If there is one book that makes me relive it, every time I even think about it, that would be “Devotion of Suspect X” by Keigo Higashino. The book has been made into several movies, some direct adaptations, some are pirated/inspired versions. But each of those versions have set their own mark on box office with “Drishyam” series (Papanasam in tamil) being the case for India. That the director of those series never officially acknowledged the movie to be an adaptation of the book, might’ve probably led to the direct adaptation to be made so soon and launched in India with Drishyam 2 (Hindi) being a more recent launch which was based on the premise of aftermath of the first part.
Jaane Jaan, as mentioned in the title card itself, is a very close adaptation of the book, right from its setting to its characterization. The director has chosen Eastern part of India as the setting, with majority of cast member being of Mongoloid features. The primary character being a martial arts specialist, again a doff to the book, with his love for maths and how passionate he is about his subject. Heroine works in a canteen, having been a bar dancer in her previous life. The police officer who is quite brainy and a friend of the primary character is again majorly based on how it is framed on the book.
While the movie remains true to most of the scenes and structure of the book, the ending was a major disappointment for it is the claim to the blockbuster success of the book and is almost its essence. While the love of the maths teacher for the leading lady comes out decently, the sacrifice portion was a huge let down. Another hole in plot being how the original body got disposed or did i miss it? The lack of acknowledgement by the leading lady and the hurried ending also spoils an otherwise great adaptation. The ending is what makes the book so dear to so many readers where the stunning revelation is made on how the teacher sacrifices himself to save the lady from police. That the story being a murder mystery further adds to its enigma where the twist in the ending makes it one of the most romantic books ever. Such is the impact of the climax that every time one remembers the book, the way in which the maths teacher cries in the end comes to mind and it is such a powerful scene that as the story winds up, it leaves a heaviness in the hearts of the readers. All this for a murder mystery where the perpetrators are caught in the end. It is one of the most beautiful murder mystery I’ve ever read and couldn’t be more aptly titled as “Devotion” of suspect X. And that is probably why Jaane Jaan wouldn’t carry the same impact as the movie, despite trying its best to closely resemble every aspect of it.
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