Review of Mohabbatein

Introduction

Narayan Shankar is the principle of one of India`s most prestigious boarding university, known as Gurukul. There, all students must remember three things; disciple, tradition and responsibility and for Narayan Shankar love is not part of that as he believes it to be a weakness which only ends in tears. This belief was the result of the death of his daughter Megha (Aishwarya Rai) who committed suicide after her father didn`t allow her to continuing her love with one of his students who had broken Gurukul rules. Narayan Shankar dismissed the student without seeing him and the pain which Megha went through caused her death. Believing that her death would make her father a softer man, it backfires and Narayan Shankar belief in love as a human weakness grows stronger.

With the new semester comes three young students; Vicky (Uday Chopra), Sameer (Jugal Hansraj) & Karan (Jimmy Shergill), and their encounter with three women causes them to fall in love. But having heard the story of Narayan Shankar and his daughter all haven`t the power to face, or fight against the strong regulations and beliefs of Narayan Shankar. But in their prayer comes an answer......Raj Aryan (Shahrukh Khan).....a new music teacher who only believes in one thing.....love.

How the two different ideologies of Narayan Shankar and of Raj Aryan clashes, against the backdrop of three love stories, forms the crux of the movie.

The second anamorphic title from Yash Raj films, this DVD has taken me a while to examine, and the end result is somewhat mixed from my point of view.

Video

The DVD is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.40:1 which presents us with the original vision of the director, and cinematographer, which was seen on the big screen. The anamorphic process helps improves the picture quality for widescreen (16x9) television users, but not as much as I hoped for.

The 35mm print negative source used appears to be in fair condition. I say fair as some blemishes like small white dots appear randomly during some moments of viewing. While not distracting it seems odd that problems like this occurs on a recent film such as this. No other blemishes could be seen other then that. The DVD had light moments of pixilation due to the low average bit rate used. But this is once again related to the length of the film which was (strangely) stored on one disc. For a film of that length, with the additional subtitles, I would have thought storing the film on two DVD disc`s (one for each half of the film) would have help the bit rate increase further which would mean better picture quality.

Yash Raj could have done a similar DVD like Lawrence of Arabia by Columbia Tristar. That DVD was a two disc set with the first half of the film with some supplements on disc one, and the second half with some more supplements on the second disc. That way all features, including the film, fitted on two discs and picture quality would be much higher as the bit rate could be more increased. Even better would have been a DVD-18 disc for the film and a usual DVD-9 disc for the supplements!

Film grain was non apparent but problems like moiré effects and shimmering was noted at some moments on the DVD. However they are not as bad as pervious Yash Raj DVD`s which shows signs of improvement in authoring. But the one negative factor on this disc was the sharpness level which was very low on this disc and problems of softness affected viewing quite drastically as picture information was blurry and distorted many details.

The colour fidelity is presented at times with vibrancy and with bold details but there are moments of weakness, with the odd red brown hues appearing and affecting the overall colour saturation. Examples can be seen in chapters 10, 13 and 16. The saturation hardly presented any colour bleeding problems but lack of definition is detected most notably during the chapter 30. I say this as the song in this chapter had some wonderful colours on the big screen which lacks on this disc.

Because of the lack of definition on colour the same problem can be detected on the black details which affects viewing slightly as the darker scenes in the film are harder to view. Thankful the contrast levels aren`t as bad. Clearly the telecine transfer for this film was not done properly which has affected many aspects of the framed image.

Audio

While the visual aspect are somewhat lacking, the Dolby Digital 5.1 sound is simply groundbreaking. Without any sound problems, the soundtrack provides viewers with great 360 degree soundfield moments which doesn`t shy away from all use of speakers and LFE channel action. The DVD sound transfer is even better then the cinematic recording heard on the big screen. Dialogues are clear and warm, and Amitabh Bachchan powerful voice is well justified on this DVD as heard in chapter three in his first dialogue scene. With lots of acoustics and orchestrated music tracks, the 5.1 sound also contribute to the overall effect which is best described as a excellent solid mix.

Features

Also on this DVD comes a second disc which hosts much special features which are both interesting and informative. But at the same time not as spectacular as one hopes for considering the amount of interesting things which could have been done to make this a really special disc. Still from what Yash Raj has given to us, in the form of special features, this is perhaps one of the best to come on to the Indian DVD market. The following features are founded on this disc;

The Making Of Feature (44mins):-
This is a decent feature which provides audiences a look behind the scenes on the making of the film, yet it felt more like an electronic press kit issued to sell the film for box office tickets. Interviews conduced are not as evolving as one would find in a proper making of documentary, like on the DEI`s Hum Saath Saath Hain DVD or even the Fox DVD of Cleopatra. Still I did find this entertaining as it showed some of the hard tasks the cast and crew had to go through in order for this film to be completed. This is presented in a good picture and sound quality in the form of a non anamorphic picture ratio of 2.35:1 and 2ch stereo sound. Navigation is also made more easier with 6 additional chapter marks.

Interviews With Cast And Crew:-
This is the weakest part of the DVD. The cast; Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Shah Rukh Khan and Producer Yash Chopra is interviewed in four different segments. The interviewer, Kunal Kohli (who is directing the next Yash Raj film) is very vague and fails to asks the questions ordinary viewers would. Instead he asks basic questions we already know the answer too from the making of feature, and doesn`t become critical in his analysis, only what the cast and crew want to hear! Still the interviews are once again entertaining, but not as informative as the making of feature. Also why wasn`t the director interviewed? The non anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen picture is quite soft and the mono sound is not as clear and at times is somewhat muddled, especially during the Yash Chopra interview.

T.V. Promos:- (9mins)
With ten wonderfully produced television promos to promote the film, soundtrack and dialogues they are listed as the following;

Teaser 1
Teaser 2
Humko Humise
Chalte Chalte
Aankhein Khuli
Teaser (Aishwarya Rai)
Humko Humise (Aishwarya Rai)
Duniya Mein Kitini Hain
Dialogues Promo -1
Dialogues Promo -2

All in excellent non anamorphic 2.35:1 widescreen quality, and clear mono sound.


Theatrical Trailer:- (3mins 20secs)
A nice feature which was used to promote the film on cinemas. In an anamorphic 2.25:1 aspect ratio with stereo sound in overall visual and audio decent quality.

Stills Gallery:-
This is divided into four sub categories, and is a welcome feature which shows the amount of work going into the making and promoting of an Indian film;

Posters (1min) - This showed what sort of promotional stills and lobby cards was used to promote the film.
Movie Stills (3mins) - This showed pictures taken while shooting was done.
Working Stills (40secs) - This showed pictures that was taken of production work.
Portraits (1min) - This showed research in costume and background design on characters.
Icons (1min 30secs) - This showed the iconography used for all aspects of promoting the film.

Deleted Scenes:-
Included on this DVD are eight deleted scenes which also (for the first time on an Indian DVD disc) has an optional commentary by the director. This feature is the best available on this disc as the scenes are unique in their own right, and the commentary provides reasons why the director made his cut, which he is completely opened about. The deleted scenes are listed as the following;

Raj`s first meeting with the boys (1min 25secs)
Vicky`s disastrous date (2mins 52secs)
Raj talks about Megha (1min 32secs)
A rainy night (52secs)
Friends are important (4mins 57secs)
Two stubborn men and an umbrella (49secs)
The boys give up (1min 42secs)
Chalte chalte - female version (3mins 2secs)

All scenes are in good condition and are presented in a non anamorphic 2.35:1 aspect ratio and in mono sound.

Other additional extras founded on disc one includes the wonderful and simple menu designs which are thematic. Also the additional five subtitles (English, French, Spanish, Malaysian and Arabic) translate the film rather well. I like the sleeve design, the inclusion of five postcards designs and a useful bookmark in the form of a leaf with the cast and crew signature. All these tidbit supplements added more value to the overall product.

Conclusion

Who can ever forget the wonderful romantic film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) directed by the then newcomer Aditya Chopra, son of the excellent Indian director Yash Chopra. The film was quite in contrast to the films from the Yash Raj library but had the same magic, and quality. Also widely known as DDLJ, the film contributed to the rise of Indian films in the 1990`s on the big screen not just in India but also in with audiences around the world particularly in UK and USA, and recently the film went down with tremendous success in Japan.

Aditya Chopra`s second film Mohabbatein (2000) comes five years after his debut film, and also leaves a impressive mark with high box office records around the world, and many audiences loving this film so much that it gained much repeated viewing on the big screen. Many critics and some Indian film purists have compared this movie to DDLJ, which was a mistake as both films are totally different in tone, style and most importantly in plot. Mohabbatein achieves what many present films fail to achieve; entertaining all audiences with a love story filled music, comedy, drama and romance - in other words meeting with family audience expectations.

The film also is rather clever and very ingenious when linking love with nature incorporating into both dialogues, which is wonderfully written by Aditya Chopra, and into visuals, which is captured on wide canvas by Manmohan Singh. The semiologies of autumn leaves, of rain, of wind and of mist displays the mythological sense of what romance is in Indian films. It was nice to view this as it hasn`t been seen upon for sometime since the rise of the glossy, glamorous, primary coloured worlds in many present Hindi films to symbolize westernization - which is quite poor and inaccurately bias. But some scenes in this film also vaguely present moments like this and is rather off putting. But they rarely cause a distraction which is why it is more easy to forgive.

The narrative structure is very liner, and very well handled considering the amount of plot details of not just the main characters battling their wits and beliefs, but to also incorporated three love story in the midst of it without diverting or boring us is in itself an achievement in film making. But the three love stories aren`t as interesting as one hopes for as they play too simple within the conventions of Hindi cinema, making them unbelievable and predictable. Yet they were both amusing and interesting to view. The narrative is similar to Yash Chopra`s classics Kabhie Kabhie (1975) and Watq (1969) which also dealt with multi storylines all contrived into a main plot. Many audiences will take a shine to the love stories as it brings back the magic of Hindi cinema, with much escapism and romanticism.

But for me the magic of the film was in the performance of Amitabh Bachchan whose monotonous dialogue delivery as the strict principal is simply amazing. The opening university speech shows the talent that the actor has wonderfully prescribe to his character. Not only does the scene establishes the character, but it also establishes the mood, tone and what to expect from the rest of the film. The actor is perfect in every scene he is in, and still has the screen presence he did so during his reign at the box office in the 1970`s - 1980`s. This film ranks as one of his best performance, since the underestimated films Soorayavansham (2000) and Main Azaad Hoon (1989).

Shahrukh Khan also proved to be just as equally mesmerizing as the music teacher Raj Aryan. With subtle wit and dream like persona, his character contrasts well with the main character Narayan Shankar. To see the two bounce off their own individually persona is the highlight of this film as it has many emotions reactions from laughter to tears. Both these characters will be memorable in the many years to come as will their touching dialogues.

The supporting cast of Uday Chopra (younger son of Yash Chopra), Jugal Hansraj (Papa Kethe Hain, Gudgudee) and of Jimmy Shergill (Jahan Tum Le Chalo) also doesn`t go in vain as each have their own individually identity which makes their character more interesting then their love story. I did however feel some moments of weakness in the description of their female counterparts played by newcomers Shamita Shetty (younger sister of actor Shilpa Shetty), Kim Sharma, and Preeti Jhangiani (Rajshri`s album `Yeh Hai Prem` fame). I guess the director is not a woman`s director, as the similar problems was detected in DDLJ. The characters seem more one dimensional as not a lot is learnt from them. I guess the time factor was already limiting the director`s vision which is why they are more simplified and not as elaborated as their male counterpart. Performances from all were decent enough but nothing too special to write about; other then they do the job of entertaining us.

The brief appearance of Aishwarya Rai is welcomed has her character is both complex and more understood. The actor touches the screen with her unique performance. Also the comedy plot between Anupam Kher and Archana Puran Singh is quite humorous and relief`s the audience for a few minutes before plundering us back to the main narrative.

Technical values were very handed, but not as brilliant as I hoped for as some inconsistencies in art direction and in editing were spotted which jarred senses. But these were not as often as detected in similar and current Hindi films. Music score and background score helped in the narrative of the film and will go down well not only with film audiences but with soundtrack sales too! Other areas like costume designs, dance direction, audiography, lyrics and cinematography all shine in their own respected right.

Overall the film is both entertaining and interesting. It shows us great performances, wonderful moments of dialogues and of visuality and never bores the audiences despite the long running tie of three and a half hours. A welcome asset to the Yash Raj Banner!

While this DVD is one of the best to come from the Yash Raj Home Entertainment label, when compared to other Indian DVD`s in terms of the main feature picture quality it fails to make its mark. Put this disc side to side with Ayngaran international`s Dheena (2001) or with DEI`s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), and you will see the clear difference in picture quality. Still the DVD will please many fans but not many DVD purists.