A doze of reality. Review on Saathiya

Saathiya refuses to be just another movie. It refuses not to make an impact. It refuses to be insensate.

Saathiya proves an important point - Indian cinema is not full of dimwitted wiseacres who care just about the cash registers clicking, it consists of people who believe in realism and who believe that the reel can portray the real.

If I had to summarize Saathiya in one word, it would surely be - 'realistic'. Saathiya is anything but fiction. It is surprising how a simple, down-to-earth movie like Saathiya can make such a significant point.

The Plot:

So what is the movie all about? I am not going to spoil the fun by narrating the entire story - I am just going to highlight the main framework of the film.

Saathiya is about love - in its purest, simplest, selfless form. It is about the complexities that come with this four-letter word. It is about trust and belief, about fear and promises - in all, it is a movie everyone in love should see. It is so real - it surprises you how a movie can be so true to life.

The story is simple and straight-forward. No twists in the tales. No dramatism. No heavy-makeup and useless shedding of clothes. The story deals with normal people in normal situations. It portrays how people can be right and wrong at the same time. The most simple things in life are the most complex - thats the best way to summarize the movie.

The Characters

I had become a Vivek Oberoi fan ever since I saw 'Company'. I thought he was the most sensible actor around. He knows how to perform - and how to perform well. When I saw 'Road', my beliefs were just confirmed. When I saw 'Saathiya' - I realized I could never be more right. Vivek holds within him the charisma that drives the entire movie. His pleading eyes and playful smiles don't need words to support them. He rules the screen in Saathiya - surprisingly Shahrukh's acting doesn't stand anywhere with Vivek. When they both stand across each other - you realize, Vivek's a much better actor. Shahrukh's acting is however, monotonous.

Rani Mukherjee has really proved herself as an excellent actress. In bare minimum makeup and simplest of clothing - she looks beautiful. Simplicity graces her beautifully. She proves the point that you don't have to shed it all or hide your wheatish complexion to be that good. Rani and Vivek look amazing together - despite having the ten-inch height difference between them. You can almost swear they're in love with their convincing performances. Thumbs up to Rani whose proved herself from the days of KKHH where she did a good job as a 'hot chick' to the days of Saathiya where she's made it clear that she's willing to be 'realistic'.

The story doesn't make the characters live in palacial houses or use Mercedes for transportation. We have normal middle-class people living in small houses and using local trains. No matter how rich or poor, big or small - love unites two people and enriches their very souls, hence proved.

The dialogues are simple and again 'real'. Its the way people talk. You don't have 'Oh Puh-leeze' or 'Gimme a Break' - you have 'Shut Up' - with no vague weird styles.

You have real aspirations, real feelings, real situations and real beliefs. No artificiality envelopes the true spirit of the movie.

You don't have the hero and heroine dancing in the rain - you have them dancing under a modest bathroom shower (with clothes on). You don't have them eating tinned fruit - you have them cooking food. You have everything so clear-cut and modest that it makes you actually ponder over what you saw.

The Music

A.R. Rehman does a great job catching the essence of the movie. Prior to the movie the title song held a special place in my heart. However, now my loyalties are shifted to - 'Mera yaar mila de saaiya'. The song really makes your heart weep for Vivek (For all you fans - he's really looking very adorable).

The songs come with the most perfect timing. No unnecessary songs anywhere. Simple and heartwarming - best sums them up.

Concluding Remarks

Married couples can perhaps best relate with the movie - it holds the complexities one faces at some point or the other.

Ladies - please carry a handkerchief.

Men - please try to be serious.

Teenagers - please realize love does exist.

Babies and Kids - stay out, you'd just make a mess being in there.

So as I finish up, I will recommend all those who have loved or are lucky enough to still do, to go see the movie without a second thought.

As you exit the theatre you'd be left pondering over the doze of realism - and you'd fall in love all over again.

P.S. If you read my review and decide to go to Saathiya, do let me know how was it - I, in the meanwhile, will be hoping it did for you, what it did for me.