Writer/Director: Kunal Kohli
Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukerji and Rishi Kapoor
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Saif Ali Khan. Ever since his rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the finest actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, dangerous gangsters or sacred police inspectors, Khan has proven he can portray various compelling characters in Indian films. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his versatility. Unlike most actors in Bollywood, Khan has proven that he can play roles in practically any film genre. He is one of those rare actors that has proven he can portray a wide range of characters in various genres. Through his versatility, Khan has created timeless films in his career which Indian audiences value. A bright light shining in darkness, he has become an icon in the Indian film business whose films have always given audiences the emotions of happiness. A legendary figure in India, Khan has become an icon in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has produced several unforgettable films that are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and admire all the films that he has produced throughout his career. I grew up watching his Bollywood movies which were a pivotal part of my childhood. However, my personal favourite movie he has made has always been “Hum Tum”. Packed with stunning production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Indian movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Saif Ali Khan, who embodies a cartoonist that falls in love with a woman in a doomed romance. Ultimately, the film delivers a heartwarming message about friendship that would resonate with everyone. Unlike most Bollywood films, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. Despite its focus on Indian lovers, it tackles universal themes that transcend cultures. A marvellous Indian masterpiece about romance, there are many strong reasons why it’s a movie which is worth watching.
“Hum Tum” tells a story of a romance between a couple that falls in love with several reunions over the years. Saif Ali Khan embodies Karan Kapoor, a famous cartoonist embarking on a journey to discover identity. Karan has always yearned to find love in his life. Karan’s dreams come true when he falls in love with Rhea (Rani Mukerji). Rhea is a serious girl that looks at the world from realistic point of view. Despite their massive differences in personality, Karan and Rhea immediately fall in love with each other. Embarking upon a journey across Europe, the two lovers find joy in each other’s company. However, their romance relationship is soon threatened by different career paths. Forced to separate by circumstances of fate, Karan and Rhea see their relationship deteriorate. As the two lovers endure a dilemma, they slowly begin to question whether they would ever be able to be together in India.
Kunal Kohli is fascinated with Bollywood love stories. Before he directed “Hum Tum”, Kohli was well-known for making romantic movies in India. A renowned Indian filmmaker, Kohli has often made films about lovers whose romantic relationships face disaster. His previous movie “Mujhse Dosti Karoge!” provided an authentic glimpse at the romantic relationships between childhood lovers. With “Hum Tum”, however, he created his first romantic drama. It was Kohli’s first attempt to capture the romance between a pair of lovers reuniting over many years but he succeeds tremendously. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes as breathtaking as animated comics that cartoonists realize. Through stunning cinematography, Kohli captures the romance between a couple reuniting over the course of many years. Kohli effectively uses animation to capture strong bonds between a pair of lovers. Throughout the movie, Kohli successfully uses animation to capture the bonds between a pair of lovers. For instance, animation elevates the garden scene. During this unforgettable scene, Karan and Rhea bond together in a garden by having a conversation. Animation isn’t a simple technique to use effectively in Bollywood films. As Aamir Khan’s “Taare Zameen Par” proved clearly, animation enhanced movies capturing intellectual disabilities. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Kohli captures bonds between a pair of lovers reuniting.
Another admirable aspect of “Hum Tum” that is worth discussing is the production design. From a technical point of view, the movie is extremely well-made. Kohli expertly stages memorable musical sequences showcasing bonds between lovers. In Bollywood, most movies are always driven with loud musical sequences without any meaning. Thankfully, however, this is definitely not the case with “Hum Tum”. Kohli effectively stages strong musical sequences through rainy weather. For instance, the rainy weather elevates the Hum Tum musical sequence. During this memorable scene, Karan and Rhea bond by spending time together in the rain. Through this weather, the film creates a strong romance that audiences can easily relate to. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Salim Merchant’s music is integral towards the film’s success. It gives the movie a whimsical atmosphere capturing lovers engaging in a doomed romantic affair. Through phenomenal production-design, Kohli captures the strong bonds between lovers that rarely decline.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Hum Tum” is a captivating Indian classic which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses a framing device to tell the story of a couple that falls madly in love. Kohli’s screenwriting strength is capturing the bonds between two lovers over the years by a framing device. Throughout the movie, Karan recounts fond memories of his past romance with Rhea in a bookstore. Through the unique framing device, Kohli constructs a compelling character which audiences can easily relate to. For instance, this ingenious framing device elevates the opening scene. During this strong scene, Karan tells the heartbreaking story of his past romance sitting in a bookstore. It’s an emotional scene that does an effective job of establishing the story of the movie. Framing devices are complicated techniques to use in major movies. As Nick Cassavetes’ “The Notebook” demonstrated, framing devices often elevate commemorated romantic adaptations. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Kohli captures the commemorated bonds between a pair of lovers in India today.
One admires astonishing performances.
Saif Ali Khan delivers one of his greatest career performances as Karan. Khan first achieved appreciation for playing friends developing bonds together in dramas. With “Hum Tum”, however, he portrayed his most romantic role. It isn’t simple to portray the personality of a man reuniting with a lover over the course of several years but he succeeds. It’s a role that gave Khan an opportunity to demonstrate his charisma as a beloved icon in Indian Cinema. With extraordinary expressions, he captures the angst, heartache and romantic nature of a man engaging in commemorated romantic relationships which transform his life forever. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the most commemorated actors working in Bollywood today.
Rani Mukerji is remarkable as a woman which reunites with her lover over several years that shapes her destiny. While Khan gets a showier role, Mukerji is equally excellent as a woman seeking to accomplish a goal. Mukerji is one of those actresses that has always been skilled at communicating strong emotions through her body language, and “Hum Tum” showcased her strengths. Whether she’s joyously flirting with Karan in a wedding or mourning the loss of her commemorated husband several years after his death, Mukerji effectively uses her body language to create a compelling woman experiencing a romantic relationship. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the most iconic actresses working in Bollywood today.
Finally, “Hum Tum” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing romantic relationships. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. The film discusses meaningful themes including identity, romance and sacrifices which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be Indian in identity to appreciate the movie. It delivers a relatable message about romance that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Hum Tum” is one of those rare Bollywood movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Saif Ali Khan will definitely appreciate “Hum Tum” and so will movie-goers seeking heartbreaking entertainment. An iconic Indian masterpiece about romance, it celebrates an actor that has built a legacy that’s fantastic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about a pair of lovers reuniting over several years forming a romantic relationship that’s long-lasting, it’s a rousing reminder of an actor that has built an enduring legacy achieving a massive fan following through his abilities to portray larger-than-life characters that are compelling whose unforgettable movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 