Writer/Director: Aditya Chopra
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Vinay Pathak
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in India are as iconic as Anushka Sharma. Ever since her rise toward fame in the 1990’s, Sharma has become a celebrated Indian actress. Whether it’s bold wrestlers, doomed lovers or historic figures, Sharma has portrayed several compelling characters. Arguably, Sharma’s strength as an actress has often been her commitment towards her craft. She is one of those rare actresses which has seldom been afraid to take risks in her career by portraying women that are complex. Even if she isn’t a main focus of a movie, Sharma has always left a lasting impression. An actress with strong presence, Sharma has made many great movies earning audience. Throughout her powerful career, Sharma has made many memorable movies which are worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Sharma and adore all the movies which she has made in her career. However, “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi” definitely stands out as her most meaningful movie. Released in 2008, Aditya Chopra’s movie offered a powerful portrait of competitive dancing competitions. Packed with strong musical numbers, captivating storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a breathtaking Bollywood romantic drama. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance from Anushka Sharma, who embodies a woman seeking to discover romance in India. Ultimately, what makes “Rab Ne Bana De Jodi” a Bollywood classic is its appeal. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles powerful themes everyone will relate to. A brilliant Bollywood romantic drama, there are many strong reasons why “Rab Ne Bana De Jodi” is worth watching.
“Rab Ne Bana De Jodi” tells the story of an aging Indian man which falls in love with a young woman causing adversity. Shah Rukh Khan portrays Surinder Sahi, an elderly man that lives a life that’s lonely. Surinder yearns to find love in his life that seems to be a far-fetched possibility. However, Surinder’s life forever changes when he falls in love with a young dancer. Taani (Anushka Sharma) is a talented female dancer that has a talent for engaging in dancing competitions. Due to a big age difference, Surinder makes a choice to dress up as a youthful man to win over a heart of a young woman. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Surinder soon is forced to wonder whether he will ever find a lover.
Aditya Chopra is fascinated with the themes of love. A fantastic Indian filmmaker, Chopra has often made engaging movies about the lives of lovers facing disaster. His iconic film “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” provided an engrossing portrait of lovers striving to take soon to be brides away. With “Rab De Bana Di Jodi”, however, Chopra directed his first ever dancing movie. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of lovers in joyous dance competitions but he pulled it off effectively. Using bold cinematography, Chopra captures an aging man on journey to find his identity. Emulating Yash Chopra’s “Lamhe”, Chopra effectively uses montages to capture bonds between lovers with a big age difference. For instance, the montages elevate the dance scene. During this intense scene, Surinder engages in a dance with his newfound lover in competitions. Using bold montages, Chopra creates a portrait of love that’s engaging. Montages are tricky to use in movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, montages often enhance dysfunctional family dramas. That being said, it works immensely. Using strong visuals, Chopra captures hardships dancers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Rab Ne Bana De Jodi” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies you will ever see. Chopra expertly cross-cutting to create musical sequences which prove to be engrossing. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the Haule Haule song. During this unforgettable scene, Surinder engages in a song and dance number demonstrating his passion for love. Using strong cross-cutting, Chopra creates a romance that’s engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing the burden that aging lovers bear. Through strong production, Chopra captures lovers facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Rab Ne Bana De Jodi” is a Bollywood film that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and expertly uses silence to convey hardship lovers experience. Evoking Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai”, Chopra effectively uses silence to capture lovers which face a price to pay. For instance, silence enhances the secret scene. During this intense scene, Taani discovers the true identity of Surinder in state of silence. Through silence, Chopra crafts a portrait of romance that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in most films. As Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Swades” suggested, silence often elevates films about Indian homeland. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through a phenomenal screenplay, Chopra captures lovers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Anushka Sharma delivers one of her finest performances as Taani. Sharma achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroines in Bollywood films. With “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi”, however, the actress took upon her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a woman taking part in dancing competitions but she succeeds tremendously. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her in the past before: bold, emotional and heartfelt in her most memorable role. With mesmerizing expressions, she conveys the angst, bravery and tensions faced by a woman taking part in dancing competitions. It’s an exceptional performance from one of the most beloved actresses in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Sharma, the supporting cast is excellent and worthy of praise. Shah Rukh Khan is spectacular, bringing out a compassionate nature of an elderly man falling in love with a young woman. Vijay Pathak is powerful, bringing charm to a hairdresser that assists Surinder in finding love. Lastly, M.K. Raina merits appreciation. As Taani’s father, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “Rab Ne Bana De Jodi” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing marriages that face adversity. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses bold subjects including ambition, mental health and trauma which would resonate amongst everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Indian cultures to enjoy it. Therefore, “Rab De Bana De Jodi” is one of those rare Bollywood movies about romance everyone would adore.
Fans of Anushka Sharma will enjoy “Rab Ne Bana De Jodi” and so will audiences which seek meaningful entertainment. A riveting Bollywood romantic drama, it honours an actress with charisma.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about lovers with a huge age difference, it’s a powerful reminder of a world-famous actress with strong presence that has made memorable movies throughout her career which have earned a huge audience.
5/5 sars
The Film Buff 