Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (Match Made By God), 167 min 2008, Yash Raj Films
If you enjoyed Sharon Maguire’s, “Bridget Jones Diary”, you will love this Hindi movie. With less melodrama and fantasy that Bollywood is known to offer, this film gives the allegiance to blind faith in the true self. The story is so charming with its mixture of insouciance, wit and candor that it’s enough to restore a belief in fairy tale endings to the most embittered casualty of modern life–modern marriage. This film is full of wisdom and hope especially for Generation X who are buckled up to ride on the fast lane of urban dating.
The story is about a man’s journey to save his marriage, as it’s tearing at the seams. Arranged marriage by her dying father, his young wife Taani, played by new comer 20-year old Anushka Sharma, reveals to him that she has no love to give, even before the honeymoon begins. Here is the usual love story with unusual dilemma; a loveless marriage. Believe me, there is no money, no glitter, and no glamour either. So, how in God’s name does a man make his woman love him, SLOWLY, SLOWLY! This is where the story gets interesting. Rather than submerging himself in alcohol or therapy, Surinder “Suri” Sahni, played cleverly by Shahrukh Khan, decides to seduce his wife by becoming “the ideal lover”, straight out of Robert Green’s best seller “Seduction”. He transforms himself into a hip flirtatious, flamboyant carefree Raj to win her love.
Don’t expect Suri to be Casanova, however. Rather, his seduction process is pure, unblemished and almost spiritual. I have to admit, to bring this rather boring, meek character to life must have been a challenge for director Aditya Chopra. Who could have imagined that Shahrukh Khan would be so perfect? Adopting an impeccable look of a geek who can’t seem to “lit up his own life” let alone his energetic wife’s, he plays the role of Suri with so much sensitivity and dignity, and you fall in love with Suri. Shahrukh brings integrity with childlike stubbornness, innocence, and tenderness melting your heart like ice cream in a New York Summer. Shahrukh’s double role of Raj is impeccable allowing Suri to enter into Taani’s life in the guise of Raj—the skintight shirt, ripped jeans, spiked hair with ample of tackiness and brassiness — to win Taani’s affection. Aditya accomplishes a miracle of making Suri entirely endearing, utterly real and acceptable while the aloof, slick and hypnotizing Raj becomes attractive even alluring to a woman with broken dreams. Sharukh’s performance of Suri is deeply sentimental and natural one barely senses the work that must have gone into it. Throughout the film I ardently rooted for Suri to succeed and prayed that the two will end together. This film is a delight to watch giving a whole new meaning to Billy Joel’s song, ”I love you just the way you are”, although I would have suggested a film title to be “Against All Odds”. If you want a more spiritual title, Match Made in Heaven definitely works.
What makes this film more relevant to Generation X is that we can all relate to Taani. How many dates have we been without seeing an end in sight? How many of us have lost the faith in loving, completely disenchanted with this entire concept of love? Taani summarized it well, “I can’t see love in anyone”, she says. It is not that love does not exist, but we are so caught up at the moment, we no longer recognize it.
In the world of disenchantment, there is limitless opportunity for hypnotizing Raj to enter our lives and they usually do. We can recall a Raj in our lives, who not only helps us escape from our broken dreams but also awakens our dormant and battered hearts and gives us purpose and hope. And, if you are the lucky one like Taani, it is your spouse who will cultivate the pleasures of your senses with patience, indulgence and subtlety.
Let me warn you, this film is particularly challenging for the Generation X where everything must happen in a New York minute. Suri’s courage and commitment might be unthinkable in a multiple-choice culture with the next choice a click away. “The best choice without commitment” advertizes an online dating site, offering you a countless options. The only scarifies we as a nation are willing to make is giving up carbs to get that washboard abs. The nobility of scarifies, working through discomfort is hardly welcomed. This movie is even harder for those who subscribe to “Sex and the City” or Sherry Argov’s, “Why Men Love Bitches”; it offers a radically different perspective to love and marriage. The next time you are in a bar in Tribeca with your match.com or Shaadi.com date, wondering if this would be the man/woman whom you will be spending the rest of your life with or just tonight, remember Haule Haule! It is truly inspirational.
Memorable scene. The magnificent Golden Temple in Amritsar, as Taani and Suri spend a day for a prayer and reflection. Known as Harmandir Sahib, it is one of the most significant place of worship of Sikhs. Constructed on a land donated by the Mughal emperor Akbar, the temple was completed in 1601 and was embellished in the early 19th century with 100 kilograms of gold as well as decorative marble. The next time you visit India, take a day trip to the state of Punjab and visit the Temple of God. It is known to be a sanctuary for retreat, meditation and prayer irrespective of your religion. The building itself attracts tourists for its historical and architectural value, as well as a spiritual meaning even among non-believers.
Favorite Scene. Day trip of Taani and Raj for his birthday where Raj sings Roop Kumar Rathod’s song, “Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai“, telling her, “In you I see God, what should I do”. This is the most heart-felting moment.
Soundtrack. If you are looking for soul mate, take a lesson from Haule Haule. The song is as deep and as melodic as the theme itself. I think is one of the rare Hindi films where the songs are so suitable, poetic, relevant and so powerful that it carries all the meaning of the movie. The Lyric is as pure, as selfless and tender as the character Suri himself. So, by all means listen to the lyrics (or if you are like me read the translation). If you are lovers for the first time, or rekindling it, let this song be your guide. Let your journey be slow, filled with shyness and discovery, wondering from each experience and aching for what comes next.
By far the most inspiring love song, Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai is the melodic expression for the “beloved”, depicting Suri’s profound feeling. The more I hear it, the more I long for it. The poetry of this song breaks even the stoniest hearts; it is so spiritual that there is no preparation for the unpredictable and chaotic longing you will feel after you hear this song. In the way, it yanks your heart leaving you in the fierceness of ache. It is beautifully painful to feel the ache of his longing for this woman, be Suri in Raj or vice versa. “In you I see God, what should I do”, he says to her. This is a song that epitomizes Suri’s love disguised as Raj with commitment and devotion. For the next Valentine, send her this song that is if you have the courage.
Dance Pe Chance to me is Taani’s song; it starts with great beat light in its meaning with not much depth or dimension, similar to Taani’s character but with lot of energy and beat.
Another song you might enjoy is Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte. I included this song as part of cutom playlist (see below). This song has reference to classical Hindi films but I am not sure what they mean. Perhaps someone can explain it. Also Dancing Jodi, a song that is truly come-to-Jesus moment for Taani. The expression alone tells the entire story. This song is also included in the custom playlist.
Overall, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is worth the time to watch. If you miss the big screen, grab it when it comes on a DVD. While Adi has given us a superb love story, I have to admit, it is a long way from topping DDLJ, where I fell in love with the couple. I think Taani does not possess the passion, the conviction and depth to compete with Simran. To me, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, is the love journey of Suri and Suri alone. Not only the character but the film in general seduces you slowly and deliberately, allowing you to open your heart slowly, savoring each discovery. By the very end, you realize be in a New York bar, London, Rome or Mumbai, the lesson is the same: desire of a human soul to attain intimacy and love. Rightly so, this film was the second highest grossing Bollywood film in 2008. From an industry that releases about 900 films a year, that says something. Go grab the movie from NetFlix and let me know what you think (aside loving Suri despite the grandpa pants and that awful sneakers he wears to work). To end this commentary, let me quote Oriah Mountain Dream’s inspiring note from The Invitation, “It does not interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream and for the adventure of being alive.” To me this is Suri, the ideal man in a woman’s life.
If you want to view all other music videos and everything else about RNBDJ, here is a custom playlist for your pleasure including all music videos, star interviews and behind the scene the making of the movie. If the link is broken, go to http://youtube.com/user/Isisbollywood select playlist Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.
Official Web page: http://www.yashrajfilms.com/microsites/rnbdjmicro/rnbdj.html
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any studio. This commentary is simply a labor of love for Hindi cinema. Copyrights to images, soundtrack and music videos are owned by the respective publishers while copyright to this commentary on my blog page is owned by me. Videos published here are with the intention to encourage the larger audience to watch the film and give Hindi-impaired enthusiasts the chance to understand the lyrics without it would have been not only unbearable to watch but also missed opportunity to appreciate the utter beauty of poetry in Hindi songs. Unfortunately, nearly all publishers and studios do not post their videos with English subtitles not to mention they don’t allow embedding (scary but true). So, removing this video serves no purpose.
EYE ON BOLLYWOOD 