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Jaadugar (Jaadugar) (1989) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo

Last updated: 16 Jul 2026

Jaadugar (Jaadugar) (1989) Review

Directed by Prakash Mehra, Jaadugar (Jaadugar) (1989) is a Hindi comedy, fantasy film starring Vikas Anand, Harbans Darshan M. Arora, Amitabh Bachchan. American-returned Shankar Narayan is baffled to witness his former businessman and jailbird dad posing as a soothsayer by the name of Mahaprabhu Janak Sagar Jagat Narayan in a small town ... Our Rating: 1.25/5. Verdict: DISASTER. Released: 25 Aug 1989. Runtime: 2h 53m.

Jaadugar (Jaadugar)
DISASTER

Jaadugar (Jaadugar)(1989)

Hindi · Comedy, Fantasy

2h 53m · 25 Aug 1989

Music: Kalyanji Veerji Shah, Anandji Veerji Shah | Writer: N/A

Comedy

Ratings

IMDbIMDb4.3
LetterboxdLetterboxd0
Metacritic UserMetacritic User0
TMDBTMDB28
Rotten Tomatoes AudienceRotten Tomatoes Audience29

Our Rating

1.25

📖 Story

Jaadugar is a Hindi-language fantasy sports drama centered around a small-town magician who aspires to become a football star. The story follows his journey as he balances his passion for magic with his determination to succeed in football, overcoming various personal and societal obstacles along the way. The narrative blends elements of comedy, drama, and fantasy to deliver a unique tale of ambition and self-belief.

🔍 Analysis

Jaadugar offers an interesting mix of fantasy and sports drama, with a storyline that attempts to blend magic and football in a small-town setting. The screenplay, however, struggles with pacing issues, especially in the first half, which feels slow and occasionally disjointed. The second half picks up momentum as the protagonist's journey gains focus, but the overall narrative lacks the tightness expected from a sports drama.

The film's songs and music, composed by Kalyanji-Anandji, provide some memorable moments, though they do not significantly elevate the film's emotional impact. The background score complements the magical elements but is somewhat inconsistent in maintaining the film's tone. Cinematography details are sparse, but the visual presentation aligns with the late 1980s Bollywood style.

While the film's concept is novel, the execution leaves much to be desired, with uneven screenplay and character development. The blend of fantasy and sports is ambitious but not fully realized, making the film an average entertainer with moments of charm but lacking in overall cohesion.

🎭 Performances

Amitabh Bachchan: Amitabh Bachchan delivers a charismatic performance, bringing his signature screen presence to the role of the magician-footballer, though the script limits the depth of his character.

Vikas Anand: Provides solid support in a character role, adding to the film's narrative fabric.

Bob Christo: Fulfills the typical antagonist role with his usual flair, though with limited screen time.

💪 Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

  • Unique blend of fantasy and sports genres
  • Amitabh Bachchan's charismatic presence
  • Memorable music by Kalyanji-Anandji

Weaknesses

  • Uneven screenplay and pacing
  • Lack of character development
  • Inconsistent background score

🎬 Direction & Writing

Prakash Mehra's direction attempts to merge fantasy elements with a sports narrative, but the execution is uneven. The writing lacks the cohesion and depth needed to fully engage the audience, resulting in a film that feels fragmented at times.

📰 Ratings Sources

No rating sources available.

Our Rating

1.25/5

💰 Box Office Collection

No collection data available yet.

🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards

No centers data available.

No awards data available.

😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics

TypeValue
Positive40%
Neutral35%
Negative25%

Critics

The film received mixed reviews upon release, with critics appreciating the novel concept and Amitabh Bachchan's performance but criticizing the screenplay and pacing. There are no numeric ratings available from major Indian or Telugu critic sources for this film.

Final Box-Office Result

DISASTER

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When did Jaadugar (Jaadugar) release in theatres?

Jaadugar (Jaadugar) released on 25 August 1989 (1989).

Is Jaadugar (Jaadugar) a hit or flop?

Jaadugar (Jaadugar) is declared a DISASTER at the box office.

Where to watch Jaadugar (Jaadugar) online? OTT release date?

Jaadugar (Jaadugar) OTT release date not announced yet.

Who directed Jaadugar (Jaadugar)?

Jaadugar (Jaadugar) directed by Prakash Mehra.

Who are the main cast members of Jaadugar (Jaadugar)?

Jaadugar (Jaadugar) stars Vikas Anand, Harbans Darshan M. Arora, Amitabh Bachchan, Bob Christo, Leena Das.

What is the Tollybo rating for Jaadugar (Jaadugar)?

Tollybo rates Jaadugar (Jaadugar) 1.25/5. Verdict: DISASTER.

Who composed the music for Jaadugar (Jaadugar)?

Music for Jaadugar (Jaadugar) composed by Kalyanji Veerji Shah, Anandji Veerji Shah.

What is the genre and runtime of Jaadugar (Jaadugar)?

Jaadugar (Jaadugar) — Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Runtime: 173 minutes, Language: Hindi.

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