Writer/Director: David Dhawan
Starring: Salman Khan, Govinda and Katrina Kaif
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in India have created comedies as beloved as Salman Khan. Ever since his stardom in the 1990’s, Khan has proven to be one of the greatest actors in Bollywood. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, terrorists in danger or professional wrestlers, Khan has suggested he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his comic timing. Khan has always excelled at making comedies with a sense of humour. Through his abilities to portray characters which are compelling, Khan has established a legacy which has proven to be compelling. Despite having reached age of retirement, Khan has never lost his strong passion for producing iconic entertainment. An iconic legend in India, Khan has become a strong legend in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout a groundbreaking career, Khan has created several strong movies that are absolutely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore movies he has made in his career. However, “Partner” absolutely stands out as being his funniest film. Released in 2007, David Dhawan’s film offered a fantastic Bollywood remake of the iconic movie “Hitch”. Packed with engaging musical numbers, powerful storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a brilliant Bollywood romantic comedy. At the centre of it all is an outstanding performance by Salman Khan, who plays a love guru providing bold advice about relationships. Although “Partner” is a brilliant Bollywood comedy, ultimately it isn’t a flawless film. It builds towards a formulaic conclusion without resolution. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment which will satisfy fans of Salman Khan.
“Partner” tells the story of a love guru that gives dating tips to men in danger. Salman Khan portrays Prem, a gifted love guru with talent for giving men advice about romantic relationships. Prem has always excelled at doing his job without facing any challenges in relationships. However, Prem’s love for his job is tested when he’s given a client with a reckless behaviour. Bhaskar (Govinda) is a comical businessman that is desperate to woo over affections of boss Priya (Katrina Kaif). Prem strives to do his best to assist a client that’s desperate to find love. As he is faced with challenges as a love guru, Prem questions his devotion towards a profession he used to value.
David Dhawan has always been fascinated with the romantic comedy genre. A brilliant Bollywood filmmaker, Dhawan has created engaging comedies about romantic heroes in danger. With “Partner”, however, Dhawan created his first ever Bollywood remake. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to remake a classic Hollywood romantic comedy but he succeeded immensely. Using captivating cinematography, Dhawan captures a love guru embarking on a journey to discover his identity. Emulating Andy Tennant’s “Hitch”, Dhawan uses montages to capture the life of a love guru with bold advice to pitch. For instance, montages elevate the relationship advice scene. During this memorable scene, Prem gives relationship advice to a series of men in interview sessions. Using engrossing montages, Dhawan honours a world famous Hollywood film. Montages are complicated techniques to utilize in Bollywood. As Karan Johar’s “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” suggested, montages elevate Bollywood movies about college students. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Using stunning visuals, Dhawan captures tensions that love gurus providing advice are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Partner” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood comedies you will see. Dhawan effectively uses cross-cutting to construct musical sequences about romantic gurus which are compelling. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the Soni De Nakhre song. During this unforgettable scene, Bhaskar attempts to woo over his boss by singing a melody at a party. Using bold cross-cutting, Bhaskar creates a portrait of love gurus that is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing a burden love gurus bear. Through stunning production, Dhawan captures romantic love gurus experiencing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Partner” is a Bollywood comedy which is engaging. The film is extremely well written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture tensions that love gurus seeking relationships face. For instance, dramatic monologues elevate the relationship advice scene. During this emotional scene, Prem delivers a profound monologue to express his frustration with the love guru profession. Through engrossing monologues, Dhawan creates a portrait of love gurus audiences can relate to. Monologues are complicated. As Kabir Khan’s “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” proved, monologues elevate Bollywood films about disabilities. Through a fantastic screenplay, Dhawan honours an iconic Hollywood movie that’s beloved today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Salman Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Pawan. Khan first earned appreciation for playing comical heroes in classic Bollywood comedies. With “Partner”, however, he took on his most amusing role. It isn’t easy to portray a love guru seeking romantic relationships that cause adversity, but he succeeds immensely. This is the star unlike you have ever seen him before: bold, charismatic and hilarious in his most offbeat role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, frustration and reckless nature of a love guru facing tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest actors in Bollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a great showcase for Salman Khan, the supporting cast is also stellar and worthy of appreciation. Govinda is fantastic, bringing charisma to a hopeless man seeking advice that cause a dilemma. Katrina Kaif is captivating, bringing romantic tension to a woman that falls in love with her employee in an organization. Lastly, Lara Dutta merits appreciation. As a glamorous woman, she is unforgettable.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Partner” can’t quite capture love gurus in danger. If there’s a shortcoming to the film, it lacks a great ending. It’s an over-the-top conclusion that fails to bring the movie to a satisfying resolution. Whereas this ending enhanced “Hitch”, it clashes with this film. Bollywood comedies thrive based on their endings, and in this regard “Partner” falls short.
Nevertheless, fans of Salman Khan would definitely enjoy “Partner” and so will movie-goats seeking comical entertainment. A captivating Bollywood comedy, it honours an actor with a strong legacy.
Nearly 20 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood comedy about a love guru seeking to make men’s dreams come true, it’s a riveting reminder of a beloved Indian actor that has scarcely lost his abilities to captivate by making memorable movies in many genres which audiences have grown to value.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 