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August 5. 2000
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Candy for the eye
Aparajita Saha
Take the English movie While You Were Sleeping. Throw in a triangle.
Stir in some chemistry, blend some hummable
songs. Add adequate doses of some conventional Bollywood-ishtyle
histrionics. Garnish it with some comedy and hey presto, Har Dil Jo Pyar
Karega is ready for serving! The result is guaranteed to give audiences
everywhere that mushy, gooey, everything-is-all-right-with-the-world
sensation they crave.
Raj, also fondly called Raju (Salman Khan), is an aspiring singer looking
for the elusive break. Pooja (Rani Mukherji) and Janavi (Preity Zinta) are
best friends. Rani Mukherji is in a coma. Her family thinks Salman Khan's is
her husband, but he isn't. To further entangle matters, Salman Khan is
besotted with Preity Zinta. The rest, as they say, is good old Hindi cinema, taking its usual twists and turns to eventually reach the inevitable feel-good ending.
Of the cast, Preity Zinta is an amazingly engaging performer. She has a
winning smile and a variety of noteworthy expressions. Salman Khan is
equally likeable, even when shirtless, and it's refreshing to see him
finally get the girl. After relinquishing his love in numerous movies, he's
finally at the receiving end. Rani Mukherji tends to get overshadowed by
Preity Zinta, but she has her winning moments too, during the latter part of
the film.
The movie strikes a fine balance between poignant pathos and genuinely funny
comedy, neither of which are overdone. Especially worth mentioning is a
scene between Salman Khan and Preity Zinta where he valiantly tries to hold
on to her while she is breaking-up with him.
The songs are well
choreographed, and make for easy listening. Anu Malik has composed a pleasant
soundtrack - if only the man would quit singing! The supporting cast fits in
unobtrusively, although everyone appears a little too cheerful for a family
whose daughter is in coma.
All in all, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega delivers what it advertises: no
surprises, but a load of warm feelings packaged in a glossy and sleek wrap.
So book yourself a seat, and Bon Appétit!
CREDITS:
Director: Raj Kanwar
Cast: Salman Khan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherji, Shakti Kapoor, Kamini
Kaushal, Paresh Rawal
Producer: Sajid Nadiadwala
Cinematographer: W B Rao
Music: Anu Malik
Lyrics: Sameer
Choreographer: Farah Khan
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