and memorable. After all, who doesn't know 'Papa Kehte Hain', 'Gazab Ka Hai Din' and 'Ae Mere Humsafar'? This is the album that made singer Udit Narayan an overnight star.To me, 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' is one of the most memorable tragic love stories on the Hindi cinema screen. What makes this film unique is the incredible chemistry between the two leads and their characterization. Simply great!

Of all of Bollywood's 'young' love stories (Bobby, Maine Pyar Kiya, Betaab, etc.) Mansoor Khan's 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' is easily my favorite. Though the story is very familiar (it's "Romeo & Juliet" reinvented for India) there is a tenderness and a freshness to the story which is difficult to articulate. It hearkens a very different era of film-making- there is no gloss to speak of, only story, conflict, and human relationships. Refreshing, yes? Of course, most people remember QSQT for introducing two young starlets who would go on to become superstars: Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla. Aamir, though undeniably charming, is slightly awkward (this actually adds to the performance) contrasting Juhi's more confident and elegant performance. There is no denying that they make a stunning couple, complementing each other as perfectly as other renown on screen pairs. Check out 'Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke' and 'Ishq' for more blazing chemistry.The other star of the film is the soundtrack: each song is a classic, my favorite being "Aye Mere Humsafar", which is soft, sweet, and perfectly singable. A MUST SEE and a MUST HEAR!