Jungle (2000) User Reviews (9)

Technically excellent, but hampered by poor screenplay....

[atul_khare · 6/10 · 13 March 2005]

Jungle features some outstanding cinematography by Vijay Arora. Shot in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio with a wide angle camera lens, it does of stunning job of capturing the ambiance of the jungle, including wildlife. It also features some fine performances by Urmila and the "bad guys", including Vijay Raaz who is especially memorable. In contrast, I thought that Sunil Shetty was passable at best and IMO he's too soft faced to play a cop obsessed with tracking down his arch foe.

Ram Gopal Verma does a fine job of creating suspense and some scenes in the jungle are especially gut wrenching. However, he too is hampered by the commercial considerations of Bollywood cinema and the ill placed songs -- which border on the absurd at times -- don't help matters any.

The film's biggest let down is its screenplay, which cannot decide whether it wants to be romance story or a gritty thriller. The characters seem to engage in downright silly behaviour even when faced with life threatening situations. The villain's actions are inexplicable and some things seem to have been written with the express purpose of driving the storyline forward.

That said, considering the trash that Bollywood churns out, this is certainly one of the better films and Verma should be commended for trying to break the narrow formulaic cinematic mould.

Amazing movie!!!

[abhilashvaidya · 7/10 · 11 April 2020]

I liked this movie.One of the best movie of Ram Gopal Varma.This movie holds you from starting to climax.Good cinematography shot in the jungle.A thriller movie with suspense.

More jungle than you could ever imagine

[Hysteria28 · 7/10 · 31 May 2010]

Ram Gopal Verma is renowned for making movies on different genres and themes. He has always adopted many unique forms of direction. 'Jungle' is one movie that may have been forgotten by many. But to this day is far more superior than many of the moves that he makes. This movie was made at a time when Verma made every movie with high standard despite the low budget. Currently he has resorted somehow to focusing on high costs and low quality formula. In my opinion I still regard him as a film maker who has a high vision. 'Jungle' is low on the production value standard but the movie has been shot with quality aspects.

'Jungle' revolves around a safari touring group that are help captive in the forest reservation by a gang after one of their members are captured. They expect his release in return for the hostages. However Urmaila Matondkar is kept behind and Fardeen Khan vows to get her back. The opening scene brings back memories of 'Jaws'. Maybe it was the directors idea to pay homage to the classic. The scene of the army commando truck unexpectedly exploding was very reminiscent.

It can be a difficult mission to make a movie in the jungle and forest regions however Verma has accomplished this with great skill. He has used highly stylish camera angles and has fulfilled his part to his full potential. The movie reaches the 2 hour 25 minute region. However this goes against the second half segment of the movie as it resorts to a game of cat and mouse between the characters. Sunil Shetty searches for Sushant and Sushant searches Urmila. The first half has more momentum in its pace.

The writer has combined a humorous tone in many serious situations. This gives the viewer the indication that these jungle gangs have feelings too and are human. Sandeep Chowta is once again on to a winner with a fabulous background score. It deserves recognition. Without it the movie would not have had such a impact originally. The background music is the heart of the movie. It assists bringing a soul and feeling in to many of the scenes.

Urmila Matondkar does not get the opportunity to display much versatility in her role. She has nothing to do but behave as the damsel in distress and shout and scream. Her scope in the movie was limited. But she did her part well. Her clothing was not suited to her role. Maybe jeans would have been appropriate.

The is movie is to be advised to be viewed in high definition as the picture quality and sound are much better.

Great offering by a master of cinema.

[chutneylix · 9 April 2003]

Ram Gopal Varma movies are always interesting to watch as they usually offer something different yet entertaining. This particular movie starts of as a routine love story as Siddhu (Fardeen Khan) and Anu (Urmila Matondkar) meet, fight, hate and miraculously fall in love somehow. Thankfully all this excitement happens in the first few reels.

Before the two lovebirds can confess to their parents, Anu's family decides to go on vacation in a jungle somewhere. Siddhu, being the hopeless romantic follows his 'Mehbooba' into the depths of greenness. This is where things get interesting. One fine day the family and their tour group decide to go on a safari. While riding through the jungle, bandits or whatever those dirty, smelly ruffians are called attack the bus, kill a few people and kidnap the rest. Siddhu dearest is duly notified and distressed as any proper hero should be.

Here the police and all the useles people come in. Here we find out the head smelly bandit is this hairy guy called Durga Narayan. They try to do all kinds of stuff but aren't successful. After some bargaining, the bandit fellows release all the prisoners except 1, guess who? Anu of course. So it seems Hairy Durga has become smitten with her charming screams. Now back to Siddhu dearest who gets really really worried this time on not seeing Anu among the freed people and decides to take matters into his own hands.

So then he finds her and escapes into the jungle where they are followed by Durga and his smelly comrades. Now they are stuck in the jungle, not knowing where to go.

The movie is just fantastic. Enough thrills and chills to excite any viewer, its thoroughly entertaining. Fardeen and Urmila do their part dutifuly. I must say that Fardeen has improved significantly but still has to work on his extremely fake laugh. Sushant Singh as Hairy Durga is quite hairy but more importantly quite creepy. Never heard of this guy before this movie, but he was good. Watch him in Raj Kumar Santoshi's The Legend of Bhagat Singh, he is awesome.

Also notable is the background music, Sandeep Chowta as usual is brilliantly chilling. The jungle is captured beautifully by the camera. Overall, a great product, definately give it a watch. If you like good entertaining cinema, you'll love this one.

Forest is not meant for humans

[ridi-arahan · 7/10 · 12 February 2021]

What worked: The movie brings out its authenticity from the use of Jungle as the means to narrate the story. The forest is one of the pivotal elements of the movie, and it added flavor with the presence of real animals such as tiger, elephant, snakes and many more. What did not work: I think the movie could have been cut down by 1. Cutting down the songs 2. Cutting down the scenes that were not important to the narrative 3. Repetitive scenes. There were many chase scenes in the movie, some of which could have been taken down. Final verdict: for the time it was released, it's something

This movie brings out the REAL talent in Bollywood.

[hindimoviehero · 9/10 · 15 May 2003]

Once again its RAM GOPAL VERMA to the rescue !

Jungle is an amazing thriller from start to end. The movie is about a terrorist group that hold a bunch of tourists hostage. Since this is a hindi movie, one of the hostages had to be the pretty heroine (Urmila) and the hero (Fardeen Khan) had to go save her.

Every single actor in this movie did an amazing job, especially the actors playing the role of terrorists. After watching them, you don't know whether to laugh with the terrorists (because of the way they talk) or to feel freaked out by what they talk about. Most of the scenes are funny and at the same time highly disturbing. One minute you are laughing, the other your jaw drops in horror.

I loved everything about this movie. It's definitely worth watching

RGV had an era

[dkgupta493 · 10/10 · 3 July 2022]

Jungle the movie explains all with its name. The cast selection is superb. You wont get bored at aby moment. Full of passion in love it shows and very good acting by fardeen n urmila.

Ram Gopal Varma's Jungle - A real visual treat

[salilvv · 17 August 2011]

JUNGLE tells the story of 2 lovers getting separated by wild men. The men (and a woman) in this movie are real wild and will ride you through horror and laughter. Urmila was good, her second best to Rangeela. Sushant Singh was first rate with his looks and movements. Fardeen was watchable. Rajpal Yadav was a big surprise in this movie, a role which he has never played nor will play.

The best about the movie are cinematography and sound. I think the critic and box office response to this movie has inspired RGV to experiment the same techniques (with a difference) in Bhoot. If I've to point out the best three movies of Ram Gopal Varma, JUNGLE will follow Sathya and Company. A must watch movie for strong performances.

Excellent.

[rupanisp · 10/10 · 28 November 2002]

Song called Patli Kamar is piece of Art.

A mordern Art mastered by His Excellency Great Director Mr. Ram

Gopal Verma.

Excellent song.

Thanks and Regards.