The 1980s was a decline period for Bollywood as well as a development period. Many films were noted for their awesome storyline, their awesome acting from the cast, and their awesome music. However, the 80s was also known for some of its most mindless and heavily typical films.
In this case, Jeete Hain Shaan Se is one of those mindless typical films which didn't do so well at the box office. The movie has nothing new to offer, the same storyline told in a different way. The only difference is the cast and the songs. However, I have nothing against typical movies(why would I take my time to watch these films then), its just that some of these films aren't handled that well. JHSS is also a delayed film, it started in 1985 and released in 1988. The reason was some violent shots taking when Govinda is beaten up and Mithun(his brother in the film) comes to the rescue. The scene was rejected by the central board of film and the filmmakers didn't want an A certificate therefore, they fixed this problem which took 2 years to shoot and re edit.
The story is done to death and I won't bother telling. Mix any Amitabh classic like Amar Akbar Anthony, Naseeb with 80s done to death films with damn good handling like Yudh or Tridev(which came after this crap film) and you get Jeete Hai Shaan Se. To be more specific, mix any 70s and some 80s films with the long lost family drama and the typical villains and the action and you will get the story of this film. Not only is the story typical but it is badly handled and horribly narrated. Editing is stupid and even if the scenes match some of them don't fit together, editing is therefore poor.
Sanjay Dutt as Govinda does a decent job though this is no challenge for him, he has played so many roles like this in the 80s and his flop films that had him play these kind of roles in the 90s were actually better. Govinda as Iqbal(Johnny's Brother) does an average job and he hardly has any role in the film. Mithun Chakraborty as Johnny is funny and damn good in parts but he overacts badly at some parts. Mandikini the 80s heroine does what she is required to do. Danny is typecast and lame as the main villain, he makes you laugh at the wrong places and hams it up badly in some scenes. He has done much better in some of his other films as the villain. The rest are average and do what is required to do.
Action is cheesy and over the top but not as over the top as action from films like Rowdy Rathore or Dabanngg Franchise. Direction by Kawal Sharma is average, he handles some comedy scenes and some serious scenes with action well but in general, he hasn't done a good job as the film drags badly in parts and the comedy is not enough to cover the awful drag. Although, this film is much better than the awful and long delayed Sanjay Dutt starer from 1995. Music is stupid and unintentionally funny. There is one famous song that did quite well but most of the songs are stupid and the tune is typical. Even typical songs have catchy lyrics, this one fails to deliver catchy and decent lyrics. Like the Rice Plate song which describes Mithun's character nearing the beginning of the film after the first few action sequences is so bad its funny.
On the whole, Jeete Hain Shaan Se is not a good film and it fails to deliver. For being a Dutt-Mithun film, I had my hopes up and I expected this to be better than the crap Illaka they acted in from 1989. However, this film proved to be a dud. Thank God the Govinda-Sanjay Dutt Jodi had damn good films like Taaquatwar, Andolan, Jodi No 1 and Haseena Maan Jayeege to their credit. Otherwise, the Mithun-Sanjay Jodi never quite worked out.
