18th June 2024 marks 25 years of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s hit movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. The love triangle between Sameer (Salman Khan), Nandini (Aishwariya Rai) and Vanraj (Ajay Devgn) had people in a chokehold back in the day. Not just that, HDDCS gave us some iconic songs like Tadap Tadap, Jhonka Hawa Ka, Chand Chhupa Badal Mein and more. So, this year, I decided to watch this movie to see what the hype was about. It’s been 25 years of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and I have some thoughts about the film.
P.S. If you’re a fan, you might not want to scroll further.
Nandini, do you know basic biology, girl?
Nandini is from a hardcore Gujju family who eats, sings, and breathes together all day. But she is also a well-read girl who speaks fluent English and seems educated enough. So, can someone please explain to me who put the idea of creating a baby in her head? The woman believes that if she kisses her lover, she will end up pregnant and that it is a sin. The movie is 25 years old; it isn’t ancient. So, the blatant ignorance of the concept of reproduction to make a sweet Gujju girl sound innocent and naive was honestly appalling. Girl, come on.
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, but where’s the consent, babe?
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a genius filmmaker whose approach to filmmaking has been appreciated for years. So naturally, when you see Vanraj falling in love with Nandini and declaring his intent to marry her without her knowledge, it seems a little delusional. But the worst part is that her parents are equally delulu and fix her rishta with a guy who she doesn’t even know exists. Then, that same guy tells her on the first night that they should take things slow and starts kissing her in the middle of her sleep. I mean, where’s the consent, babe?
Nandini accidentally hits Sameer, and that makes her unworthy of his love
Sameer is the cool Italian man who sings and dances around all day. He and Nandini have undeniable chemistry, and they always fool around. Sameer often unhooks Nandini’s blouses, pulls her hair ‘jokingly’, and playfully grabs her wrists, trying to win her. But when Nandini accidentally hits him once, the man storms off and declares her unworthy of his love. He ignores her for days even though he is responsible for the accident and then makes Nandini come and manao him. Quite a cool dude, I must say.
Vanraj takes Nandini to Italy to reunite the lovers; did anyone ask him to?
One thing fans love about Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is Vanraj’s ideal husband-behaviour. It’s been 25 years of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and no one has ever thought about this? What I would like to know is why any sane man would take his wife to Italy to reunite her with an ex-lover. The man is really killing the vibe and his marriage because maybe understanding what she wants or needs or giving her time to move on weren’t good ideas. I mean, what made him think reuniting his wife with her ex was a good idea?
Nandini’s parents force her to get married and then get mad when she isn’t happy about it
The desi parent behaviour peaked in this movie for me. After finding out that Nandini is in love with Sameer and wishes to marry him, her father throws Sameer out of their house. They then go on to fix her marriage with Vanraj, and even when she cuts her hands and looks full-on depressed, they get the two married. The worst part? When her mother visits her, she scolds her for not putting effort into her married life. Guts!
That’s the review of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam from a 2024 perspective, which makes you wonder a lot of things. But, be my guest and go on, keep loving your comfort movie without any hate towards me, cause IDC. Bye, love!
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