Tera Mera Saath Rahen   Producer: N.R. Pachisia Director: Mahesh Manjrekar Starring: Ajay Devgan, Master Dushyant Eagh, Sonali Bendre, Namrata Shirodkar, Prem Chopra, Reema Lagoo, Shivaji Satyam Music: Anand Raj Anand Lyrics: Sameer Genre: Drama Recommended Audience: General Approximate Running Time: 3 hrs Film Released on: 16 November 2001 Reviewed by: Rakesh Budhu  - Rating: 8.0 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review

You can rest assure that Manjrekar has not lost his touch for unique-ness, sensitivity, or making a good film. Manjrekar has accomplished something with Tera Mera Saath Rahen, he has continued his trend, and whether or not this film is as good as his previous ones, an unfair comparison that we all make, is a pointless proposition. The film is good enough. This Diwali a variety of films release, and in an abstract view, they all fall in different genres. TMSR is a sensitive drama interspersed with the characteristics of a manchr('8217')s life, much unlike the other releases, Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar, Deewaanapan and the odd thriller

Abhay.

If you ponder the question that Manjrekar has left with us, youchr('8217')ll be sure to enjoy the film that he has offered us. chr('8220')Being handicapped is a dependency or dependency itself is a handicap?chr('8221') You may already figure out the irony in this question, that irony is presented in Tera Mera Saath Rahen.

chr('8220')Haathon Ki Lakeeronchr('8221'), the first of the four versions of the title song opens up the drama and off the bat youchr('8217')re left with something that will linger in your mind through the movie. Raj Dixit (Ajay Devgan) is a respectable average man who lives with his younger brother Rahul (Master Dushyant Eagh). Youchr('8217')re quickly faced with the obstacle in Rahulchr('8217')s life, however, as we would come to believe, it is not Rahulchr('8217')s handicap, Cerebral Palsy, but his imperative need for Raj. His dependency is like a flower without sunlight, without it he would simply whither away. When the normal youngsterchr('8217')s activities are for Rahul impossible without Raj, we come to see that their bond is improbably one of the closest in human kind. One can imagine that Raj is quite the solemn character with as humane a persona as anyone would think. That being quite obvious, Mr. Khanna (Prem Chopra) takes advantage of his quiescent personality and asks him to marry his niece, Madhuri (Sonali Bendre). It doesnchr('8217')t take long before Raj accepts the offer and develops a relationship with Madhuri. However amidst chr('8220')Pehli Nazarchr('8221') and chr('8220')Tadapati Hai, Tarsati Haichr('8221'), two romantically well-pictured numbers, a dilemma is quite evident. Raj explains to Madhuri that their relationship has little room for growth, as lovers anyways. After all if the sun started shining other places what would happen to the plants? Raj tries to present this to a reluctant Madhuri who later offers to send Rahul off to a school where his needs and dependency could be well suited. Naturally, when people share the bonds that these two do, that offer alone is a ludicrous thought. However with thought he decides he would try it out. We then come to see who is actually the dependent one here, and who is the handicap. We are already aware that therechr('8217')s more to the story, that angle is Suman (Namrata Shirodkar). Suman and her parents are neighbors to Raj, somewhat of surrogate parents to Raj at times. Suman is the fourth angle of the quadrangle, and aside from Rahul, is the most interesting.

For those accusing Manjrekar of too much chr('8220')commercialismchr('8221') in the film, the question is, how can there not be? This is a simple plot, but further more, much, much realistic than the romantic films we see day in day out. If a Karan Arjun can become a blockbuster, there is no reason why TMSR shouldnchr('8217')t. Manjrekar may have thrown in the song and dance interludes, but withholding the mediocre tunes, the areas that matter are definite up to par and at points applaud worthy. The script has been thought out enough to help the film along its way without having the audience dwell too much on Rahulchr('8217')s handicap or the romance between Madhuri and Raj. Sumanchr('8217')s comedic angles are not overdone at times and while not so much rib tickling, they donchr('8217')t ruin the film. Importantly enough, the ending of the film contributes to the feel good film. Unlike his past films, you want a positive ending to the film; I donchr('8217')t see it happening any other way.

The other aspects of the film, like Vijay Arorachr('8217')s cinematography are just there for solely entertainment purposes. The songs come and go; much like they do in your head, and the cinematography simply fits the bill without going to extremes. The only meaningful track, the title one, is the only one you will remember after the film is done, though it would be quite safe to say that Manjrekarchr('8217')s soundtracks are never hot and one can salvage this one for what it is worth. The setting of the film is what stood out more than anything else and it is probably that that you will remember after the film is over. The pace of the film is normal. Saying that the film could be trimmed would be unfair since many of the Bollywood films releasing lately could be trimmed as well (Itchr('8217')s the case of the opposite, when a film is perfect, itchr('8217')s perfect).

In meaningful roles Devgan surely shows us why he has earned the tile of an actor. Youchr('8217')d be thankful hechr('8217')s not a thief in this one, youchr('8217')d be even more thankful that after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam he has given a superlative performance ranked undoubtedly amongst his best. Sadly enough, for those that said Sonalichr('8217')s entire role was short, it is. You probably forget after seeing her visual appeal and her decent job with what shechr('8217')s given, yet, itchr('8217')s quite sad that it is Namrata Shirodkar, who is somewhat of the underdog in the film (in every aspect, as the third angle and as an actress) who takes her small role and runs with it. Her facial expressions and emotive tones have proven a standout in the film and her looks too are also quite enticing, especially in chr('8220')Haq Jata Dechr('8221'). Needless to say, the one you feel for the most is Master Dushyant Eagh. There is absolutely no way that you canchr('8217')t step into his shoes and feel his yearning for love. Almost every aspect of his performance is true to form. Shivaji Satyam and Reema Lagoo whom have worked with Manjrekar in the past have put their talents to use with Shivaji Satyamchr('8217')s performance in certain scenes standing out more.

For viewing purposes this Diwali, Tera Mera Saath Rahen is the pick of the lot. With four releases of somewhat different genres this humane drama has all it takes to make you laugh, cry, and come out feeling happy with a moral and learning experience involved. In reality, that is all we want.