In our new series, each week one of our writers will take a specific scene and analyze why it is one of the best. This week BollySpice brings you one of the best “death scenes”.
We close the lenses on Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and forward all the way to the end at the sunset death scene of the two star-crossed lovers, Raj and Rashmi (played by Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla).
THE SCENE:
Rashmi runs to Raj as she sees him being shot by her father’s hired “gundas” (gangsters) to finish him off. Why? Well, let’s do some backtracking. Rashmi’s and Raj’s families are rivals, equal in dignity and power, but enemies nevertheless. They despise each other, but that isn’t at all the story between their recently-met children. These star-crossed lovers meet and fall in love, eager to spend their lives with each other. Of course their families are furious and refuse to give in at all. So the two elope and start living in an abandoned part of high mountains. When their families find out, Rashmi’s father hires murderers to finish Raj off. As it so happens, both the families end up at Rashmi’s and Raj’s new home. After a long chase, when the last remaining murderer tries to kill Raj and shoots him in the shoulder, Rashmi runs to his aid. The murderer fires at her with all his bullets and she stumbles, injured deeply, towards the crying Raj. As their shocked families appear, Raj removes the dagger from his belt and stabs himself.
WHAT’S SO SPECIAL?
They say this death scene made Aamir’s career. Apparently, it was so well directed that no one in the theaters could keep from crying. As the sun slowly set and the star-crossed lovers died, a slow, haunting tune of ‘Papa Kehte Hain’ played, and as the lyrics came, so did the tears. This scene was indeed one inspired greatly from “Romeo and Juliet” along with the story of the film. However, this last scene was just its own. Its feeling still lingers in the air while watching any love story.
RATING IN DEATH SCENE CATEGORY:
4.5/5
