Rewind to 1994. Small was the new big. Rajshri Productions’ Hum Aapke Hain Koun came at a critical point in Hindi cinema when the audience was being lured from theatres to television.
The 14 songs, two weddings, one funeral and zero villainy film saw a limited release but soon opened at many theatres, thanks to word-of-mouth publicity.
The film that runs like a well-shot wedding video didn’t have much of a plot. But it worked as a package – a charismatic lead pair (Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit), a gaggle of cousins, lavish ceremonies, elaborate sets and costumes, messages of love and sacrifice, hilarious and heart-warming moments, an adorable dog and a song for every reason!
Director Sooraj Barjatya’s work bagged the National Award for Best Popular Film for Wholesome Entertainment. It rewrote box-office history and also spawned the big-fat-wedding-film trend in Bollywood.
Here are some bits and bobs from the romantic classic...
TWO GOOD Prem (Salman Khan) and Nisha (Madhuri Dixit) make for sparkling screen presence. She’s beautiful and dignified, while he’s charming and passionate. Despite the pranks he plays on her in the initial frames, Prem’s role is about restraint and Salman delineates it with precision. Together they ride the emotional rollercoaster and take the audience through some unforgettable scenes of romance and longing.
THE DOG TALE Tuffy, the fluffy white Indian Spitz appears in the opening scenes donning an umpire hat and a red bow-tie in a game of cricket. It gives appropriate finishing touches to the climax by saving the day for the lead pair. In between, it’s a fixture in almost every other scene. Okay, we didn’t miss it – it even dances on its rear legs when the family is in celebration mode. Bow-WOW!
CULTURE CURRYHAHK runs like a wedding planner’s guide. From engagement and mehndi to marriage and baby showers… all the ceremonies are depicted in detail in the over-three-hour film. In a bid to beat boredom and clichés, Barjatya portrays them all with lively songs. The costumes are ethnic and heavily embellished, while the sets are elaborate. Indian tones such as turmeric, chilli red, parrot green, Rani pink, jamun purple and shimmering gold dominate the palette. Henna-decorated hands, ornate chokers and nose rings, finely-crafted juthis, colourful turbans, sprightly choreography, beautiful floral arrangements… HAHK is a slice of desi traditions.
MUSIC ALL THE WAY When the film was released with 14 songs, the audience complained about its length. Soon, Rajshri axed two numbers, but later restored them when it was proved that film-goers liked the film and enjoyed its music.
Composer RaamLaxman is said to have had 50 sessions with the director during the scripting stage. Most of the numbers are sung by Lata Mangeshkar and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. From the peppy Didi Tera Devar Deewana and Diktana to the lilting Hum Aapke Hain Koun and captivating Wah Wah Ramji … the songs ruled the charts for a long time.
FAMILY FAIR! A feel-good family drama, HAHK ’s success in its time was also due to its depiction of the structure within families, the strong bond between siblings, respect for hierarchy and importance of duty and sacrifice.
The supporting cast of Mohnish Bahl, Renuka Shahane, Anupam Kher, Reema Lago and Alok Nath were as likeable as the lead pair. That there was no violence or bawdy romance was another big plus.
OFTEN HEARD…
Hum Aaapke Hain Koun is a remake of Nadiya Ke Paar (1982)
M. F. Husain is said to have watched the film 60 times.
Initially, only 26 prints were made.
The film had a 100-week run at Liberty Cinemas, Mumbai.
Karan Johar decided to turn film-maker after watching the film.
Redo, the Indian Spitz (Tuffy in the film) was adopted by Madhuri Dixit.
This is the third film in which Salman is called Prem (after Maine Pyar Kiya and Andaz Apna Apna). Post- HAHK , he was called Prem in about a dozen films. The director-actor pair of Barjatya-Salman come together again after 15 years with Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.
