Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999)

Too much of everything

Strong and Moving!

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

First time sitting through this film, it was switched off after approx 10 minutes.Now 10 years later, it was switched off after 1 hour.The main problem is that the film centres around a family whose antics make the Waltons appear like the family from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Also everyone in the film including the Hatis and Ooots have a big grinning Yorkshire cat smile that never changes.The songs are lame including the 'abc' song. A double disc CD was produced for this!Overall - Switch it off

Rajshri continued to produced wonderful and memorable flicks like Tapasya (1976 Dir. Anil Ganguly), Chit Chor (1976 Dir. Basu Chatterjee), Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978 Dir. Hiren Nag), Sunayana (1979 Dir. Hiren Nag), Humkadam(1980 Dir. Anil Ganguly), Naiyya (1980 Dir. Prashant Nanda), Saaransh(1984 Dir. Mahesh Bhatt) & Abodh (1984 Dir. Hiren Nag).Most of these films presently now have more weaknesses then strengths. But at the time of their release, and when I viewed them during the 1980's, these films were very different in style and tone from the rest of conventional Hindi cinema. It is these films that help inspire forthcoming filmmakers, and innovate the bland Hindi cinema which is predictable and not satisfying.While most of their production remains quite unknown to many audiences, since their films was mostly consistent of new cast and production crew (making them really experimental at times), their last three production has become the most popular films ever in the history of Indian cinema. The films Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994) & Hum Saath - Saath Hain (1999) had broken box-office records around the world. All three movies was directed by Rajshri in-house director Sooraj B. Barjatya.The films each have a social message which looks at each stage of life....youth/love, love/marriage & family values. While I loved his first two movies, his present one was very disappointing as it falls behind by being too overly melodramatic, which at times become rather ambiguous to the whole setting and nature of the film.The first half hour feels like a theater production when all the characters enter the stage with their own mannerisms and characteristics. While this part has been handled well, I fail to understand why the need for so many characters. I was totally lost when all the secondary characters just entered the house (without a doorbell?) and made themselves feel too much at home. This creates an unease in the overall flow of the film. Maybe its just me, but I do feel that too much escapism was wrong at the start as it becomes too demanding on our part to make believe.Rather then break Hindi film conventions, which all Rajshri films have done in nearly all of their releases, Hum Saath - Saath Hain continues the trend set by Hum Aapke Hain Koun of an upper class family having functions, outings, businesses, and a big house. This in my view has been looked upon once too often, and seems rather tiring and predictable. This contrasted with what the director did for his first directorial debut Maine Pyar Kiya which, in 1989, resorted Hindi cinema back to the romantic genre for the 1990's. This helped the romantic genre become a profitable and popular format after one decade of violence and patriotism films.Planning of shots, art direction and performances are well executed. This shows how the director is very structured in what he wants to be visually shown on screen. But while the visuals are pleasing the overall plot, which is reminiscent of a modern day Ramayan, seems to be rather outdated. It is nice to see togetherness in a family but his concept was way over premising. It kept most of Ramayan philosophy into the plot rather then to fuse/innovate it with modern day influx of westernization which has taken over India with the advent of satellite television and of commercialism of products. Thus the film is not as up to date with today's audience.Another weakness detected in the film is the poor song score, which is also not in touch with audiences expectations. While the lyrics are very touching and heart warming (especially in the song 'Yeh To Such Hain' which is a dedication to parents), the music doesn't merit the soundtrack to be listened to on its own. Its decent enough while viewing the film, as both are suited as it twins well. However it lacks the soulful melodies heard in present films like Taal (1999). I presume due to the death of one of the music director it has impacted on the working technique once presented in the duo Raam - Lakshman. The background score is however very appropriate as it helps to interact with what the characters feel on screen.Where there is a negative lies a positive and this film has many. Like I mentioned before all the pr-production work done really shows the creativity the director has for his characters. There are many characters in this film, and for the director to ensure what will each be made of mentally and physically shows very well on screen. He personifies them through their personality, para-language, body language and even hobbies. The excellent art direction by Bijon Das Gupta captured by the wide cinema scope frame of Rajan Kinagi shows all of this creation quite well, and adds marvel viewing.Also the performance from all the cast, despite the weak plot, is very well handed due to the detail structure of the surround planning by the director. Karisma Kapoor, Aloknath, Tabu, Neelam and Saif Ali Khan displays wonderful moments of character acting, that surpasses most blockbuster stars currently in Indian cinema. Also Salman Khan performance is quite impressive despite having less screen time then most of the major characters. Here his shy charter is played to a tee and certainly contrast with his loud and crass characters in his past films like Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kiya (1998) and Hello Brother (1999).Despite being harshly criticize by many film critics, and by some audiences, the film became the highest grossing Indian film of the year 1999. The film might be a favorite with family audiences, but for individuals who crave for something new won't find this film satisfying.

Even though I am Indo-Caribbean and do like watching films just to connect with motherland,I do feel that we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.We will make films like K3G and Lagaan bigger hits overseas than good films like Chandni Bar.I waited two years to get this because I wasn't interested and because it grossed $2 million in USA and films that gross over $300,000 get pirated the fastest.Mr Sooraj sure knows how to make the perfect formula.Put six attractive stars (and hide one) all over on trailors and posters and cd's and then only have Karishma Kapoor and Neelam (the hidden one) steal the show from the females Tabu and Sonali Bendre,which is disappointing because all four are talented,but Tabu only gets 12 lines and Sonali,probably 15.Then for our males...Salman Khan's name is first and he only gets 10 lines where Saif Ali Khan and Mohnish Behl steal the spotlight anyways.Even the supporting artiste get more lines and even the children get more scope,all Salman,Tabu and Sonali get to do is stand in the background and blush.Well, only two good tracks are 'Mere Hiwda Mein' and 'Maiya Yashoda'.It has a really good repeat value because I have seen it three times and if you like it,then you must not like films with high meaning like Lajja,Chandni Bar,Dil Se or Astivta,and Tabu won best actress awards for Chandni Bar and Astivta.Glad she was the first actress to do crossover into art films because she is not going to waste herself any longer in silly commercial masala!6/10

This film was very good. The fact that a lot people didn't like it was becuase it was too much compared to recent super hits such as Kuch kuch Hota Hai. This is a one of a kind as is every other film. the songs were superb, especially "Mhare Hiwda Mein" Sooraj Barjatay once again has made us proud. Well done.