Review of Hum Tum (2004) by Gabriella S — 16 Nov 2018

The film Hum Tum tells the story of two quintessential Bollywood star crossed lovers, that are fated to be together, yet are constantly being torn apart from one another. It is the contains the perfect balance between sweet melodrama, and exciting plot lines that keep the viewer sucked in and waiting for more. It follows the lives of Karan (Saif Ali Khan) and Rhea (Rani Mukerji), who meet on their long voyage to study at universities in New York City. Rhea and Karan are constantly chasing each other's company, both unintentionally and, at times, intentionally. They challenge the conventions of love and marriage that have been established in many preceding Bollywood films, through several of their interactions throughout the film. As Rosie Thomas explains in "Melodrama and the Negotiation of Morality in Mainstream Hindi Film, "... films - including texts such as film-star gossip - are an important locus for the ongoing negotiation and transformation of a sense of 'modern' Indian traditionalism." The challenges against traditional marriage and love found in Hum Tum not only allow for the viewer to have a sense of escape from what is usually seen while watching the film, but also transforms the expectations associated with love and marriage in Bollywood.

Much like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, this Yash Raj film perfectly blended real-world experiences with Bollywood drama to make a love story that is hard to forget. If you enjoyed the suspense of lovers finding each other, as well as a bit of family drama found in DDLJ, you will not be able to leave your seat while Hum Tum. Karan and Rhea are a bit more mature than Raj and Simran, but are still equally as playful and fun, and have just as many, if not more, laughable moments than DDLJ's main characters.

I strongly recommend this film, as it was not only easy to watch and follow along, but it also includes realistic elements of hardship and love. It is such a feel-good movie and proposes the idea that not all Bollywood love stories have to follow the same formula. If you like leaving a movie with the feeling that everything is right in the world, then this movie is for you!