Writer/Director: Siddharth Anand
Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta and Arshad Warsi
‘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 that he can portray compelling characters in Indian films. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his versatility. 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 movies 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 big fan of Khan and adore all the films which he has made in his career. However, “Salaam Namaste” definitely stands out as his most underrated film. Released in 2005, Siddharth Anand’s film offered an engaging portrayal of unintended pregnancy. Packed with powerful production, strong storytelling and amazing performances, it’s a fantastic Bollywood romantic comedy. At a centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Saif Ali Khan, who portrays an Indian expatriate seeking love. Although “Salaam Namaste” is a captivating Bollywood romance, it isn’t a flawless film. It builds a predictable ending that lacks satisfying resolution. That being said, it provides engaging entertainment for fans of Saif Ali Khan.
“Salaam Namaste” tells a story of a couple facing a price to pay. Saif Ali Khan portrays Nick, a dedicated chef seeking success in a profession that’s hectic. Focused on career, Nick has rarely ever had any time for having an affair. However, Nick’s life changes when he falls in love with a radio host that causes disaster. Ambar (Preity Zinta) is a charming radio show host that has dreams of her own in her profession. Nick and Ambar get along well, deciding to live together. When Ambar becomes pregnant, their relationship is all of a sudden tested. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Nick questions whether it is truly possible for him to find a suitable life partner.
Siddharth Anand is a newcomer toward the stories of pregnancy. A debutante director, Anand had never made a Bollywood movie about pregnancy. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to tackle a sensitive issue affecting couples in Indian society but he succeeded tremendously. Using bold cinematography, Anand captures a couple that is impacted by the barriers of unintended pregnancies. Inspired by Jason Reitman’s “Juno”, Anand uses engaging montages to capture lives of couples which endure sorrow. For instance, the montages enhance the meeting scene. During this heartfelt scene, Nick and Ambar meet for the first time sparking beginning of their romantic relationship. Using engaging montages, Anand constructs a portrayal of pregnancy that’s compelling. Montages are tricky techniques. As Nikhil Advani’s “Kal Ho Naa Ho” claimed, montages elevate classic Bollywood films about terminal illness. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Using breathtaking visuals, Anand captures hardship which couples facing cohabitation are facing.
Another aspect of “Salaam Namaste” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood romantic comedies you will see. Recalling Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai”, Anand effectively uses locations in Australia to stage musical sequences that prove to be engaging. For instance, Australian locations enhance the Salaam Namaste song. During this memorable song, Nick and Ambar sing a melody on a beach showcasing their love for each other. Using captivating Australian locales, Anand creates musical sequences which are engaging. Moreover, the musical score is extraordinary. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the burden that lovers that face unintended pregnancy bear. Through gorgeous production, Anand captures romantic relationships which face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Salaam Namaste” is a Bollywood romance that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and effectively employs silence to capture hardships which lovers in platonic relationships experience. For instance, the silence enhances the farewell scene. During this emotional scene, Nick and Ambar bid heartbreaking farewell to one another after breaking up. Through silence, Anand crafts a portrait of pregnancy audiences relate to. Silence is a complex technique to employ in movies. As Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Omkara” did prove clearly, silence elevates Shakespeare adaptations. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Anand captures lovers which experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Saif Ali Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Nick. Khan first earned appreciation for romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Salaam Namaste”, however, he took on his most charming role. It isn’t easy to portray an Indian man facing broken relationships that involve pregnancy but he succeeds immensely. This is the star unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most unusual role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, grief and romantic spirit of a chef seeking romantic relationships. It’s a strong performance from one of the most beloved actors in Bollywood today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Saif Ali Khan, the supporting cast is also superb. Preity Zinta is powerful, capturing the charisma of a woman that experiences unintended pregnancy causing a dilemma. Arshad Warsi is astonishing, capturing the fierce personality of a chef that assists his friend in finding love. Lastly, Javed Jaffrey merit appreciation. As a beloved chef, he is unforgettable.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Salaam Namaste” can’t quite capture the harsh reality of pregnancy in India today. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks an engaging ending. It’s a predictable conclusion that fails to bring the movie to a resolution. At worst, it perpetuates myths of pregnancy in India that aren’t true towards reality. Bollywood romantic comedies thrive based on their endings, and in this regard “Salaam Namaste” can’t entirely live up to expectations.
Nevertheless, fans of Saif Ali Khan will enjoy “Salaam Namaste” and so would audiences seeking heartfelt entertainment. A brilliant Bollywood romantic drama, it celebrates an actor there beloved in India.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a classic Bollywood romantic comedy about couples facing an unintended pregnancy, it’s a riveting reminder of an Indian actor that’s established a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray compelling heroes in commemorated films that audiences love dearly.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 