Writer/Director: Aditya Chopra
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Uday Chopra
‘Bollywood at its Best’
Few actresses in India have created movies which satisfy audiences like Aishwarya Rai. Ever since her rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Rai has become a beloved actress that has made memorable movies. Whether it’s bold historic figures, doomed lovers or rebellious daughters, Rai has portrayed several strong characters. Arguably, Rai’s best strength as an actress has often been her bravery. She is one of those rare actresses which hasn’t been afraid of taking risks in her career by taking on controversial characters. Through her ability to create strong female heroines audiences can relate to, Rai has become a great actress whose work audiences value. Throughout her impressive career, Rai has made several unforgettable movies that are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Rai and adore all the films which she has made in her career. However, “Mohabbatein” definitely stands out as her most meaningful movie. Released in 2000, Aditya Chopra’s movie offered a captivating portrait of romantic students. Packed with mesmerizing musical sequences, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s an extraordinary Bollywood romantic drama. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Aishwarya Rai, who portrays a depressed woman that is stuck in a doomed romantic relationship facing disaster. 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. Haunted by death of his daughter Megha (Aishwarya Rai), Narayan seeks to control an institution without a dilemma. However, Narayan’s life forever changes by the sudden 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.
Aishwarya Rai delivers one of her greatest performances as Megha. Raj first earned appreciation playing romantic heroines in Bollywood. With “Mohabbatein”, however, the actress took on her most complex role. It’s not easy to portray a woman that falls in love with a college student causing tragedy but she succeeds tremendously. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her in the past before: intense, charismatic and utterly charming in her most emotional role. With mesmerizing expressions, she captures the angst, courage and compassionate nature of a woman seeking romantic relations. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actresses working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Aishwarya Rai, the supporting cast is also spectacular and worthy of recognition. Shah Rukh Khan is spectacular, capturing the charismatic nature of a music teacher that inspires students to find love defying social order. Amitabh Bachchan is brilliant, bringing tension to a school principal that seeks to control his institution using strict societal tradition. Lastly, Uday Chopra is terrific. As a mischievous college student, he brings hilarious comical relief to the film.
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 Aishwarya Rai will absolutely enjoy “Mohabbatein” and so will audiences that seek meaningful entertainment. A riveting Bollywood romantic drama, it honours an actress that’s beloved in India.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film capturing a principal struggling to take care of students in an institution, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary Indian actress with dedication to her craft that has made great movies in her lasting career that are absolutely without a single doubt worthy of celebration.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 