Just saw this film friday night, I found it to be a dissapointment. It was a well produced and directed film, but, but the first half of the film lacked one important element - a STORY. For all the hype Rajshri has put behind this film, they seemed to have forgotten to spend any time on creating a story that wouldn’t put the audience to sleep.
To make matters worse, during the first half of the film, Sooraj Bartaya, was pretty much re-hashing Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, with Saif Ali taking over Salman’s role. Despite, the lack of a story, and re-hashing his own film, the film would have been a lot more bearable, if Sooraj B. had not made all of the characters so damn NICE! It was like watching the Indian version of the Cosby’s - not only is this family to good/nice/loving to be true, but during the first half there is not even any conflict, or anything to really make you interested in the film, or the characters.
The second half of the film was pretty good (there was actually some conflict), and aside from the ususal tidy filmi ending it was probably representative of the type of family conflicts that are commen in East Indian patriarchial societies.
As far as the performences went, Salman probably gave his best performence in a LONG time. I think he is a lot more tolerable in films where he isn’t required to talk much, and it probably helped that Saif Ali took over Salman’s usual role. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Salman’s only good performences have been in Rajshri films. In this film, his performence was much more reserved and understated, (ordinarily in emotional charged scenes, he pretty much resorts to ranting and raving ie. Saajan- a page from the Sunny Deol school of acting - where yelling is used to represent emotion). This is a credit to Sooraj Bartaya, who really knows how to use his cast within their limiations. Final note in regard to Salman - amazingly enough he only took off his shirt once in the film.
Mohnish Behl was also very good. He too, seems to be at his best in Rajshri films (can’t remember him as a good guy in anything other than HAHK).
Sonali, looks like she has her second hit in a row after Sarfarosh. As part of an esemble cast, she did not have a major role, but she looks like she is going to have a good year, being in two hit films in a row (this is a certain hit despite all it’s shortcomings), and is aslo in “DAHEK” (good soundrack), being released later this year.
I really didn’t care for the songs in the film - most of them were of the “I love my bhabi/bhai/ma/bap/behn/chacha/chaci…(I’m sure you get the point)”, and they just became annoying after a while. It just seemed to be to much of recycing from HAHK, but much more artificial.
Overall, it was an OK film - the second half was redeeming, but with all the hype over the film, I expected a lot more, and if Rajshri spent as much time coming up with a story, as they spent marketing this film, this could have been a real good film.
Despite, not being nearly the film, HAHK was, the film will probably be a hit. Even with a redeeming second half,this film can’t be compared with “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” & “Sarfarosh” which were head & shoulders above this film.
[This message has been edited by KhurramS (edited November 08, 1999).]