Metalight Productions is currently producing three films. Not strange for a currently growing production unit, is it. But their films are far from the ordinaries. There are no regular stories here. Aside from Dil Vil Pyar Vyar a memoir to R.D. Burman, they are in postproduction stages with critically acclaimed Madhur Bhandarkar’s Satta, which features the hot and happening Raveena Tandon. “3 Deewarein”, is their film, which is directed by Nagesh Kukunoor who is known for his unique subjects. The film is an intense look at three men’s life in jail, thus “three walls”. The film also stars Kukunoor himself, who had previously filmed Hyderabad Blues and Bollywood Calling. Juhi Chawla plays the only female heroine in the film in a very different role and for the second time, Jackie Shroff will playing a character titled under his nickname “Jaggu”. The first being his upcoming release Sandhya.

3 Deewarein has been filmed on a moderate budget bringing to scale the context of the film. Seventy-five per cent was shot in a real prison in Hyderabad in the jail cell itself and on a dark gloomy sheen. The film has music by Salim-Sulemain.

Unfolding The Truth

3 Deewarein is in essence a tale of unfolding the truth. However it is up to the audience to do this as the main protagonists try to. There were three murders, three convicts, one woman, Chandrika (Juhi Chawla) and there is only one truth. The three convicts are: Jaggu (Jackie Shroff), Ishaan (Naseerudin Shah) and Nagya (Nagesh Kukunoor). As they are imprisoned they follow these words that they decide they must live by in jail. “Enslaved by three walls the fourth barrier in my will, break it I must leaving behind a hollowness. Sighs and sees begging to be free, but free I am free is my mind.”

Jaggu is a lawyer Jaggu who writes poetry in his spare time. His imprisonment is the most audacious as the reasoning behind his conviction remains amidst to many.

Ishaan is the strong-minded mate who believes that he can get through anything, including the three walls.

Nagya is the more naïve individual who can’t get over the fact that he has been falsely convicted.

As the three become friendly in their prison they realize that they must do something to attain their freedom. Sometimes they think death, others they think murder. However they soon come to realize what prison really as thanks to Mohan (Gulshan Grover). Mohan treats prison mates, as they are people not demons. As they are treated with his good affections they are motivated even more to set themselves free. But only one woman, it seems, can help them: Chandrika.

Chandrika is a filmmaker who chooses to make film on the three men. However, her reasoning for making the film is much more than that of simply wanting to make a film on them. She knows more about these men and their situation than she lets on. She is able to make the film, and undoubtedly she begins to develop a relationship with the three men. Slowly a picture clearly develops on the film she is making and the situation these three men are in. Then begins the thriller as to the turnabouts in these relationships that begin surrounded in these three walls.