2402:3A80:698:4C94:E9CF:2B5A:DB09:842D at 15:13, 10 June 2021

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{{Short description|2003 film by Nagesh Kukunoor}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2013}}
{{Infobox film
| name = 3 Deewarein
| image = 3 Deewarein poster.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = Poster
| director = [[Nagesh Kukunoor]]
| producer = Metalight Productions ([[Elahe Hiptoola]] Sanjay Sharma)
| writer = [[Nagesh Kukunoor]]
| story = Nagesh Kukunoor
| screenplay = Nagesh Kukunoor
| starring = [[Juhi Chawla]] [[Nagesh Kukunoor]] [[Naseeruddin Shah]] [[Jackie Shroff]] [[Gulshan Grover]] [[Ranganath (actor)|Ranganath]]] and [[Sujata Mehta]]

| music = [[Salim–Sulaiman]]
| cinematography = [[Ajayan Vincent]]
| editing = [[Sanjib Datta]]
| studio =
| distributor = [[Shemaroo Video Pvt. Ltd.]]
| released = {{Film date|2003|8|1||df=y}}
| runtime = 120 min
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| budget = {{INRConvert|21|m|nolink=yes}}
| gross = INR 4,703,000 (India) (15 August 2003) (sub-total)
}}
'''3 Deewarein''' ({{trans|3 Walls}}) is a 2003 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[crime film]] written, directed and co-starred by [[Nagesh Kukunoor]]. [[Juhi Chawla]], [[Jackie Shroff]], [[Naseeruddin Shah]], [[Gulshan Grover]] and [[Sujata Mehta]] form the rest of the cast. The film narrates the story of three prisoners and a documentary [[film director|filmmaker]] who, while filming their reformation story in the prison, finds redemption with her own troubled marriage. The film was showcased among the Indian panorama section, at the 2003 [[International Film Festival of India]].<ref name="iffi_2003">{{Cite web |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/FrmIP2003Award.aspx?PdfName=IP2003.pdf |title=2003 India Panorama - Directorate of Film Festivals |access-date=8 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328100714/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/FrmIP2003Award.aspx?PdfName=IP2003.pdf |archive-date=28 March 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The film was also premiered at the [[Kolkata Film Festival]].<ref name="kolkata_fest">{{cite news|last=Sircar|first=Subhra|title=Desi films draw bigger crowds than foreign films|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/calcutta-times/desi-films-draw-bigger-crowds-than-foreign-films/articleshow/28207005.cms|access-date=22 September 2010|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=14 November 2002}}</ref> After having been screened at the [[Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles]], where it was well received, the film was screened at the Commonwealth Festival at [[Manchester]], it was nominated as one of the top five films, at the gala presentation. Nagesh Kukunoor has also received the [[Filmfare Award for Best Story]].<ref name="iffi_2003"/>

== Plot ==
Three men are on [[death row]]. Jaggu ([[Jackie Shroff]]), a lawyer and a poet, is serving a sentence for murdering his wife because she was cheating on him with another man. Nagya ([[Nagesh Kukunoor]]), a man angry with the whole world, is arrested for murdering his wife too, but he claims that it was an accident where she falls off the sidewalk while they were in the middle of a heated argument. Ishaan ([[Naseeruddin Shah]]), a happy-go-lucky man, is also arrested for [[homicide|murder]] that he commits while in the act of robbery. The prison's custodian is Mohan ([[Gulshan Grover]]), who attempts several methods to reform the prison's inmates. A documentary [[film director|filmmaker]], Chandrika ([[Juhi Chawla]]) comes to the jail to set a film about these three men. In the process, she finds redemption to her troubled marriage.

== Production ==
During the film's premiere at the [[Kolkata Film Festival]], writer-director [[Nagesh Kukunoor]] explained his thoughts behind the film's story:
<blockquote>I was intrigued by the feelings of a person locked up somewhere. Momentary excitement can ruin you and confine you to a prison for the rest of your life. In my film, the convicts tell their stories to the film-maker, played by Juhi ([[Juhi Chawla|Chawla]]). And, at the end, each story links with the others.<ref name="motivation">{{cite news|last=Times News Network|title=What’s hot? Bachchan in Tandoor!|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/Whats-hot-Bachchan-in-Tandoor/articleshow/28377474.cms|access-date=22 September 2010|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=15 November 2002}}</ref></blockquote>

In another interview before the film's release, Kukunoor spoke about his inspiration from a documentary film on prisoners at the [[Yerwada Central Jail]]. After watching this film, he spoke to two ex-convicts who were featured in it. After hearing to their stories, Kukunoor was interested with the premise that a normal person could become a convict so easily.<ref name="interview1">{{cite news|title=Rediff-movies|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/aug/01deewar.htm}}</ref> However it took him three years to start writing the script.<ref name="interview2">{{cite news|last=Mahesh|first=Chitra|title=It is absolute passion for cinema|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/08/15/stories/2003081501520400.htm|access-date=22 September 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=15 August 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070821111425/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/08/15/stories/2003081501520400.htm|archive-date=21 August 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Kukunoor wrote the script in English initially and named it as ''Three Walls''. But the producer felt that English title would take away potential audience, who would, otherwise, have watched the film.<ref name="interview1" />

The film was made on a budget of {{INRConvert|21|m|nolink=yes}}.<ref name="interview3">{{cite news|last=Varghese |first=Nina |title=The White formula for crossover success |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/businessline/2003/08/11/stories/2003081100451400.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121013025233/http://www.hinduonnet.com/businessline/2003/08/11/stories/2003081100451400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 October 2012 |access-date=22 September 2010 |newspaper=[[The Hindu Business Line]] |date=10 August 2003 }}</ref> The budget for this film was comparatively higher than his previous films. Kukunoor reasoned it to cover the cost of three established actors, shooting in a real jail. The post-production was also relatively expensive because of the usage of digital effects and special treatment in shooting prison scenes. Kukunoor also felt that it was important for them to make the film as per international standards because it will reach the [[Fictional crossover|crossover audiences]].<ref name="interview1" /> On a certain occasion, Kukunoor said that he has had problems finding funds for making his films. He attributes this problem to sticking out of the stereotype.<ref name="interview2" />

Unlike in Kukunoor's previous films,<ref name="interview3" /> this film contains 75% of its dialogues in [[Hindi language|Hindi]] because the script demanded it. Since the convicts couldn't possibly speak in English, it was imperative for the dialogues to be written in Hindi.<ref name="interview1" />

The film has a background score alone. Unlike other Bollywood films which contain songs that are [[dubbing (filmmaking)|lip-synced]] by the actors, Kukunoor felt that songs can interfere with the narrative of the film. Although he chose to use songs in ''[[Rockford (film)|Rockford]]'' (1999) and ''[[Bollywood Calling]]'' (2001), he went against using them in this film.<ref name="interview1" />

=== Cast ===

Apart from ''Bollywood Calling'', which featured veteran actor [[Om Puri]], Kukunoor's previous films such as ''[[Hyderabad Blues]]'' (1998) and ''Rockford'' did not feature mainstream actors. In this film, Kukunoor felt it exciting to cast and work with several established actors such as [[Jackie Shroff]], [[Naseeruddin Shah]] and [[Juhi Chawla]]. While writing the script for the film, Kukunoor kept Chawla in mind for the character of Chandrika. He did so because he wanted Chawla's "naive honesty" to be fashioned into the character. Though Chawla was typecast in light-hearted roles in her acting career, Kukunoor chose to go against the norm by casting her in a serious role.<ref name="interview1" />

The rest of the characters were cast after the completion of the script. Kukunoor did not have to convince the actors for agreeing to be cast in this film. He only depended on his script.<ref name="interview2" /> Although the character of Ishaan was initially written to be that of a man in his thirties, he could not find a suitable actor during the casting stage.<ref name="interview1" />

During the filmmaking, Kukunoor's experienced contrasting working styles of the actors. While Shroff preferred specific instructions from him, Shah came to him with very specific ideas. Kukunoor was full of praise for Chawla because of her suggestions during the shooting.<ref name="interview2" />

=== Filmmaking ===
Because the script demanded prison setting, the production team spent several days in search of a right prison. Luckily for them, they found a defunct [[Musheerabad Jail]] in [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]] which was soon to be demolished. After obtaining a local court's order to stay the demolition for 36 days, the crew worked hard to complete the shoot within two days of the allotted time.<ref name="interview1" /> Shortly thereafter, the prison area was demolished and in a few months a newly constructed hospital was opened for public access.<ref name="prison_hospital">{{cite news|title=Gandhi Hospital begins a new era|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/06/15/stories/2004061513980300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040618125350/http://www.hindu.com/2004/06/15/stories/2004061513980300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 June 2004|access-date=22 September 2010|date=14 June 2004|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref name="college_hospital">{{cite news|last=V|first=Geetanath|title=No official sanction for new Gandhi Hospital complex?|url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/11/09/stories/2003110910910300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040101080656/http://www.hindu.com/2003/11/09/stories/2003110910910300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 January 2004|access-date=22 September 2010|date=9 November 2003|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

Because of shooting in the prisons, different sections in the film were given separate color treatment.<ref name="interview1" /> Kukunoor explains this by highlighting the fact that "in prisons, the only source available to them in the nights is the moonlight. One or two lone bulbs burn here and there."<ref name="interview2" /> To ensure appropriateness of this scene, Kukunoor used shades of grey and blue deliberately.<ref name="interview2" />

== Release ==
In November 2002, the film premiered at the [[Kolkata Film Festival]].<ref name="kolkata_fest"/> After having been screened at the [[Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles]], where it was well received, the film was screened at the Commonwealth Festival at [[Manchester]], where it was the gala presentation and it was nominated as one of top five films the festival's audience loved. At a special screening in [[Mumbai]]'s Sterling Cinema a few days before its commercial release, 800 attendees gave the film a standing ovation. A similar response was seen at a New Delhi theatre while the film was being screened as a part of the CineMaya Film Fest. The response from the initial screening prompted the organizers to include an additional screening to the festival itinerary.<ref name="rediff_review">{{cite news|last=N|first=Anjum|title=Without compromise|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/aug/01deewar.htm|access-date=22 September 2010|newspaper=[[Rediff]]|date=1 August 2003}}</ref>

The film was to have its commercial release immediately after the screenings at different film festivals in November 2002. However it got delayed because the producers took time in trying to coordinate a simultaneous release in Indian and the international markets.<ref name="interview1" />

A few days prior to its commercial release, the film was promoted using brochures. Though a relatively expensive approach when compared to press releases or calendars, publicity was conducted through brochures. The film competed at the box office with ''[[Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost]]'', ''[[Koi... Mil Gaya]]'', ''[[Gangaajal]]'' and ''[[Pinjar (film)|Pinjar]]''.<ref name="promotion">{{cite news|last=Bhattacharya|first=Roshmila|title=12 steps to promotion|url=http://www.screenindia.com/old/fullstory.php?content_id=5054|access-date=22 September 2010|newspaper=[[Screen (magazine)|Screen Weekly]]|date=18 July 2003}}</ref> When compared to other films, this film had little publicity prior to its release.<ref name="publicity">{{cite news|last=Mehra|first=Amod|title=Chori Chori|url=http://www.screenindia.com/old/fullstory.php?content_id=5431|access-date=22 September 2010|newspaper=Screen Weekly|date=8 August 2003}}</ref>

== Reception ==
Noted critic [[Taran Adarsh]] found the depiction of the lives of prisoners to be realistic. He speaks high about the well-written script that were enacted and executed well in the film. Adarsh highlights the scene where Chandrika (played by Chawla) confronts her husband to be the best cinematic sequences of that time. While applauding Kukunoor for treating the subject with care, Adarsh felt that the film would only attract intelligent audiences who would choose to watch it on a DVD. In his review, he gives a special mention to Ajayan Vincent's cinematography by saying that the settings looked real.<ref name="adarsh">{{cite news|last=Adarsh|first=Taran|title=Movie Review|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/7076/index.html|access-date=22 September 2010|newspaper=Bollywoodhungama.com|date=31 July 2003}}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'', in its review, said:
<blockquote>A story that is nevertheless unusual and gripping. But you may not really agree with the way it ends. Touches of irony, in an otherwise grim situation, give this film its element of faint chuckles.<ref name="hindu_review">{{cite news|last=Mahesh|first=Chitra|title=Theen Deewarein|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/08/15/stories/2003081501450201.htm|access-date=22 September 2010|newspaper=The Hindu|date=15 August 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225002040/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2003/08/15/stories/2003081501450201.htm|archive-date=25 February 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref></blockquote>

The review adds that if the film succeeds commercially, then it is a true triumph for Indian cinema.<ref name="hindu_review" /> The review by ''[[Rediff.com]]'' spoke highly about Kukunoor's strength in dealing with a genre that is not often dealt by Bollywood filmmakers. Vincent's cinematography and the background score of [[Salim-Sulaiman]] were regarded highly. The review also appreciates the performance of Naseeruddin Shah by calling him a "scene-stealer."<ref name="interview1" /> American entertainment weekly, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', said in its review that Kukunoor's story, with its twists, would impress an American filmmaking fan of Indian cinema. However the reviewer, Robert Koehler, felt that the climax of the film was "a desperate, showbiz move to dazzle audiences regardless of how much sense it makes."<ref name="variety">{{cite news|last=Koehler|first=Robert|title=3 Walls Review|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117920994.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&p=0|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=26 September 2010|date=10 June 2003}}</ref> Koehler speaks high about Shah's "fascinating portrait of the classic trickster archetype."<ref name="variety" /> His review also highlights Vincent's cinematography to be a distinguishable asset to Kukunoor's fine filmmaking abilities.<ref name="variety" />

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0338490}}

{{Nagesh Kukunoor}}

[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:2003 films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Salim–Sulaiman]]
[[Category:2000s prison films]]
[[Category:2000s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Indian prison films]]
[[Category:Indian crime films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Nagesh Kukunoor]]

3 Deewarein - Revision history

2402:3A80:698:4C94:E9CF:2B5A:DB09:842D at 15:13, 10 June 2021