Vivaah - The Story Of An Arranged Marriage
This Shahid Kapoor- Amrita Rao Starrer Is Both Archaic And Modern
For a long time, nothing really happens in the movie Vivaah.
Love, Commitment, in an Arranged Marriage.
Prem (Shahid Kapoor) is the younger son of a rich big city businessman (Anupam Kher) and his father is on the lookout for a suitable bride for his son.
The family travels to Madhupur to meet Poonam (Amrita Rao), an orphan brought up by her doting uncle (Alok Nath), a modest fruit seller. Poonam is fair and beautiful, attributes that are enthusiastically recommended by a matchmaker, to Prem's rich and influential family.
Prem and Poonam meet for the first time, and despite disparate backgrounds, get along very well. The match is approved by both families. Everything goes according to plan, except for a last moment hitch when Poonam rushes into a burning house to rescue Choti and burns herself badly. Poonam's uncle is afraid that her marriage prospects are jeopardised. But her fiance Prem and his family insist that they will go ahead, and arrange for a top surgeon to operate on their soon-to-be daughter-in-law.
Vivaah Is Reminiscent Of A Jane Austen Novel
The story moves along at a languid pace as the director takes his own time to establish the setting. The first few reels consist of scenes from everyday life in a middle class household based in a small village. What holds the viewer's interest is the director's sensitive treatment of the hidden dynamics of an arranged marriage, and the complex family issues associated with a rich-poor alliance. At times one wonders whether such a social structure still exists.
The movie has no big stars, and no real plot. The only moment that causes the hearbeat to flutter is the heroine rushing into a burning house. The script allows little scope for the actors to display any histrionic skills, and relies instead on some effective dialogue that are well articulated by the cast. The songs are mostly situational and play in the background. This is one film where the supporting cast of Anupam Kher and Alok Nath are given as much footage as the lead pair. Shahid and Amrita look like the match was made in heaven.
Ultimately, the slow but steady relationship that develops between two complete strangers transforms this archaic rich boy meets poor girl tale.
Released in: 2006 Directed by: Sooraj Barjatya
Run time: 132 mins
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao, Alok Nath, Anupam Kher
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