It is easy to fall in love, but difficult to commit to a lifelong relationship. Beyond the night parties and walks into the sunset, when two lovers begin to live together in a house, the previously obscure truth of what it means to share one's life with somebody dawns. But, despite the hesitations and reluctance to commitment, it is love that eventually triumphs. This is what Siddharth Raj Anand's first movie Salaam Namaste is about.
The movie has a fresh story supported by excellent dialogues (Abbas Tyrewala) and commendable performances by Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta. On the sidelines, Arshad Warsi and Javed Jaffery pep up things further. The movie has romance, comedy, little fights between lovers, tender moments and the final expression of love.
At the first glance, Ambar (Preity Zinta) and Nick (Saif Ali Khan) don't look like the people who could get along together. But then, cupid works in mysterious ways.
She has come to Australia to study medicine and mostly to avoid her nagging parents who keep pestering her with possible suitors for marriage. In Melbourne, she works part time as a radio jockey for the radio station Salaam Namaste.
He is an architect whose creativity comes out not on the drawing board but in the culinary delights that he cooks in the restaurant Nick of Time in Melbourne. A chef by profession, Nick is an easy-come-easy-go guy who likes to party and live a life without commitments.
Nick, being Nick, fails to turn up for a scheduled interview with Salaam Namaste jockey Ambar simply because he oversleeps. So she decides to teach him a lesson in discipline and punctuality.
The two eventually encounter each other. What begins as a spat turns into a mutual liking after a night at a party.
Nick asks Ambar to move in with him, just to see how compatible they can be while living under the same roof. She agrees, and from then on begins the gradual realization that it is one thing to fall in love, but another to share one's life with someone.
There are funny moments, spats, flared tempers and tender expressions, all packed together in their day-to-day life in the same apartment. But then, things get complex after Ambar gets pregnant. How the two encounter this truth and take the ultimate decision that could either bring them together for life or drive them apart is what the remaining movie is about.
Siddharth Raj Anand makes a praiseworthy beginning of his career as a director. He handles various aspects of the story with flourish, doesn't stifle the proceedings with too many songs, evenly distributes funny and tender moments, and also gives a serious twist to the tale in the second half without making things overtly melodramatic and soppy.
Besides entertaining you, the movie can teach you a thing or two about relationships.
There is no denying that the movie would not have been the same without the incredible chemistry between Saif and Preity. Between the two, there is love, friction, regret and then again love with new doubts. The two have remarkable comfort level that is evident in the kisses they share with such ease.
Last seen in Parineeta, Saif proves his versatility as an actor with his portrayal of Nick. Preity is perfectly suited to the role of a vivacious, independent girl who takes a bold decision to give love a chance.
Arshad Warsi, as Saif's friend, and Javed Jaffery, as a nosey landlord wary of Indian tenants, are both efficient in providing the light moments.
The cinematography is first rate. The music (Vishal-Shekhar) is a bit of letdown. The title song, although very punchy and loud, doesn't have the melody that sets the foot shaking. 'My Dil Goes Mmmm' is a fine enough composition, while the song “Paune Barah Baje” could have been done away with.
All in all, Salaam Namaste provides paisa vasool entertainment. It has a story and look that will appeal to the youth. It has a frothy first half and an emotion-filled second half with the climax that warms the very cockles of your heart. And, as a bonus, there is a cameo by Abhishek Bachchan at the fag end.
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