Review : Saathiya

Saathiya is a well-detailed, beautifully screen-played film, where the director has pretty much crossed all the T’s and dotted all the i’s. He has had help however, since this is a remake of a Tamil film, originially directed by Mani Rathnam, and where Shaad Ali assisted. The romance and ensuing drama (what – no drama in a Hindi romantic flick ??) are realistically done with the help of a good cast, nice-sounding music, and deft direction.The film starts off with hero Aditya Sehgal (Oberoi) waiting at the station to pick up his wife Suhaani Sharma (Rani). Only she doesn’t show up. So we flashback to the time Aditya and Suhaani originally meet, fall in love, and face familial opposition (classwise difference, he rich, she poor). Suhaani is a doctor-in-training while Aditya is working on his own software business. They eventually elope and marry, thereby alienating both families. Residence is taken up in a semi-built-up apartment with nosy landlords to boot. All is well and good, unti life happens and the love starts to sour. To the point where Suhaani thinks about leaving…

The film develops along a believable story-line with normal, everyday characters, give and take a few extraordinary traits. And that for a Hindi film, is a plus-point by itself. It takes a close look at marriage and the bonding (and un-bonding) of the pair, way beyond the first flush of young love. What is so fresh about this movie, is its ability to delicately handle romance, and all its associated highs, without resorting to over-the-top sentimentatlity, and exaggerated emotions. Situations seem realistic, dialogues remain down-to-earth, and its an almost real tale of boy-meets-girl. The “happily ever after” part is sorta up in the air.

Vivek Oberoi does his part well, lending charm and ehuberance to his character. Rani is as always very good. Tanuja as Suhaani’s mom and Swaroop Sampat as Aditya’s come across convincingly, and so do the dads (Shah and Saxena). Sandhya Mridul has a small but effective role as Suhaani’s supportive sister Dina. Music byRehman is good; and the lyrics have been well-adapted to a Hindi version, of the Tamil original. To put it succinctly: a must-watch.