Review

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The act of falling in love in a Hindi film is more often than not a mere ruse to put up a show of exotic locations, designer clothes, flashy cars and opulent homes. Shaad Ali's directorial debut (a remake of Mani Rathnam's Tamil hit, Alai Payuthey) is a love story all right, but it's a film about real people leading real lives. The hero rides a motorcycle. The heroine commutes to medical college in local trains. Their parents live in homes, not palaces.

But Saathiya isn't a rough-hewn, unattractive film. It is as stylish and technically sophisticated as any candyfloss romance. Only, it refrains from playing to the gallery.

From the trade point of view, and knowing the predilections of the masses, that might not be the smartest thing to do. But as a specimen of good old storytelling, Saathiya is a real triumph. Mani Rathnam's screenplay is refreshingly crisp - it is reminiscent of the writer-director's early days as a filmmaker, when gloss and stylistic flourishes hadn't begun to overwhelm content. Gulzar's dialogues, as always, are informed with both veracity and wit.

Sreekar Prasad's editing imparts an unusually clipped rhythm to the narrative, while cinematographer Anil Mehta, despite working within the limits imposed by the constricted scale of the film, comes up with wonderfully chiselled and lively images.

But nothing in Saathiya takes precedence over the story. Aditya Sehgal (Vivek Oberoi), falls in love with Suhani Sharma (Rani Mukherjee). But it's not a typical teenyboppers' love affair - it is fraught as much with youthful ardour as nagging doubt. It begins as an infatuation and then blossoms into full-blown ardour.

Complications arise because of misunderstandings between the two sets of parents and the young lovers are compelled to elope. As marital responsibilities grow, their relationship faces severe strain. It takes a near-tragedy for the couple to rediscover the real core of their love for each other.

Saathiya isn't designed for seekers of cheap thrills. It's a gentle study of love and marital blues in urban India, with all its pressures and shocks. It does occasionally tend to sink into mush, especially in the climactic hospital scene, but for the most part, the film is marked by spontaneity.

Both Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukherjee are brilliant, etching out believable, well-rounded characters. Saathiya also benefits immensely from a clued-in support cast. Especially noteworthy is Tanuja, who plays mum without the predictable trappings, and Sandhya Mridul, as the heroine's helpful elder sister. Also watch out for a delectably restrained Shahrukh Khan in a surprise appearance.