Writer/Director: Aditya Chopra
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Uday Chopra
‘Bollywood at its Best’
Not many actors in Bollywood have earned praise of Amitabh Bachchan. Following his rise to fame amid the 1970’s, Bachchan has transformed in a legendary Bollywood icon. Whether it’s inspiring teachers, frustrated fathers or patriotic leaders, Bachchan has played many strong characters. Arguably, Bachchan’s best strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare Indian actors that has always had strong presence which has elevated every movie he is in. Through his capabilities to create characters which audience can easily relate to, Bachchan has become a celebrated Bollywood icon that audiences value. Although he is best known for roles in Bollywood, Bachchan has proven he excels in every genre. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Bachchan has never lost long lasting passion for entertainment. Throughout his illustrious career, Bachchan has produced countless movies which are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a big fan of Bachchan and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Mohabbatein” may be his most underrated film. Released in 2000, Aditya Chopra’s film offered a strong portrait of college romance. Packed with mesmerizing musical numbers, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the greatest Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance from Amitabh Bachchan, who embodies the strict principle of an all-boys boarding school institution. Ultimately, what makes “Mohabbatein” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Despite focusing on lives of Indian college students, its strong themes would resonate with everyone. A captivating Bollywood classic, there are several reasons why “Mohabbatein” is a film that’s definitely worth watching.
Set in a boarding institution, “Mohabbatein” follows a pair of college students that rebel against authority. Amitabh Bachchan plays Narayan Shankar, the strict principal of an all boy college institution. Following a strict tradition, Narayan has always kept a close watch over boys in his institution. However, Narayan’s life forever changes by the arrival of a rebellious professor. Raj Malhotra (Shah Rukh Khan) is a rebellious music professor that dares to challenge the strict rules that Narayan has built. Encouraging three boys to find love, Raj disrupts rigid rules of a bold institution. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Narayan wonders whether it is possible to control his institution run by an opposing professor.
Aditya Chopra has always been fascinated with the romance genre in India. A fantastic Indian filmmaker, Chopra has often created engaging Bollywood movies about romantic relationships. His celebrated Bollywood film “Dilwale Dulhania Ley Jayenge” offered an engaging portrait of lovers which gatecrash wedding. With “Mohabbatein”, however, the filmmaker made his first ever college drama. It was the filmmaker’s attempt capturing the romantic relationships of college students in India but he succeeded. Using breathtaking cinematography, Chopra captures a college principal struggling to control an institution with authority. Evoking Peter Weir’s “Dead Poets Society”, Chopra effectively employs montages to capture a professor developing bonds with students in society. For instance, montages elevate the music lessons scene. During this unforgettable scene, Raj delivers an inspiring music lesson towards students inspiring them to find love. Using montages, Chopra crafts a portrait of colleges in India that’s compelling.
Another admirable aspect of “Mohabbatein” that merits appreciations is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive Bollywood movies you will ever see. Evoking Karan Johar’s “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”, Chopra uses settings of an Indian boarding institution to create mesmerizing musical numbers. For instance, the college location elevates the “Aankhein Khule” song scene. During this unforgettable scene, Raj assembles a big party bringing together the boys and girls of his boarding institution. It’s a magical music sequence showcasing the best that Bollywood has to offer. Moreover, the score is magnificent. Jatin-Lalit’s music contributes to the success of the film. Each song is emotional, melodious and absolutely crucial to enhancing the story. Through bold production, Chopra crafts a strong portrait of an Indian institution.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Mohabbatein” is a Bollywood movie that’s engaging. Amid the thrilling song and dance sequences, the film finds time for engaging storytelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively used dramatic monologues to capture tension professors in a boarding school common he experience. For example, monologues enhance the professor identity scene. During this tense scene, Raj reveals his true identity of being the former lover of his principal’s daughter. Though captivating monologues, Chopra creates a portrait of a boarding school which audiences relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in Bollywood movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, dramatic monologues elevate Bollywood films about broken families. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Chopra captures professors in India facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Amitabh Bachchan delivers one of his finest career performances as Narayan Shankar. Bachchan first earned appreciation playing the heroes of Bollywood action films. With “Mohabbatein”, however, the Indian actor took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a professor in a strict university, but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past: intense, charismatic and towering in his most authoritative role. With riveting expressions, he conveys the angst, bravery and strict nature of a principle. It’s a strong performance from one of the finest actors in India today.
Shah Rukh Khan is spectacular as a strong music teacher that inspires his students to seize the day. Khan has always excelled at playing heartthrob heroes in romantic films, and “Mohabbatein” showcased his greatest strength as an actor. Whether he’s giving an impassioned speech to Narayan about his belief in love or inspiring students to break rules, Khan effectively uses body language to create a character that’s compelling. This is a great role that gave the actor a chance to show his charisma. It’s an extraordinary performance from a Bollywood superstar.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also deserving of appreciation. Uday Chopra is captivating, bringing charisma towards a rebellious college student that breaks rules which cause a dilemma. Jimmy Shergill is superb, capturing the tender personality of a college student seeking love in a school against authority. Lastly, Aishwarya Rai is phenomenal. As Raj’s deceased lover, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “Mohabbatein” would definitely earn appreciation of everyone for capturing state of love in India today. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it discusses bold themes everyone would relate to. It tackles strong themes of education, mental health and rebellion that would resonate with everyone. Viewers are not required to be familiar with the culture of India to enjoy it. Therefore, “Mohabbatein” is one of those rare Bollywood movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Amitabh Bachchan will appreciate “Mohabbatein” and so would movie-goers seeking enjoyable entertainment. A riveting Bollywood romantic drama, it celebrates a legendary actor with charisma in India.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about an authoritative principal struggling to take care of students in a boarding institution, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary Indian actor with dedication towards his craft that has made unforgettable movies in a lasting career that are absolutely without a single doubt worthy of celebration.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 