A lot of water has flown under the cinematic sea in 21 years. In that phase, technology has got a major boost, audience tastes have got modified and updated, and above all, non-mainstream entertainers have a chance of audience endorsement on big-screen or digital avenues.
In 2004, Tips Films had produced the offbeat Hari Om (a popular Hindu mantra and also the name of the film’s protagonist). As per the tastes and commercial diktats of those times, the film could never be properly released in India, though it was appreciated at several film festivals abroad.
Such feel-good, wholesome, non-dark and “un-bizarre” (to coin a term) movies stand no chance of winning awards in such places and this film was no different. Nevertheless, those who watched it liked or loved the film then!
But today, with technological help and a sizable chunk of luck (after all, the film’s subject has no timeline, and the other reasons mentioned at the beginning), the enterprising filmmakers have ‘refurbished’ the film and have chosen to release it digitally. A select media was thus shown the film at a preview theatre, and despite some absurdities and jumps (like any classic Hindi entertainer), the movie’s timelessness and feel-good ambience struck home. That said, it also is quite like all those crossover films that were released then, with sporadic hits like Monsoon Wedding, in which Vijay Raaz, the hero here, made his first mark in a memorable role. But again, it is decidedly more ‘Indian’.
The storyline is simple: Hari Om (Vijay Raaz, who was fairly new then) is a rickshaw owner in Jaipur and has named his vehicle ‘Madhuri’ after Dixit-Nene. A film buff with suppressed Hindi film ambitions, he has foolishly gambled and lost Rs. 25,000 to an unscrupulous goon named Lal Chand (late Anupam Shyam).
In the city, two French lovebirds, the ardent and warm Isa (Camille Natta) and the businesslike (he also has a business agenda) Benoit (Jean Marie Lamour) have alighted from Palace on Wheels, which is India’s first luxury tourist train that was running then and was restarted in 2024 (another plus for the movie!).
Benoit gets into a boring business meet and Isa decides to leave and explore Jaipur. She lands up in Hari Om’s rickshaw and has a ball through the day, immersing herself in enjoying the sights and streets so much that she misses the train!
Her boyfriend does not call her and she is mighty miffed by his attitude. Hari Om has dropped her at the station, but realizes that Lal Chand’s goons are waiting for him and the money when he nears home. He decides to run away from the city, and on the way, encounters a stranded (from a punctured bus) and distraught Isa.
From here, begins their long journey together and as time passes, they come close to each other, exchanging stories of their lives and dreams, while, off and on, Isa calls up Benoit and finally arraigns him for not coming personally to pick her up as they touch various small cities and villages in the picturesque state in their journey. By the time he does, Isa and Hari Om have given their hearts to each other. But how can their worlds possibly come together? And will Hari Om be able to pay off his debt?
A road story peppered with wholesome Rajasthani customs, rituals and delightful major (like the ‘Hookah Man’ played by A.K. Hangal) and minor characters, awesome vistas of the desert, the predominant elephants and camels, a few landmarks and a sweet undercurrent of humor, the film is a 108-minute delight. In its unpretentiousness lies its timelessness and appeal, and quite naturally, its lack of awards!
Vijay Raaz is alright but could have shown a bit of variation in his expressions. As the title-role protagonist and hero, his smiles, emotions and romantic expressions are, I thought, a shade stilted, and please do not blame me for thinking that someone like Ravi Kishan would have done a standout job! Camille Natta is a delight; her spontaneous expressions and mobile face enhance many a situation. She looks the perfect foreigner charmed by rural India and its visuals and denizens and often bewildered by some local or traditional aspect of Rajasthani life.
Jean Marie Lamour is correctly priggish, though his last 10 minutes of screen time seem slightly fake. A.K. Hangal is perfect in his cameo, while Anupam Shyam is a typical villain.
The camerawork (Angus Hudson) aims at creating love for Rajasthan and so does the production design and art direction (Naveen Shetty). The film’s script is charming again, though director and co-writer Bharatbala should have avoided some needless jumps and flaws. For example, he could have explained better the whimsical sudden urges by Isa to call Benoit from a public phone and then hang up without giving him time to respond. Why Hari Om is jailed for something and released, and how ‘Madhuri’ returns to his life after being taken away by Lal Chand’s men are not explained either. The sudden reunion of Isa and Benoit needed some footnote too. But otherwise, Bharatbala keeps it all nice and real—which for cinema may not always mean the same thing! The rickshaw chase sequence, however, seems straight out of an Indian entertainer.
I also missed seeing Isa experimenting with Rajasthani meals through their long journey. That a foreigner, to enjoy India, must savor its traditions and culture, however befuddling they may be for him, is, however, clearly brought out through Benoit.
The music (originally by Nitin Sawhney) has been completely revamped. Kitne sona tujhe rab ne banaya (a song originally from a Tips production composed by Nadeem-Shravan from a Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan original!!) has been re-created, but for me, Halki halki nami, written by Gulzar, composed by Shameer Tandon and rendered by B. Praak, worked better. And I wish (yet-yet- yet…again!), a Punjabi song, Shaher ghumawa, was not included in a Rajasthani setup! Do the makers seriously think that GenZee and others just want a Punjabi song to jell with them and lure them into watching a film?!
The background score by Troy-Arif is competently done but a watch should have been kept on its decibels that tend to be loud and distracting on occasion.
The film releases digitally today, October 17 and despite these small hiccups, I would recommend it. Because curiously enough, this light movie stays with you.
Rating: ****
Tips Films’ Soulmates Produced by: Kumar S. Taurani & Ramesh S. Taurani Directed by: Bharatbala Written by: Bharatbala, Sanjay Lafont & Saurab Laftnu Music: Nadeem-Shravan, Shameer Tandon, Troy-Arif, Saksham Tandon & Sunny Vik Starring: Vijay Raaz, Camille Natta, Jean Marie Lamour, A.K. Hangal, Anupam Shyam & others
