Genre : Drama
Year : 2001
Director : Mahesh Manjrekar
Cast : Ajay Devgan, Sonali Bendre, Namrata Shirodkar, Shivaji Satam, Dushyant
TERA MERA SAATH RAHE : Edible fare !
There are very few Indian films that deal with disability. TMSR is one the few I’ve seen, which has a modicum of common sense. The storyline wavers a bit, because our hero can’t make up his mind, but otherwise it’s quite OK.
Raj (Devgan) is a hard-working guy, who works outside the home in the daytime, but comes home at night to care for his disabled brother Rahul (Dushyant). In the day-time a kindly servant looks after Rahul. Raj’s next door neighbor is the obviously-in-love-with-Raj Suman (Shirodkar). But Raj is indifferent to her as a love interest, since he’s devoted to his brother. His priorities waver though when he meets lovely Madhuri (Bendre) who is keen on a committed relationship. Madhuri although kind-hearted cannot envisage a life with Raj AND Rahul; she wants Raj to put Rahul in an assisted living facility.
Raj is miserable and torn between Rahul and Madhuri, both of whom he wants. And when Raj does make the heart-wringing decision will he be able to live in peace ? . . .
The film drags in truck-loads of sentimental drama (this being a desi film), but in all fairness does a decent job of portraying Raj’s love for his brother, and Rahul’s obvious dependence on him. Family comes first, of course, but what then happens to one’s personal life ? Is a care-giver not entitled to a life ? These are difficult questions to find answers to, and the film although depicting Raj’s quandary, does not go into much depth, into what happens after. The films ends at a somewhat un-easy balance, where Raj sticks to his guns (amid copious tears and soul-searching) and apparently Madhuri must “adjust”. I did feel sorrowful at the brothers’ plight, but somewhere along the way we get so pompous at sacrificing oneself for family, that practical matters like love and life get swept under the carpet.
Even so, a worth-your-while film.
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