The Film: Tere Naam
Starring: Salman Khan and Bhumika Chawla
Director: Satish Kaushik
Producer: Orion Pictures
Music: Himesh Reshammiya
RATING: 4/10
Orion Pictures & MAD Films. Tere Naam (UA) is a love story with a difference. A loafer, Radhe Mohan (Salman Khan), whiles away his time by bullying people and generally doing nothing constructive for a living even after passing out from college. He falls in love with a temple priest.s simple and innocent daughter, Nirjara (Bhoomika Chawla), but the latter can.t even dream of marrying him. She, however, changes her mind when she realises that although Radhe Mohan is a toughie on the exterior, he has a heart of gold. However, it is now destiny that comes in the way of the two lovers.
Radhe Mohan loses his memory, thanks to the local goons who almost kill him in a one-to-one fight. He lands in an ashram for the mentally ill but the chances of his recovery are very slim. Meanwhile, Nirjara is forced by her father to give her consent for marriage with a boy of his (father.s) choice. However, one fine day, Radhe Mohan regains his lost memory. He runs away from the ashram but there.s a big shock for him in store when he reaches home. After his shock, there.s a bigger shock for the audience in the cinema halls.
Remake of the Tamil super-hit Sethu, the film has a very good and engrossing first half with Indian sentiments galore. Excellent dialogue (Jainendra Jain), hit music (Himesh Reshammiya) and the unpredictability of the story in general make the pre-interval portion very entertaining. Actually, the best part of the entire film is its unpredictable nature. This keeps the audience totally engrossed because they are oftentimes unable to imagine what.s going to happen.
However, the film takes a dramatic turn in the second half. The light scenes now give way to a crude and grim atmosphere of the ashram in which the patients are tied in chains. But before the ashram portion, the dilemma of the family and friends of Radhe Mohan about whether to admit him to the ashram or not has been portrayed extraordinarily. It is bound to draw tears from the cinegoers. eyes. The scenes in the ashram, however, may be found to be repulsive by the weak-hearted, especially the womenfolk.
But, perhaps, the biggest drawback of the film is the running away of Radhe Mohan from the ashram. Why doesn.t he simply convey to the authorities that he has regained his memory? Had he done that, there would.ve been no need to run the way he does. Of course, the running heightens the drama but it is not too convincing. The scenes showing his inability to make himself heard by the authorities look very unbelievable.
The climax would meet with mixed reaction. While one section of the audience would like it, there would be another which would find it unsuitable for the hero.s image. Nevertheless, those who find the climax acceptable would be moved to tears.
The film has a fair dose of light moments and some heart-wrenching emotions. The music, of course, is a major asset. The well-written songs (Sameer) have been set to tunes (Himesh Reshammiya) that would make the audience sway, if not dance in the halls. There are several clapworthy scenes and songs too.
Salman Khan does an extraordinary job. He looks young and fresh and plays to the gallery. His dances are electrifying. In one word, he is brilliant! His hairstyle may become a fashion statement of the youth if the film clicks. Bhoomika Chawla suits the character beautifully and exudes the purity and simplicity that was needed. She may lack glamour but for roles of the kind she plays in this film, she is appropriate.
Sachin Khedekar, as Salman.s brother, is first-rate. Savita Prabhune very ably complements Khedekar, in the role of his emotional wife. Sarfaraz Khan, as Salman.s friend Aslam, is just too fantastic. The boy is an extraordinary actor and evokes tears from the audience.s eyes in the scene in which he revolts against Sachin Khedekar and again in the climax. Ravi Kissen is excellent. Radhika Chowdhary leaves a mark. Saurabh Dubey, as Bhoomika.s father, is very effective. Anang Desai lends good support. Guest Mahima Chaudhry provides sex appeal and star value in her lovely dance number. Mahendra Verma and the rest give able support.
Satish Kaushik.s direction is praiseworthy. Although the second half is crude and grim, he has added a strong emotional base to the crudity, which saves the second half from becoming a tedious experience. The best part of his direction is the way in which he infuses the scenes with very Indian sentiments. He has also extracted excellent work from his cast.
Himesh Reshammiya is no less a hero of the film. His songs are a delight to hear. Song picturisations (Chinni Prakash, Ganesh Acharya and Rekha Chinni Prakash) are superb. The .Odhni. song, especially, is extraordinary and its placement is just too good. It will draw whistles and applause in the cinemas. The other melodious songs are the title track, .O jaana o jaana., .Tumse milna., .Lagan lagi. (penned by Jalees Sherwani and composed by Sajid Wajid) and .Yeh pyar mein kyun.. Action scenes (Mahendra Verma) are effective but too crude. Camerawork (S. Sriram) is first-rate. Other technical aspects are of a good standard.
On the whole, Tere Naam may have a more class-appealing second half but the beautiful first half, hit music and superb initial as also its reasonable price will make it a good earner for all concerned.
