Long time readers here at the Gorilla’s Lament (all four of you -
hi, Mom!) know that it’s standard practice to give an overview of the
plot of the film in question before I get into general commentary.
That’s not going to happen with tonight’s feature, Hum Aapke Hain Koun.
Not to say that the plot of HAHK is overly complicated, though. Really, the plot couldn’t be simpler; for the first two and a half hours of the film, there’s absolutely no conflict at all. Instead, we watch as Rajesh (Mohnish Bahl) and Puja (Renuka Shahane) marry, have a child, and settle into a happy life together. And we watch their respective siblings Prem (Salman Khan) and Nisha (Madhuri Dixit) fall in love as well. In essence, the film spends two and a half hours showing us the inner workings of a very happy family; reading the above description, it sounds terribly dull, but I’m surprised to report that it’s actually rather compelling. Everyone is very nice and very happy and I couldn’t help but be swept along with their happiness.
Since this is Bollywood, tragedy inevitably strikes, and in the end the real conflict in the film springs from everyone trying to be noble, keep their word, and ensure the happiness of everyone around them. And because we’ve seen (at length) just how nice all these people are, we believe them. The essence of drama is conflict, but there’s an exception to every rule, and HAHK is the exception here.
Madhuri Dixit is charming. Salman Khan - well, Salman Khan plays two parts really well; he can play Earnest, Wistful Guy, or he can play Arrogant creep. He’s Wistful Guy here, and it’s the best performance I’ve seen him give.
The songs are quite catchy, though not as polished as you’d see in a more recent film. They’re certainly plentiful; the DVD lists 15 numbers.
Not to say that the plot of HAHK is overly complicated, though. Really, the plot couldn’t be simpler; for the first two and a half hours of the film, there’s absolutely no conflict at all. Instead, we watch as Rajesh (Mohnish Bahl) and Puja (Renuka Shahane) marry, have a child, and settle into a happy life together. And we watch their respective siblings Prem (Salman Khan) and Nisha (Madhuri Dixit) fall in love as well. In essence, the film spends two and a half hours showing us the inner workings of a very happy family; reading the above description, it sounds terribly dull, but I’m surprised to report that it’s actually rather compelling. Everyone is very nice and very happy and I couldn’t help but be swept along with their happiness.
Since this is Bollywood, tragedy inevitably strikes, and in the end the real conflict in the film springs from everyone trying to be noble, keep their word, and ensure the happiness of everyone around them. And because we’ve seen (at length) just how nice all these people are, we believe them. The essence of drama is conflict, but there’s an exception to every rule, and HAHK is the exception here.
Madhuri Dixit is charming. Salman Khan - well, Salman Khan plays two parts really well; he can play Earnest, Wistful Guy, or he can play Arrogant creep. He’s Wistful Guy here, and it’s the best performance I’ve seen him give.
The songs are quite catchy, though not as polished as you’d see in a more recent film. They’re certainly plentiful; the DVD lists 15 numbers.
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