While books being made into movies is a common practice, adapting a classic movie into a comic seemed like a unique, fun and ‘hatke’ idea. Being a content powerhouse, having a treasure trove of Bollywood blockbuster and cult movies Shemaroo entertainment launched a series of Comic books with their Iconic dialogues and colorful illustrations.
One of them is this 2010 film Ishqiya
Ishqiya - Comic Page 09 (2020)Shemaroo
The Comic format is a way to engage with Bollywood fans, and give something that will not just entertain them, but something can be used to reminisce a movie, and cherish as a collectible.
Directed by Abhishek Chaubey, the plot revolves around two men Naseeruddin Shah (Khalujaan) and Arshad Warsi (Babban) who are on the run to save their lives and reach Gorakhpur which they think is a safe place. But little did they know about the troubles waiting for them.
A film that has both humor and dark comedy to it. The comic book is based on this Genre of the film. Not just the dialogues selected but also its color theme.
Color tone of the pages; An integral part of the process. 'Ishqiya' has a darker tone of shading to it, as seen here because of the dark genre attached to the film.
Ishqiya - Comic Page 10 (2020)Shemaroo
Late at night asking around for Vidhyahar Verma's residence, they meet an old lady who leads them to their address. She takes them to Krishna's house where both Khalujaan and his nephew Babban give their introduction and asking Vidhyahar.
Shortly after which they learn that he is never coming back. Krishna accommodates them in her house.
A story about love and revenge, where two goons fall in love with Krishna, their friend's widow and seek shelter at her house.
Ishqiya - Comic Page 52 (2020)Shemaroo
But little do they know about the danger of the situation that they have gotten themselves into. Both the movie and the comic perfectly engages the audience in the emotional ride and the twists and turns that come into their lives in an unexpected manner.
Ishqiya - Comic Page 46 (2020)Shemaroo
On being asked that why was Khalujaan so quiet by Babban, Krishna replies instead saying that the truth is always bitter.
Babban then reveals it all to Iftikhar, that he should get them both married, soon after which they get out of the car and start fighting and abuse each other's past while at it.
Ishqiya - Comic Page 47 (2020)Shemaroo
Both Iftikhar and Babban were so busy fighting, that they did not realize Krishna taking the car and driving away with Kamalkant, who was lying unconscious in the car.
Back at Krishna's house, when Kamalkant regains his consciousness, she questions him with a gunpoint on his head about his husband. To which Kamalkant gives a shocking answer, that he is dead and she herself immersed his ashes.
Ishqiya - Comic Page 48 (2020)Shemaroo
Krishna, while locking Kakkar up and covering up the same place she overhears someone call out her name.
She is stunned to see Babban and Khalujaan back at her house.
Krishna gives their money back and asks them to disappear as soon as possible. Ignoring all that she said, Babban inquiries about Kakkar.
Ishqiya - Comic Page 50 (2020)Shemaroo
Both Babban and Khalujaan accuse Krishna for stealing their money, with a gun pointed towards Babban, and explaining that she could have easily eloped with the money without ever being caught.
She again urges them to leave as soon as they can. While asking for another bag to put the money in and getting up to do the same, Babban swiftly makes a move and snatches away the gun and pointing it toward Krishna and again asking her the same question about Kakkar.
Ishqiya - Comic Page 52 (2020)Shemaroo
Now that they have found Kakkad, he starts revealing the truth to Babban and Khalujaan, where he says that Verma tried to extort money from him too.
A cloud of confusion created when Kakkad was questioned about the business of smuggling arms from Nepal. Kakkad then calls his wife, to get the money from the weird places in the house where he had hidden it, the microwave, the fridge, etc.
A movie that kept us on the edge of our chairs from the very beginning till the end with its dramatic plot shifts and actions, Ishiqiya where in two partners in crime get played by their friends widow for her selfish motives.
