Adi loves Suhani. Adi woos Suhaini. Adi and Suhani get married despite parental opposition. Adi and Suhani set up paradise. And then winds of discord threaten to blow up their home. Adi and Suhani start having fights; petty fights that burgeon into near calamities. Adi and Suhani start doubting their decision to marry. And one day, Suhani meets an accident. Adi goes berserk searching for her. Adi finds Suhani in a hospital, comatose. Adi realizes his love for her. They hug and make up. Freeze frame.
That in essence is Saathiya for you, directed (or should we say re-directed) by Shaad Ali. The story isn’t great shakes, but somewhere the characters do strike a chord with you. You start believing in their relationship. The first-half is a charming love story which warms your heart. However, one wishes that scenes of marital discord between the couple had more spine. They aren’t very convincing.
Vivek Oberoi as Adi and Rani Mukherjee as Suhani come up with more than competent performances. They are aided by Gulzar’s smooth-flowing dialogues that contain a lot of humor. Rehman’s music is another plus, though the last time
he teamed up with Gulzar (Dil Se), the results were far more
magical.
All in all, Saathiya makes for good viewing. And in times when things aren’t going right for Bollywood, it comes as a breath of fresh air.
P.S. The public response to Shahrukh Khan’s special appearance was enormous. After Shakti (in which he disappointed), this is King Khan’s second special appearance this year. All’s well this time round.