GenZ reacts to Aamir Khan, Urmila Matondkar’s 1995 classic Rangeela: Ram Gopal Varma’s trippiest love triangle still glows. Here’s why

Smoking beaches, flying sofas

While watching different classic films for the GenZ reacts series, I have observed a pattern lately – no movie used to start without a poor VFX element. Even in Rangeela, there was a flying sofa with Aamir and Urmila on it in the track “Mangta Hai Kya”, reminding me of the special effects used in my parents’ wedding video. There was also random smoke on the beach at night, even in their house at times, giving a slight horror vibe to the romantic drama.

A still in Rangeela

Too. many. songs

It might be an enjoyable factor for viewers who love musicals, but I wasn’t very happy with the film having songs at every little point. If La La Land (2016) wouldn’t land on my top 10 list for this reason, why would Rangeela be any different? However, what made it slightly better were legendary artists Asha Bhosle, AR Rahman, and Udit Narayan. While they were a set of beautiful songs, it felt exhausting after a point of time, because of the long duration.

GenZ parents in Boomer era

The parents in Rangeela were… cool? Supportive? It’s actually hard to imagine people having progressive thoughts about man-woman friendships. Munna used to come home almost everyday and shared a close bond with Mili, and her folks were super chill about it. It was a good surprise to watch, honestly! Zero regressive rants about ‘izzat’ or ‘log kya kahenge’.

ALSO READ | Ahmed Khan recalls Saroj Khan and Ram Gopal Varma had a fallout over Rangeela: ‘He paid me Rs 25,000 when Saroj was given Rs 20,000 for a song’

A still in Rangeela

Aamir Khan – Jackie Shroff: Role reversal?

With the image that Jackie dada carries today, it was a pleasant surprise to see Aamir playing that ‘tapori’ in the movie. On the other hand, Jackie essaying the classy star was such a curveball. Today, you’d naturally cast Ranveer Singh as Munna and make Hrithik the posh star. It goes to show how Bollywood stars weren’t after perfect hero roles, but experimented with different avatars while being the centre of attention.

Not to mention, Urmila Matondkar fit perfectly in the character of Mili Joshi. Despite the fact that RGV sensualised each and every song of the actor. Her dance, in fact, all her expressions were showcasing a sensual image – a pure RGV stamp.

RGV and his element

Before being obsessed with horror films and politics, the director was in his element during the 90s era. Ram Gopal Varma has given many gems to the audience, including Rangeela. Despite all its quirks, if the film still felt alive, fresh, modern, and stylish, then its high time that RGV makes a comeback for good.

A still in Rangeela

It would be very new for today’s generation to embrace his filmmaking style. Mainstream cinema was experimental and daring, a risk that most artists aren’t ready to take today. In fact, a lot of films of that time feel painfully dated today, but not this one. If Varma made it now with the same energy, GenZ would eat it up on OTT.

Rangeela’s climax

Did I expect Mili to choose Munna eventually? Yes. Did I expect her to travel with Kamal ji on her entire film premiere night in a dramatic chase? Absolutely not. I wasn’t expecting the climax of Rangeela to turn out the way it did. And did I mention? Spotting Khichdi’s Praful aka actor Rajeev Mehta as a background extra – a waiter? It was a total GenZ easter egg moment.

A still in Rangeela

GenZ verdict on Rangeela

Rangeela is not perfect — but it took the bold step to be different in a decade that wasn’t known for being daring. Watching it today feels like, ‘Damn, why don’t they make them like this anymore?’ Moreover, it felt good to finally be able to relate with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’s dumb charades scene, when Kajol tried to enact Urmila Matondkar, to make everyone guess the film Rangeela. I can now easily understand why the movie became what it is today!