A typical Rajshree product. Review on Vivaah

Starring

Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao, Anupam Kher, Alok Nath and Seema Biswas

Director

Sooraj Barjatya

Banner

Rajshree Films Pvt Ltd

Release Date

November 10, 2006

When a film-maker of the stature of Sooraj Barjatya makes a film, what do you expect? The ultimate in entertainment.So does VIVAAH,his latest outing, meet the expectations of the viewer, who is waiting with bated breath for the drama to unfold on the big screen?Yes and no!

‘Vivah’ has Shahid playing Prem, an eligible bachelor from Delhi. After repeated pressure from his father (Anupam Kher), an unwilling Prem goes to Madhupur to see a girl for marriage. The girl is Poonam (Amrita Rao).

Prem and Poonam meet. What begins as a formal, awkward conversation between them soon develops into something deeper. As the two spend more time together, love blossoms ...

Prem and Poonam come from very distinct backgrounds. Prem is the son of a wealthy father and has lived his life in a city. Poonam, on the other hand, is an orphan raised by her Chacha (Alok Nath) and Chachi (Seema Biswas).

While Poonam’s chacha has loved her unconditionally, her chachi has always been jealous of her (Poonam’s) beauty and simplicity that makes her more attractive than chachi’s own daughter Rajni (Amrita Prakash).

Prem and Poonam get engaged. Thereafter begins the most magical period in their lives, the period from engagement to marriage. Months fly by and their love becomes stronger. But then, on the day of their wedding a catastrophe strikes.

The story of VIVAAH is a replica of three successful Rajshree flicks – Hum Apke Hain Kaun ,Maine Pyaar Kiya and Hum Saah Saath Hain. The story is not new, but the treatment is. Director Sooraj Barjatya has come up with certain interesting twists and turns that give an altogether fresh look to the story. And the outcome is quite satisfying!

The first half of this family entertainer is run-of-the-mill and lacks thepower to keep the audiences's attention glued to the goings-on especially with rapid flow of songs. If truth were told, the initial reels are cyclical, with the writers offering the same old mundane stuff that has been witnessed time and again in umpteen potboilers.

But the drama takes a turn for the better in the second half [in the marriage sequence] with a major twist. The sequences there after are well executed and it is evident that the director Sooraj Barjatya knows his job well

He has handled a couple of sequences with aplomb. Though the film gives the impression of being a routine love story, it is to the director's credit that he has narrated the story without deviating to the oft-repeated path in the second half.

Every scene in the film have the by-now-famous touch of an accomplished director. All the scenes have been handled with the sensitivity they deserve. The scenes between Shahid-Amrita and their intimate moments are very well captured. The climax is simply touching which takes the graph of the film to another level.

Ravindra Jain's musical score is passable.It lacks a hit score to elevate the proceedings further. Barring the mujhe Haqe track, which has a haunting tune, the remaining numbers are okay.Cinematography is alright.

VIVAAH belongs to Shahid Kapoor who is simply incredible.His expressions, in most difficult sequences and situations, are natural and you can’t help but applaud the sincerity with which he portrays the character of prem.

Amrita Rao is immensely likeable and acts out her portions impressively. Alok Nath ,Anupam and Seema Vishwas lend adequate support.

On the whole, VIVAAH has an engrossing second half and winning performance as its plus points and the fact that it has been sold at a reasonable price, will take the film to safety.

No new release next Friday may also help before the arrival of DHOOM 2 on 24th November.