Hum Saath-Saath Hain

I am born in 2002, still this is my fav movie No new age Bollywood movie of this genre can meet the excellence of this Movie

I like this film because it was a true family drama, and a dying genre, even in Hindi movies. The family relationships are well portrayed and often very touching even though they can run to the "too sugar sweet" area sometimes. But this is a very miner concern, because the bulk of the film has a great vibe and a great flow. The story advances with all the songs, instead of detracting from it.

I think what a lot of people have forgotten to focus on is the social message conveyed in this movie. This movie explores the dangers of letting people poison your mind, and how family relationships can be badly effected by one person's wrong decision. The Mother in the story is made to feel insecure after the incident where the daughter's brother in law steals the family business from under them. This incident propels her to look at her own family in a different light, and to heed the machinations of 3 very frivolous women, and a man who wants to see his daughter lead the good life at all costs. The fact that they show us how well the family gets on before this incident shows us that regardless of how well you get on, such things can still happen to tear you apart. But the touching thing about this story is how the brother's and sister's rally together to protect each other, and how the firm love and respect between them swings things back into place. I loved this film. ALL the actor's contributed to the film. The characters they play are different, thus adding to the story in their own ways. I also disagree with another comment on this page that if you like this film you would not like films like "Astitva" and "Chandani Bar". I beg to differ. I liked those films very much. You don't have to be stuck in one genre, and it's better to be able to appreciate many genre's insteas of just one.

i have seen movie and bought video casette. we enjoyed the movie and felt this is a MUST see for every good family who believe in traditional values. It reminds of Ramayana. With modern values. It gives clear message about how to deal with family problems and how to control ego and how to develop let-go feelings within family members. We have preserved video just in case any dispute arise between family members, we will see the movie and get back normal unity. hats off for such a daring movie. it may be commercial failure. but these clean movies are welcome.

Rajshri continued to produced wonderful and memorable flicks like Tapasya (1976 Dir. Anil Ganguly), Chit Chor (1976 Dir. Basu Chatterjee), Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978 Dir. Hiren Nag), Sunayana (1979 Dir. Hiren Nag), Humkadam(1980 Dir. Anil Ganguly), Naiyya (1980 Dir. Prashant Nanda), Saaransh(1984 Dir. Mahesh Bhatt) & Abodh (1984 Dir. Hiren Nag).

Most of these films presently now have more weaknesses then strengths. But at the time of their release, and when I viewed them during the 1980's, these films were very different in style and tone from the rest of conventional Hindi cinema. It is these films that help inspire forthcoming filmmakers, and innovate the bland Hindi cinema which is predictable and not satisfying.

While most of their production remains quite unknown to many audiences, since their films was mostly consistent of new cast and production crew (making them really experimental at times), their last three production has become the most popular films ever in the history of Indian cinema. The films Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994) & Hum Saath - Saath Hain (1999) had broken box-office records around the world. All three movies was directed by Rajshri in-house director Sooraj B. Barjatya.

The films each have a social message which looks at each stage of life....youth/love, love/marriage & family values. While I loved his first two movies, his present one was very disappointing as it falls behind by being too overly melodramatic, which at times become rather ambiguous to the whole setting and nature of the film.

The first half hour feels like a theater production when all the characters enter the stage with their own mannerisms and characteristics. While this part has been handled well, I fail to understand why the need for so many characters. I was totally lost when all the secondary characters just entered the house (without a doorbell?) and made themselves feel too much at home. This creates an unease in the overall flow of the film. Maybe its just me, but I do feel that too much escapism was wrong at the start as it becomes too demanding on our part to make believe.

Rather then break Hindi film conventions, which all Rajshri films have done in nearly all of their releases, Hum Saath - Saath Hain continues the trend set by Hum Aapke Hain Koun of an upper class family having functions, outings, businesses, and a big house. This in my view has been looked upon once too often, and seems rather tiring and predictable. This contrasted with what the director did for his first directorial debut Maine Pyar Kiya which, in 1989, resorted Hindi cinema back to the romantic genre for the 1990's. This helped the romantic genre become a profitable and popular format after one decade of violence and patriotism films.

Planning of shots, art direction and performances are well executed. This shows how the director is very structured in what he wants to be visually shown on screen. But while the visuals are pleasing the overall plot, which is reminiscent of a modern day Ramayan, seems to be rather outdated. It is nice to see togetherness in a family but his concept was way over premising. It kept most of Ramayan philosophy into the plot rather then to fuse/innovate it with modern day influx of westernization which has taken over India with the advent of satellite television and of commercialism of products. Thus the film is not as up to date with today's audience.

Another weakness detected in the film is the poor song score, which is also not in touch with audiences expectations. While the lyrics are very touching and heart warming (especially in the song 'Yeh To Such Hain' which is a dedication to parents), the music doesn't merit the soundtrack to be listened to on its own. Its decent enough while viewing the film, as both are suited as it twins well. However it lacks the soulful melodies heard in present films like Taal (1999). I presume due to the death of one of the music director it has impacted on the working technique once presented in the duo Raam - Lakshman. The background score is however very appropriate as it helps to interact with what the characters feel on screen.

Where there is a negative lies a positive and this film has many. Like I mentioned before all the pr-production work done really shows the creativity the director has for his characters. There are many characters in this film, and for the director to ensure what will each be made of mentally and physically shows very well on screen. He personifies them through their personality, para-language, body language and even hobbies. The excellent art direction by Bijon Das Gupta captured by the wide cinema scope frame of Rajan Kinagi shows all of this creation quite well, and adds marvel viewing.

Also the performance from all the cast, despite the weak plot, is very well handed due to the detail structure of the surround planning by the director. Karisma Kapoor, Aloknath, Tabu, Neelam and Saif Ali Khan displays wonderful moments of character acting, that surpasses most blockbuster stars currently in Indian cinema. Also Salman Khan performance is quite impressive despite having less screen time then most of the major characters. Here his shy charter is played to a tee and certainly contrast with his loud and crass characters in his past films like Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kiya (1998) and Hello Brother (1999).

Despite being harshly criticize by many film critics, and by some audiences, the film became the highest grossing Indian film of the year 1999. The film might be a favorite with family audiences, but for individuals who crave for something new won't find this film satisfying.

Sooraj Barjatya's Hum Saath Saath Hain is his follow-up to the immensely successful Hum Aapke Hain Kaun. Barjatya has pretty much all the same ingredients here as well. The ensemble cast are all perfectly selected for their roles and have done a good job. Most outstanding of all in the film would be Mohnish Behl. Barjatya has once again written a very meticulous script with great timing by all the artists in bringing out Barjatya's vision from the paper to the screen. The one area where HSSH lacks in is the music. Though not a bad score by any means, it needed a bit more melody and pleasantness to enhance the moods of the film better. Also, the energy that HAHK had somehow seems to be missing. But to be fair to the film, Barjatya has once again presented a very sincere and heartfelt effort. Job well done. 8/10.