Producer: Tips Films
Director: Deepak Sareen
*ing: Salman Khan, Twinkle Khanna, Anupam Kher, Johny Lever, Aditya Narayan, Farida Jalal, Himani Shivpuri, Saeed Jaffrey and Special Appearance by Namrata Shirodkar
Music: Jatin Lalit

Released on : May 22, 1998

Reviewed by: Mohammad Ali Ikram
ali@indolink.com

out of 

Has anyone ever told you the story of how love tames the wildest of oats?  Well, for those of you uninitiated to this concept comes a fun, entertaining and even educational tale in the form of Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (JPKHH).  With the directorial talent of Deepak Sareen, who last brought us Aaina (1993), Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai moves in a positive direction from the mundane rut of the typical love stories.

The movie propels itself beyond the singular theme of reformation, and touches on the topic of how one's past deeds often catch up with us.  To grow as human beings, we must learn to live with our past and take a pragmatic approach to life.  Quite an ambitious endeavour for a Hindi film, and frankly, very successful.  Suraj (Salman Khan), a parentless child is raised too liberally by his grandfather (Anupam Kher), and grows up to be a guy who does not care for the lives of the women he uses.  Only when he sees the woman of his dreams (Twinkle Khanna), does he make efforts to improve himself. 

1998 may well be the year for Salman Khan.  He has already given a super hit in the form of an absolutely juvenile, crass, plagiarized and idiotic (not enough space for the negative adjectives) Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya.  Add to that a role in JPKHH, which not since Khamoshi, allows him to grow and mature as an actor.  Good job, sir.  Twinkle Khanna too stuns with a restrained and endearing performance, which proves she is capable of giving us characters that aren't always loud-mouthed and bratty.   

Of the huge multi-star supporting cast, two players shine luminously.  Anupam Kher has not been this pleasurable to watch since Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.   Johny Lever, as Mahesh, the hero's pill-popping friend, scores his first home run since his Filmfare award for Deewana Mastana. 

Quick note must be made of Namrata Shirodkar (Shipa's elder sister), a vivacious new entrant to the world of Hindi films.  Her abbreviated, but credible performance has one pandering for the likes of her future releases Pukaar and Albela. 

Manmohan Singh gives a novel, beautiful treatment to the film's songs and other visuals.  Rarely is he this inspired except for a Yashraj film.  Most of the songs (especially "Chal Pyaar Karegi") are also well choreographed by Farha Khan and Raju Sundaram.

For an ex-Yash Chopra assistant, Deepak Sareen has done his mentor proud.  We hope he continues to treat interesting themes in his future films, for inspite of his films' "commerciality", it is their real-life applicability which makes them praise-worthy.  Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai: bettering oneself through sacrifice and change, that is what love is all about.

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