Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa

Director: Atul Agnihotri
Starring: Salman Khan, Preity Zinta, Bhumika Chawla, Arbaaz Khan
Music: A.R. Rahman, Himesh Reshammiya

Son of noted script and dialogue writer Salim, Salman Khan, has much more to show the world than only his well-chiseled body and a face that is like any god from Greek mythology.

He has a big heart that beats for others, a brain that comes up with brilliant story ideas and more than that he is full of emotions that bloom quite often though not always in front of news smelling TV cameras.

When his sister Alveera wed that time small actor Atull Agnihotri, many were surprised. But, little did they know that Salman was instrumental in getting the two lovebirds find a sweet little cozy home for themselves.

Now, Salman is back with his brother-in-law and though Salman did say not long back that he too wishes to hold the mega phone behind the camera. First, he supported his brother Sohail Khan to do this and now it's brother-in-law Atull Agnihotri's turn to become a director riding on the back of super star Salman Khan.

Having Salman Khan as hero and Preity Zinta in a very special appearance makes half the battle won at the box office. Recent films of Salman Khan have witnessed huge initials despite the fact that some of them were not only mediocre in making but also did not have much substance to sustain for more than two or three weeks.

'Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa', Salman's latest, releases at a time when Champions' Trophy has just set in. 'Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa' is going to be true litmus test for Salman's popularity. If his fans can bid adieu cricket matches for this film, this will see through the box office's rough weather.

'Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa' is in the mould of social-drama films that were made in plenty in 70's and 80's and mostly under the banners of south India. Jeetendra was the pet hero for those films and most of them had two heroines fighting for the same man.

'Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa' starts with the love story of Rishabh (Salman Khan) and Pari (Preity Zinta). Rishabh is in love with Pari and will do anything she wants him to do but Pari is not so self-centric as her heart beats for the needy. She wants to open a big hospital for the poor and to fulfill this wish she needs Rishabh's support.

Being a billionaire, Rishabh has no qualms in doing so. The dreamy love story is heading smoothly but until the fate strikes bad. Pari meets a fatal accident and all dreams of Rishabh shatter in that just few seconds.

Life for Rishabh without Pari has no meaning. He now wants to fulfill Pari's dream and starts work on the project that Pari has left behind.

Enter, Dhani (Bhoomika Chawla, she made her debut with Salman's 'Tere Naam') and fresh breeze flows around Rishabh's life. Dhani is a very down- to- earth girl and though life has not been very kind to her, she has learnt to take things easy and enjoy life.

Rishabh likes her simplicity. As they are remain together for a long time, the chemistry between the two rekindles the love. And, again when every thing settles down, Dhani tells Rishabh the truth that she had been hiding so far in the core of her heart. Rishabh's life hangs fire again.

Who can he trust now? Who is that 'Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa'? And, will Rishabh ever be able to live in peace? All this and more make 'Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa' an interesting thing to see unfolding on the screen.

'Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa' is directorial debut for Atull Agnihorti .One can say he knows his job better than many others who come to make a film just for the sake of it. Not many know that Atull has assisted likes of Mahesh Bhatt and others in direction.

There many not be an absolutely different style in his making but Atull has managed to present an emotional drama with honesty.

The best thing about this film is that Atull has restrained himself from rhetoric that is very common in these kinds of films. Salman sobs like a man when he loses Pari; when he is with Dhani he shows his happiness with the light of his eyes.

Pari's emotions are too very well controlled. The only point where Atull has failed is song picturization. All the songs of this film look like those of any other Bollywood film. There is no novelty in frame making, camera placement or movement and lighting.

Even the costumes are not designed for roles, as has been the current trend of late in Bollywood too. The music of the film needed more soul than it has. The title track is okay but it does not have haunting quality.

Among the actors, it is just Salman's one-man show. Though, both Preity and Bhoomika' support the film very well, it is Salman who is there almost in every frame. It chose a set path in the beginning and Atull honestly followed the same track till the end.

There are no parallel tracks. All the cast and crew is dedicated to present Salman as a good hearted rich man who will do anything to see smiles on the faces of others.

Rishabh in 'Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaaa' seems to be trying to change the image of Salman Khan in real life as Vijay did in 'Deewar' for Hajji Mastan in real life.

Anyway, that is a matter of debate, what viewers get in 'Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaaa' is a clean, good entertainer that can be watched with full family, as there have not been many films in this category during the first half of the year. Maybe it's your weekend destination this week!