Article Updated 03 October, 2003 11:48:49 PM IST   Baghban - Love’s Labour Lost! By Prema K ©2003 Bollyvista.com   ‘Baghban’ is Amitabh and Hema Malini’s love story. So a delight for all Amitabh and Hema fans! Need we add that the young, hip-hop generation had better stay away from this one! ‘Baghban’ is about the sacrifices that parents make in order to give their children a good life, only to be spurned by them in their old age. There is a feeling of déjà vu while watching the film. You have seen it all in a few old films. It is the story of Raj Malhotra [Amitabh Bachchan], his wife Pooja [Hema Malini] and their four sons [Aman Verma, Samir Soni, Sahil Chadda, Nasir]. Just like a gardener, Raj Malhotra is the 'baghban' (gardener) who plants a sapling and sees it blossoming into a tree, in the hope that he would be able to bask in its shade when he grows old. But equations change when Raj retires from his bank job. None of the four sons are ready to take their parents' responsibility. Instead they work out a strategy: The father would live with the eldest [Aman], the mother with the second son [Samir]. And after six months, they would move in with the third and fourth sons [Sahil, Nasir]. So Raj and Pooja, who love each other dearly, are separated in their old age. (We wonder why they have to go through this! Raj even refuses a two-year extension by the bank manager, as he would rather spend his post retirement days with his lovely wife). Raj and Pooja even sing a sad romantic number, 'Main Yahan Tu Wahan', to each other over a payphone, which makes the audience laugh, moreso considering we’re made to believe that Raj doesn’t have the money. Raj and Pooja have raised their sons with great love and care and made sure that they are well settled. But right from the first frame the focus is only on the undying love between Raj and his wife. They seem very content to just be with each other. There is hardly any display of emotion between the parents and the sons and their families. But the bond between Raj and his foster son, Alok (Salman Khan) is sufficiently developed. This glycerine drama is long and sluggish and the only relief comes in the form of Paresh Rawal. Finally there are a few laughs from the audience that has only been sniffing into their handkerchiefs till now. Fortunately, the film does not end with a typical family reunion. In fact, the climax is in the form of a lesson that will hopefully get today’s youngsters to suffer from guilt pangs! Salman Khan and Mahima Chaudhry are fairy tale characters, yet endearing and identifiable. Of the songs, 'Meri Makhna Meri Soniye', and 'Pehle Kabhi Na Mera Haal Aisa Hua' are melodious. Barun Mukherji’s cinematography is striking. Amitabh Bachchan delivers a splendid performance though he has the tendency to go a bit overboard at places. Yet from his generation, no one could have delivered more and better. Hema Malini looks elegant and conveys the pathos convincingly. Lilette Dubey is lovable, as is Divya Dutta. The rest of the supporting cast is far from impressive. On the whole, ‘Baghban’, despite an overdose of flaws and tears, might appeal mainly to the 35+. ** (TWO) *poor; **average; ***good; ****very good; *****excellent   close   Print this Article http://www.bollyvista.com   http://www.bollyvista.com/article/a/29/1060