By Shevaal Singh
Hi friends this week for the 100 years of Indian Cinema feature I have selected Maine Pyar Kiya (In English translates: I Fell in Love)
This is a film directed by Sooraj R. Barjatya, which starred Salman Khan and Bhagyashree that released on 29 December 1989. Maine Pyar Kiya was the biggest hit of 1989 and the biggest hit of the 1980s, which went on to receive an “All-time Blockbuster” status at the Box Office. This film marked the debut of the curent day superstar Salman Khan.
The Story
Karan and Kishan have been friends for years and they have grown apart and now have little in common. The widower Karan is a poor mechanic who lives in a humble house in the countryside. Kishan is a rich man with a vast business empire and little time for old friends. When Karan prepares to work abroad and earn more money, he turns to Kishan to solve a problem. Kishan lets Karan’s daughter Suman (Bhagyashree) stay at his house as he cannot turn down his old friend’s request and Suman comes to live with his family.She is befriended by Kishan’s son Prem (Salman Khan), who assures her that he has no romantic interest in her and that a boy and a girl can be platonic friends. The pair share outings and confidences and all seems to be going well.
Prem takes Suman to a party, organised by some of his rich friends. They humiliate Suman and accuse her of scheming to marry Prem. Suman leaves in tears and distances herself from Prem. This is when Prem realises that he has fallen in love with her. With the aid of his mother who likes the unassuming Suman and his comic friend Manohar, Prem sets out to win Suman’s heart. He succeeds but the problem now is that Kishan doesn’t accept this romance, as he does not want his son to marry a poor nobody. He prepares to send Suman home in disgrace. At this unfortunate moment, Karan returns from overseas. Kishan accuses him of plotting to match Prem and Suman. Karan and Kishan quarrel, and Karan and Suman return to their village humiliated. Prem refuses to accept the separation. He defies his father and is disinherited. He goes to Suman’s village and begs to be allowed to marry her. Karan, angered by Kishan’s accusations says that he will allow the marriage on one condition: Prem must prove that he can support his wife by his own efforts.
Prem then works as a truck driver and laborer in the nearby quarry. At the end of the month, when Prem is ready with the required money and comes to win over his lady’s father, he is ambushed by his enemies. They nearly succeed in killing him, but he survives. Karan harshly dismisses Prem’s efforts, but his stoic determination melts Karan’s heart, and he agrees to let Suman marry Prem. By the end of the movie, the estrangement between Karan and Kishan has ended, too.
Prem and Suman live happily ever after.
The Music
The soundtrack was very successful at the time and still loved by all Bollywood fans and lovers. Suman’s character was sung by the famous playback singer Lata Mangeshkar and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam sang for Prem. Folk singer Sharda Sinha has also sung in the film on “Kahe Toh Se Sajna”. The opening track, “Aate Jaate”, is a copy of Stevie Wonder’s 1984 single, “I Just Called to Say I Love You” while the whistling and humming interludes in “Aaya Mausam Dosti Ka” used the hook from Baltimora’s hit “Tarzan Boy”. “Mere Rang Mein Rangne Wali” was directly taken from Swedish rock band Europe’s 1986 single, “The Final Countdown” and theme from Love Story, “Where Do I Begin”. The track “Antakshri” was a medley of various Bollywood songs based on the Antakshari game which was popularised with this film’s release. The remaining tracks, including the popular “Dil Deewana”, were original compositions by Raamlaxman.
The Reign of Success
Filmfare Awards
The film won …
- Filmfare Award for Best Film – Sooraj Barjatya
- Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut – Salman Khan
- Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – Bhagyashree
- Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Raam Laxman
- Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – S. P. Balasubrahmanyam (“Dil Deewana”)
- Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Asad Bhopali (“Dil Deewana”)
The film was also nominated for …
- Filmfare Award for Best Director – Sooraj R. Barjatya
- Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Salman Khan
- Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Bhagyashree
- Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Reema Lagoo
- Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role – Laxmikant Berde
- Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Dev Kholi (“Aate Jaate Hanste Gaate”)
