Maine Pyar Kiya

A typical Hindi film - but oh, the beauty and the warmth of the love story... it's the reason I fell in love with films. Not to forget the fact that it gave Hindi cinema one of its biggest stars - Salman Khan. His casting couldn't have been more perfect. Those big, wounded eyes packed a punch. There wasn't a member of the female species unaffected - old and young, mums and daughters, teenagers and grandmas. And the reason he was so effective - a near perfect film with appealing characters, almost unbearably tender romance, and a dash of healthy drama. Play it again, Sam!

I have seen this movie 34 times.

I remember each and every scene, and all the music. I just love the romance and passion shown in this movie. The innocence, the love, dedication feelings displayed were absolutely good. It was a mega hit and had influenced the youth of that time. The songs were beautiful, meaningful and lyrics had the meanings. Everybody acted well in this movie. the movie also was clean and could have seen with family. I can see the movie several times without getting bored. I cant imagine if it has to be remade who can be the cast. It's like Sholay, you can not have it again. Some people may call it as a goody, goody movie, but I love to see it again and again.

"Tarana" (1979) was perhaps the last movie from the Rajshri banner which delivered a super-hit and then followed spate of flops. A decade later 1989, Sooraj Barjatya stealthily pulled a miraculous feat. The end result was "Maine Pyar Kiya". He ensured the product was high on family values which Rajshri banner is best known for. In all honesty ad-mist all the contaminated films that were around "Maine Pyar Kiya" was a whiff of fresh air. Loaded with ten songs it was Bollywood musical at its best. With the unadulterated & pristine love-story Sooraj ensured the young generation walked over the clouds. Every teenager was practically mouthing the lines from "Maine Pyar Kiya" (predominantly "No sorry, no thanks" and "I love you so much that it hurts" Ouch!!). Nearly forgot, the nation had suddenly taken penchant for the pigeons as Mr. Barjatya in the performance review did a job enlargement (read that makeover of a postman).

Bhagyashree became a national persona of "girl next door". Just like Dimple Kapadia she bid adieu to the stardom to live happily ever-after. How I wish all the fairy-tales would turn true.

Salman Khan became every teenager's poster boy. The nation suddenly looked up to this guy's well tones muscles who gave a new meaning for a must-have qualities of an actor.

Alok Nath, Reema Lagoo & Rajeev Varma were adequate.

Lakshmikant Berde was a new comedian on the block. Sadly he couldn't catapult to the same success levels in subsequent outings.

Raam-Laxman, a Rajshri regular suddenly was the most sought-after musician and needless to say, he made hay while the sun shines. Lata as usual was her melodious best. S P Bala was once again noticed after "Ek Duje Ke Liye" and became Salman Khan's regular playback for a while.

Sooraj Barjatya poured his heart and soul into "Maine Pyar Kiya" and it showed. Sadly his subsequent ventures could not match up to the pinnacle of "Maine Pyar Kiya".

This movie got my attention because unlike the normal "boy meets girl, can't marry girl" scheme, there was history to the story in the movie. The characters were all well drawn out from the parents to the "bad guys." The "sweet" character of "Suman" was shown to have a different side of her when she become a seductress on the rooftop as she celebrates her birthday with "Prem." The viewer gets to see that side of her which is passionate and perhaps not so innocent...the side the parents do not. The songs are all entertaining, and in the end, we finally see that good guys...and good girls for that matter...do not always finish last! ;-) This is a great movie for those who believe in true love!

Maine Pyar Kiya came out at the time when multistarrers were the safest bet at the box office. Maine Pyar Kiya the highest grossing movies of 1989 and considering it had to contend with Yash Chopra's Chandni that is very good indeed. Salman Khan and Bhagyashree made their debut along with debutant director Sooray Barjatya. Bhagyashree went on to get married whilst Salman Khan went on to star in Sooraj Barjatya's Hum Aapke hain koun and Hum Saath Saath Hain. Most people may claim HAHK was Mr Barjatya's best movie but I find it ridiculously overrated, MPK was Mr Barjatya's finest hour. The story is as old as the hills but the way it is told is very sweet and you really feel for the lovers. The thing I love so much about MPK is the songs, each one is a masterpiece. Usually when I listen to a movie soundtrack I normally listen to a couple of songs and skip the rest but not the case with MPK, I can listen to the songs over and over again and never get bored. My favourites are Mere Rang ne or Kabootar Ja Ja. In fact I would go as far as calling MPK the best soundtrack of the 80's. MPK is one of those love stories I can watch over and over again and love it even more. A true 80's masterpiece.