Relationships are the backbone of Indian cinema. It has constantly been love, family and then the rare tales of friendships ala Dil Chahta Hai. With a combination of several relationships, director Indra Kumar´s much talked about Rishtey has decided to stand up to the challenge this December 6th and release amongst the many other popular films scheduled to hit cinemas that day. The drama was previously in the news when Aishwarya Rai kindly excused herself from the film with Karisma Kapoor replacing her. 

Rishtey´s release date may perhaps  serve as an attestment of how much of a good film Rishtey may be or a very poor business move. However, Indra Kumar has the hits behind his name, Beta, Raja, Ishq, Dil, and is still considered a reputed director for box office success. The minute the promotions hit the screen, the talks of the old Indra Kumar (reformed from his last two duds Mann and Aashiq) being back had loomed large. Comparatively, its oppositions are of non-similar natures with Karz being a predominant action film, Kaante the same, Rishtey hopes to appeal to those looking for emotively packed reels, and as the director has put it, "an engaging story where emotions and entertainment meet each other half way".  This emotional saga sees him straying from complete commercial cinematics and concentrating on emotional content with a powerful cast to do so. The star cast is reliant on giving excellent performances, as each of them have last proven in Hathyar (Shilpa Shetty), Shakti (Karisma Kapoor) and Om Jai Jagadish (Anil Kapoor) - each one of them worthy of equivalent applaud.  

Maruti International, headed by producer Ashok Thakeria, teamed up with the director previously in Mann, Dil, Beta and Raja. And while Rishtey may be secluded from the magnamous large scale ventures, like those that it is challenging, Rishtey is indeed not a small venture. The film has mounted together a metaphoric set of not only lavishing sceneries but sublime messages. Cinematographer Baba Azmi has laced the film with a black and white theme to show the exact opposite of what relationships really are. 

The "Rishtey" in question has three dimensions. Suraj (Anil Kapoor), Karan (Master Jibraan), Komal (Karisma Kapoor) and Vyjanthi (Shilpa Shetty). Suraj and Komal, a violinist, were once a happily married couple. Their love was strongly bonded by the way they complimented each other. That happy life produced their son Karan. Komal, a feeble yet wise woman has been forced to leave her husband and son thanks to unforeseen dire occurrences. 

While Karan and Suraj live sadly attempting a life together without their missing piece of their puzzle, Komal quietly plays her violin, distraught and torn hoping one day she will be able to back with the essentials in her life.

The circumstances that have separated this family are a mystery, and the one person who can unite them is equally a daze. That woman is Vyjanthi (Shilpa Shetty), who amongst the tears of Karan and Suraj and the solemnest of the depressed Komal, brings a smile, brings dances to their lives.   

Rishtey serves to bring this tale to light, a tale which comprises the story of a convoluted relationship, the people who have broken it and those that can bring it back together.