The Film: Tera Mera Saath Rahen
Director: Mahesh Manjrekar
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Sonali Bendre, Namrata Shirodkar, Dushyant Wagh, Shivaji Satam, Reema Lagoo
Director Mahesh Manjrekar is best known for his wide repertoire of subjects, from the life of an underworld don in Vaastav, a bumbling simpleton in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehata Hai to the woman desperately seeking her identity in Astitva. This time the filmmaker explores a new dimension to relationships with his latest film Tera Mera Saath Rahen, a touching tearjerker that revolves around a regular middle-class man and his beautiful albeit distinctive bonding with his younger sibling.
The film revolves around Raj Dixit (Ajay Devgan), a simple man living in the midst of a typical middle-income milieu, and his trials and tribulations. While Tera Mera Saath Rahen touches upon the myriad connections he shares with the people closest to him, the movie primarily focusses on his relationship with Rahul (Dushyant Wagh), his mentally challenged younger brother. Raj loves Madhuri (Sonali Bendre) but also realises that he is and will always be unable to commit to a serious relationship with her, since his priorities lie with Rahul and his upbringing.
Raj is supported in his struggles by his friendly neighbours Mr and Mrs Gupta (Shivaji Satam and Reema Lagoo) and their pretty daughter Suman (Namrata Shirodkar) who also nurses a soft spot for him. Who wins Raj in the end? Is Raj really capable of making a lifelong commitment to love, or does he forsake everything to be with his beloved bro? We’re going to let you hit the cinema hall to find out for yourself.
While the movie does not dwell excessively on one particular relational aspect, it manages to touch upon a plethora of different issues that plague our present day society. Tera Mera Saath Rahen is a well-paced movie, with some incredibly moving moments, thanks to the onscreen chemistry between Devgan and Wagh.
The film is powered by some exceptional performances.
Heading the list is Ajay Devgan in stupendous form as the subdued but resilient Raj. Sonali Bendre looks ravishing throughout the movie, but one wishes she had been given a better opportunity to display her histrionic abilities. Namrata Shirodkar looks good and acts competently. Both Shivaji Satam and Reema Lagoo lend credibility to their characters besides providing the necessary comic relief in an otherwise serious film.
The star of Tera Mera Saath Rahen however, is young Dushyant Wagh who packs a punch with his heart-wrenching performance as the mentally challenged Rahul. Every nuance rings of sheer honesty as he commands the screen with his innocence and vulnerability. A definite star in the making if this film is anything to go by.
The movie is well edited and has a good sense of continuity to it. Some of the songs act as deterrents to the pace of the film, but being part of the regular potpourri that characterises a typical masala film cannot be done away with either. Hats off to director Mahesh Manjrekar, for stepping out of the routine once again and coming out a winner. Tera Mera Saath Rahen is a must watch for people with a stomach for genuine human emotion. If you don’t, just arm yourselves with a cartload of tissues but watch it nevertheless.
