Yaadain: A Film Review



Yaadain: A Film Review
- by Minhaj Arifin

Raj (Jackie Shroff), is a doting father and a loving husband who goes shopping with his wife in London. Unfortunately his wife Nalini, is struck by a speeding van. But this is an Indian accident, where all the medical care you are going to get is a headband type of bandage with a red blob in the middle. It's like wearing a Japanese flag. The flag fails to prevent death and Nalini crosses over to the other side.

Through out the film Raj exhibits serious signs of mental trauma as he continues to consult a large painting of his deceased wife. The best acting done in this film was by the painting. It is also the main character. Though the painting had no lines in the film, it's ability to become sad at times of need or happy in times of joy was remarkable. Some times the film entered a horror sequence when, Raj screams at the painting and says: "Mujhe batau mai kya karoon?" I waited in suspense as the camera closed in on the painting, but it never talked. It is by such clever parenting that Jackie is able to raise three lovely daughters in London.

Raj is family friends with the Malhothras: guys that are so rich they have a waterfall in the TV lounge, and blonde Europeans visiting them every day. "Welcome Mr. John" says Mr. Malhothra, and stays in a welcoming mood through out the film. In every scene he is welcoming a blonde European to his palatial home in London, which resembles Buckingham palace. "Welcome Mr. Peter. Welcome Mr. Henry" says a suited Mr. Malhothra and continues to do so all day long. This is a very classy family who is not scared to welcome any one from Sweden.

But Rohit the hero played by Hritik Roshan is a down to earth grandson of Malhothra who finds peace in visiting Raj's middle class family. He also has a special friendship with Isha, Raj's daughter played by Karina Kapoor. But behind the friendship lies deep feelings of love which no one can guess. Sure they dance together, roll on the ground, hold hands and exchange loving gifts, but isn't that what all friends do? Raj who is too busy talking to the painting of his dead wife, remains unaware that his daughter might have feelings for Rohit. Isha's two sisters are just too innocent to see this special bond, singing happily in the kitchen. But the painting knows it, because a close up reveals that it is happy about the affair and smilingly approves.

Unfortunately, the Malhothras have already selected a rich girl for Rohit. She is westernized and proves it by saying: "Oh my God" and "Don't be silly"-- perhaps the two most important sentences in the English language. But she likes Rohit who impresses her by dancing with three thousand people at a party held on a remote island. His incredible energy and very loud singing voice that can echo over the oceans, convinces her that Rohit is a powerful man with special powers.

Mr. Malhothra takes a short break from welcoming blonde European businessmen and forbids his nephew from marrying Isha. "What about this business empire?" he asks angrily pointing to the waterfall. "How would a middle class girl adjust here?" Rohit angrily drives his sports car to Isha's house and tells her: "Today we will live in love or die in love." Suddenly in the next scene they are on a motorboat riding on the River Thames and going very fast. Rohit is standing on the edge of the motorboat in a long black overcoat. Isha is at the back in a new blue dress. Here an important question comes to mind: WHO IS DRIVING THE MOTOR BOAT?? But these are silly questions, which remain unanswered. Suddenly the music starts and Rohit starts to perform Yoga. The motorboat is shown from above with Rohit stretching his legs, in the air using his mental powers to make it go faster.

As our fascination grows with this exciting couple, they start dancing. But it's an angry dance. You know the type of dance that shows the agony of lovers, as they are hugging each other but in a painful way...stretching their necks, bending over backwards, doing karate moves and hand stands, its like an intense work out on a motor boat that drives itself. Eventually the boat runs out of fuel and Isha advises Rohit to just marry the rich girl. Isha makes the supreme sacrifice proving once again that a Desi girl on a motorboat can do any thing for love.

Rohit reluctantly agrees to marry the rich girl but plans a surprise. He invites Isha to the wedding and before the ceremony makes a surprise speech. "Kya Mohobbat jurm hai?" announces Rohit assuming a teacher like role on his wedding. "Nahee" scream all the guests in unison, and even the blonde European businessmen get into the spirit and demonstrate a clear understanding of Hindi. "Kya mujhe paisay ke liye shadeee karnee chahye?" screams an inquiring Rohit to the now hungry guests who stand in two straight lines. "Nahee" reply all the guests in complete harmony, proving once again that Desis have the power to unite over important issues and will do anything for a free dinner.

Isha runs out in tears and Rohit follows as an angry Mr. Malhothra faces hungry guests in embarrassment. The next scene is a little confusing because suddenly we are shown that Mr. Malhothra is standing with his family in front of Isha at a street in London and saying: "Beti Hamare Ghar Aajau". This adds an element of science fiction to the film, and one understands why the Malhothras made it so big. They know where every one is and can get there in the blink of an eye. Imagine if such technology were to fall in the wrong hands. And then it all made sense: the waterfall, the healing powers, the fascinating motorboat technology...the Malothras are aliens, which explains their reluctance to marry into a middle class human family. You see, Isha was from a 'down to earth' household, and they probably wanted a Bahoo who was simply "out of this world."

But love conquers all and Rohit and Isha are united in intergalactic matrimony. As a conservative middle class man, I did feel a little tension for Isha as she is marrying outside the human race. But my fears were put to rest as the camera again closed in on the painting in Raj's house.