Starring-Saif Ali Khan as Nikhil Arora aka Nik!
Preity Zinta as Hamber aka Aamber!
Arshad Warsi as Ron!
Jugal Hansraj as Jignesh
Abhisekh Bachchan as Idiot Doctor!!!
Another hit for Yash Chopra !!!
That’s what I felt as soon as I walked out of nearest multiplex screening SALAAM NAMASTE .Being super excited about the film, I watched it on morning show itself!!
Riding high on success of Hum Tum , Dhoom , Veer-Zaraa , and Bunty aur Bubly , Yashraj film is back with its latest outing in form of SALAAM NAMASTE .Attractive promos, a smash hit title track, excellent star cast, and fantastic promos coupled with Yashraj tag...does SALAAM NAMASTE live upto expectations? YES-all the way!
Directed by debutant director Siddharth Anand, the film is set in Australia and has a very contemporary and trendy look. Siddharth Raj Anand assisted Kunal Kohli during the making of Hum Tum that’s why the promos of movie are quite similar to HT!
Salaam Namaste is a joy ride that strikes you from the very first scene and by the time it reaches final , you are are all together in a new world! The world that’s akin to fairy tale!!The subject that SALAAM NAMASTE deals with is quite bold-a live-in relationship .But that’s the only aspect where SALAAM NAMASTE is different from its counterpart .Otherwise its same Bollywood drama yet it works in a big big way !!Although the film is, to an extent, influenced by a couple of western flicks, the makers have Indianised the theme keeping the Indian palate in mind.
The film begins in Australia and we get to see Aamber[Preity Zinta ] working as an RJ in FM station called SALAAM NAMASTE! Aamber is as cool as Cucumber and she hates late person!! Well that’s the way with which director introduced her character! She is one crazy person and wants everything in life at any cost .She is working as an RJ just to complete her medicine .Another secret is that she had ran away from her hometown Banglore without the permission of her parents.
Nikhil Arora[Saif Ali Khan] is a confused guy whose situation is quite similar to Aamber.He is an architect aka chef who is working in a resturant in Australia! His new name is Nik as he considers Nikhil to be an outdated name.He does not believe in institution of marriage.Life is all about masti and Dhamaka for him .
Story begins when Amber asks Nikhil Arora for an interview for her program .But being latecomer , he fails to reach the FM station in the time and then starts a problem between two .However as per Bollywood rule , both are couple after some initial problems.Supporting them are Jugal Hansraj and Arshad Warsi who are friends of Preity and Saif.Actual drama takes place when Saif asks Preity to share a same house so that they can spend time with each other .Though they will be living in same apartment , there will be different room for both of them! Preity is ready to do so .Then starts a journey which will give a chance to know each other.Everything is fine .....
After two months....
Preity is Pregnant but this is more of a shocking news to Saif who is just not ready to bear the responsibility of a father .He suggests Preity to abort the child.But Preity refuses to do that and she decides to give birth to child on her own!And finally after some dramatic moments , Saif accepts Preity in a funny climax in a maternity ward!!
SALAAM NAMASTE marks the arrival of new talent in form of SRA!Right from the beginning , the film strikes you .The first half is very similar to HUM TUM and KAL HO NAA HO .But film still entertains and thats what matter.
The film is laced with gags that leave the viewer in splits and is filled with twists and turns which keep the viewers interest alive through. The comic situations that arise in the film aren’t entirely orignal but they are fresh.Like
The sequence between SAif and Preity in the very beginning when she asks for his interview.
The way with which characters are introduced is unique.
The scene in the beach just before the title track are hilarious.Arshad’s marriage sequences leave you spellbound!
The sequence where Saif and Preity are searching for a house!
But its the interval point , that takes film to a new horizon! The moment Preity comes to know about her pregnancy and she visits a Doctor is terrific! The way with which her character develops a feeling of motherhood is just perfect.
The second half has its share of strengths and weaknesses. The intense sequences between Saif and Preity have been handled with maturity.Its easy to identify with the situations and thats the area where film scores big time! The outbrust of Preity makes you emotional.
A number of scenes have a lingering effect on the viewer even after the show has ended, notable among them being:
The scene where Preity vomits in cap of SAif is just hilarious!
The fight that ensues between Preity and Saif due to an Ice-cream tickles your funny bone...
The scene where Doctor informs Saif that Preity will give birth to twins!
The climax when Abhisekh enters the scene in hospital is funny , funnier, funniest ! The act of Arshad Warsi is especially terrific!
But film is not without its share of flaws!One fails to understand why Preity is running after Saif for an interview after all he is just an ordinary chef!The basic premise of film is faulty!!Saif’s sudden change of heart in pre-climax is hard to digest!!
The dialogues in the movie deserve a special mention as they are brilliant .Technically the film is has a slick and glossy look throughout.camerawork is superb and the locales of AUSTRALIA have been superbly captured.
Music is treat!The amount of energy and zest that is in the title track is brilliant and the song is instant hit. It has Baywatch feel to it!!
And now to the performances!The life of the enterprise is undoubtedly Preity Zinta, who looks good, delivers her lines effectively and emotes with utmost conviction.She takes a giant leap in emotional moments, handling the most difficult scenes with aplomb. In the light moments as well as the romantic ones, she is in total command, not going overboard one bit.It is hard to imagine another actress playing the role of Aamber with such perfection.Her role is quite similar to KYA KEHNA and she passes with flying colour yet again!
Saif Ali Khan is fantastic and reminds one of the DCH , KHNH and HT . After a Award Winning act in PARINEETA , he again delivers a winning performance here. SAIF’S comic timing is no doubt emmaculate and he again reaffirms the fact that he is one of Bollywoods most talented actors and truly a gem. The amount of energy, zest and positive energy sAIF brings to the movie must be applauded .
Arshad Warsi’s goofy facial expressions and tongue-in-cheek one liners hit the spot.
Abhisekh Bachchan is a disappointment here and one wishes that he doesn’t take inconsequential comic roles like this.Jugal Hansraj is cute ditto for Tania!
In short , SALLAM NAMASTE is a sure shot hit all the way .Do not miss it at any cost!!