Saajan Ka Ghar

Juhi Chawla, a talented actress in her own right, is the sole protagonist in this stereotypical and melodramatic fare. This is one of several terrible, thankless roles she got to play around that time - the self-sacrificing, demure, purer-than-the-driven-snow kind of girl. Her father hates her because he lost his wife who died at Juhi's childbirth and genuinely believes she is the sole reason behind every trouble that befell his family. We, the audience, realise right from the beginning what her father fails to understand - that her presence actually brought luck to the family. This motif in the film shows an amusingly distorted and prejudiced mindset through which the film rejects one superstition by invariably reinforcing another.

I know, it's just a film, a fairytale-like story, but it's not just a film actually because it genuinely reflects an incredibly enraging mentality where everything is put on the slim shoulders of our heroine be it good or bad, and it is characteristic of so many films of the time. Interestingly, had it been taken seriously, it could have been a fascinating commentary on, say, the treatment of women in view of superstitious beliefs in conservative societies like the one depicted in the movie. The concept actually reminds one of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's classic Anupama, except it's much more melodramatic, much less credible and smart, and generally not kind to the lead character or the viewers. Better to avoid at any cost.

This is not a movie. It is a cry fest. You can see Juhi Chawla laughing only in this poster, not in the running minutes of the movie. She cries throughout the movie and then mocks us in the poster. The plot is just showing us the sad story of a suffering and sacrificing woman. The only problem here is that this woman keeps finding a reason to suffer and give sacrifices. She does not take a moment to think that she has suffered too much. As an audience we are deriving sadistic pleasure if we are enjoying this movie. I am glad women don't watch such regressive content anymore, Wait!!!!! Ekta Kapoor's serials..... Dhin Ta-Na-Nana blares into my ears with Thisssshhhh Thisssssh soundtrack and a camera zooming in my face to capture my expression.

Well, You must have heard that some animals eat their own children somewhere. This movie reverses the plot. Here children are parent eaters. Anupam Kher is upset because Juhi Chawla ate her own mother while she was being born. "Paida hote hi, apni Maa ko Kha gayi."

He refuses to look at her because she brings bad luck. He remarries and the Atyachari Nari Bindu makes life hell for Juhi. The only respite is her half brother Deepak Tijori but he loses his left hand in an accident after she ties him rakhi on the right hand, that's unbelievably accurate occult science she is capable of. She gets beaten and cries the millionth time in the movie.

Then she gets married to Rishi Kapoor and he is a good guy but he is under parental pressure and he is an army man so he can't stay at home to protect her, he has the nation to protect.

Juhi is again mistreated and she cries.

Later she faces trivial problems that women face, pote ka mooh dikhao, Abhi tak bacha kyun nahi hua, Kahin teri bahu baanjh to nahin ???? . She gets pregnant but her same sasuma who wanted a pota, makes sure that she works without a break and suffers a miscarriage.

Rishi Kapoor now consults the doctor and knows that could be complications if she gets pregnant that she could die in childbirth. He chooses not to disclose this relevant information to his mom. He also adds insult to the injury when he gives in to Juhi's seduction. Juhi's sacrificing nature cannot be matched. She knows that she might die in childbirth but knowingly gets pregnant.. Her sasuma throws her out of the house and she delivers a baby in a barn. Then gives the baby to her sasuma and Rishi Kapoor reaches just in time for her to die in his arms. Juhi suffers and dies with ease because by now she is a pro at crying and suffering.

Moral of the story :All the women out there, Please do not follow her. She is in no way the ideal Naari. Don't be an abla, bajao sabka Tablaa. Crying and suffering is a thing of the past. Watch movies like Thappad for better results.

Overall, it is quite a good movie - good enough to be labelled as a "hit" movie. But the movie is a bit too volatile. It has just about too many twists and turns in its story-line, some of which even seem to be a bit illogical. No doubt, all actors have acted out their part very well, but it also seems that the roles of some of the actors (I won't name them, else this review may become a spoiler) is to only increase the length of the film.