Search - Yash Chopra's Mohabbatein- 2DISC SET on DVD

Love stories

J Ruigrok vd Werven | Netherlands | 07/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mohabbatein, or 'Love stories' as translated, is a movie which interweaves 5 (or 6 depending on how you look at it) stories of life and love.

At one point you have Sharukh Khan and his love for his deceased lover Aishwarya Rai. At the other point there is the love of the father Amitabh Bachchan for his deceased daughter Aishwarya Rai. Sharukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, however, are opposites in the world of life and love. One being more carefree, the other more strict.

Next to this there are the three totally different love stories of the three young students under Sharukh Khan's tutelage (which is kind of reminding of The Dead Poets Society) who are challenged, by Sharukh Khan, to persue their loves. In order to reach them they have to overcome certain typical problems in life: being a best friend, being interested in a widow held by her vows, and being interested in the snidey/overconfident type.

There is also the love story of two persons in the movie who serve as comic relief.

This movie will appeal to anyone who loves a good story concerning life and love, highly touching and inspiring. Especially the scenes with Holika Dahan (or the Holi festival however you wish to name it) are very wonderful. The entire movie is supported by one of the best musical scores in the entire Bollywood genre."

Risking all for Love

G. Jennings | Outside | 03/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was honestly very impressed with the story. The film is 3.5 hours long which might have put off some of the viewers.

At the heart of this story is the battle of fear versus love and centers around 4 young men (3 students and one former student) whose lives intertwined and were affected at India's most prestigious mens college, Gurukul. For 25 years, headmaster Narayan Shankar, ran his college with strict protocol based in Gurukul's unshakeable pillars of tradition, honor, and discipline. Should any student tarnish Gurukul's impeccable reputation by breaking any of its rules, he would be immediately expelled from the school, in turn affording him no opportunity to enter any other university or receive employment.

Along comes Mr. Raj Aryan, the one known student in Gurukul to have been expelled because of his love for the headmaster's daughter. The manner of his dismissal was so abrupt that the headmaster expelled Raj without even having met him, an action which prompted the distraught daughter to take her own life. Raj is back to teach the headmaster a lesson and is determined to change the ways of Gurukul forever. Thus the battle of fear versus love begins. Taking cues from their teacher, our three young students are inspired to take risks in love and life.

The songs and dance were colorful and beautiful, and the movie is well editted when brining Aishwarya Rai's spirit character into the storyline. Love it. Must be seen."

3 1/2 stars, needed better editing/cohesion, but good flick

Mir | North Miami Beach, FL USA | 07/21/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm relatively new to Bollywood flicks. This one was, maybe, the fifth one I saw. I wanted to see it because it had Aishwarya Rai (yes, I'm a big fan of hers) and because I find Mr. Sharukh Khan watchable: He's got something, some "it" factor, even if he's not the best actor you'll come across. The surprise for me was the older gentleman. I found he had great charisma, Mr. Amitab Bachan--tall, distinguished looking, that terrifically deep voice. It was interesting to see the younger, more physical Mr. Khan in his confrontations with the elegant Mr. Bachan.

Basically, this is a story of four loves--three current, one past. The teacher of a renowned school has very strict rules. He's an unyielding man, strict and humorless. To his school come three young men who become pals and one man to join the faculty as a music teacher. Through the interaction of the Older School Head and the music teacher, we learn of the old love story and see how confrontation and mercy can bring about a salutatory change in even the hardest of hearts. Through the interaction of the music teacher and the three students, we see how a teacher can influence his pupils. Through the love stories, we see how difficulties cannot stamp out true love. Eventually, even a past tragedy is redeemed in the present, and wounded hearts heal.

The film is worth buying just for the Holi festival musical/dance number. It's just fabulous--the white clothing, the tinted powders that are strewn and begin to color every participant. The joyfulness and emotion. A terrific Bollywood number.

My favorite of the "young" love stories was the one with the widow, very moving. My least favorite was the one with the "hip athletic" couple. Kinda annoying. The "middling" one had a very immature heroine who, although "quite cute" according to my husband, was not the brightest bulb in the box. Then again, these ARE young folks, so my expectations may be too high.

As usual, Bollywood flicks offer good-looking actors, nifty costumes, and good music. I think anyone who can let themselves go from Western/Hollywood expectations of what is good editing/acting can enjoy the delights of this film. I"m not Indian,and I did.

Mir"

Mohabbatein

Galina | 10/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have watched many Indian movies, but this is one of my favorite! It is totally worth it!"