सलाम नमस्ते

This Hindi film is said to be a remake of 'Nine Months' and to be derivative of certain Hindi films, but not having seen any of them I am not entitled to comment on that. (I felt an undertone of 'Sleepless in Seattle', not a bad choice to emulate). In 'Salaam Namaste' practically everyone is young and successful and gorgeous, so it is admittedly an escapist fantasy. One could criticize that but on the other hand it's a hard film to dislike. The stars are wonderful together, and Melbourne, Australia, is a major character the way New York often is. Living in Melbourne, the main characters deal with certain issues that they might not face -or would deal with differently- had they stayed in India. Likewise, traditional Indian viewers might find some elements a bit shocking but I don't think the filmmakers set out to put off anyone. Yes, it's manipulative and predictable, but it's a 'feel-good' movie that works. If you can handle a little sugar, I recommend it.

I'm someone who likes to go into a movie knowing very little about the plot, so when I heard that "Salaam Namaste" was a remake of the American film "nine months" i was not phased in the least bit, especially since i had not yet seen that movie. Yes the movie addresses an off beat issue, but bollywood's attempt to address such an issue should be applauded. It has its shortcomings, just like any bollywood movie does. Preity and Saif have good on screen chemistry. The beginning of the film was a bit slow and trite, in terms of the humor employed, but it was still bearable. The development of the plot and the climax was well handled. The soundtrack had one or two memorable songs, but otherwise it was mostly forgettable. All in all, I feel that "salaam namaste" is a movie worth watching.

How they came up with this movie:

Aditya: ...But you know it gotta be new.

Siddharth: Lets see what we can do? How about a new location?

A: Oh yes! In the past movies, We've been to London, new york, LA.. how about Melbourne this time?

S: Fantastic! and we can have a couple of beach songs there, you know thats the latest trend these days.

A: OK Lets talk about the story. I've an idea, lets do a different kind of romantic movie.

S: What different?

A: How about if we make a modern day love story, girl and boy both living outside India. That way we can also capture those NRI sentiments you know?

S: Whoa whoa. But that we have already seen in so many other movies lately. Need to add something more to it.

A: How about if the boy and the girl live together?

S: Live-in relationships? Indian audience will never accept that.

A: Ha! They are going' to jump on it, it will be a fresh story, wholly new idea, you know. Boy and girl stay together, fall in love, have sex, and then the girl becomes pregnant.

S: You are talking about "nine-months"?

A: whatever! how many in India have watched nine months? forget it. people are just going to love the idea.

S: OK so the story is finalized. What about the music?

A: Yeh, we need one or two dance item numbers, one wedding song?

S: why a wedding song?

A: You don't understand! its that superstition thing!

S: OK OK! But how are we going to have dance numbers when the heroine is pregnant?

A: Don't worry! Audience won't care. They come only to see the dance and songs. Nobody gives a damn even if she dances while giving birth to her baby.

A: I've got this gut feeling, in last movie remember, people loved the comedy. We have to have that in this movie too.

S: But its a serious movie. How can it have comedy?

A: Then arrange some part time TV actor. You know those anchors, they can speak so much on the spot you don't even need to worry about writing dialogs for them.

S: Thats fine. How about the cast?

A: Lets see, Preity is hot these day. See if we get dates from Preity, else go for Rani. Male actor, I don't think Shahrukh is that good after Swades. and Aamir, just don't approach him, he'll demand the god-damn script first.

S: Then how about Saif.

A: He'll do. Anything else?

S: We'll see that on the sets. Lets start working on it.

A really refreshing and superbly made movie for the young genre of audience.The plot revolves around Nikhil "Nick" Arora(Saif Ali Khan) and Amber(Priety Zinta).Nick is the Gen-X cool kinda dude who's a chef at a restaurant and Amber is a medical student funding her fees by working as a Radio-Jockey at the station named "Salaam Namaste".How they fall for each other and start living together is shown quite sensibly without the normal hum-bug and drama.Director Siddharth Anand has put in lot of efforts trying to capture the young mind-sets of Indians living abroad.So Nick and Amber start living together and start a relationship.Everything is fine until Nick and Amber find out that Amber's pregnant.nick wants it aborted and amber insists on keeping it.Fight and mayhem ensues and they break-up.They live under the same roof but avoid and sometimes trouble each other.Finally nick realizes what mistake he's making and woos amber back.Saif Ali Khan is awesome in the movie and proves once more that hes that damn good at acting as he's in his looks.Preity gives a powerful performance and looks ravishing in those small dresses and short hair.Arshad Warsi(Ron) as Nicks Geeky but lovable and cute guy,has performed brilliantly!Tania Zaetaa('Who dares wins' babe) us absolutely forgettable.Javed Jaffery has u in splits and proves hes a force to reckon with when it comes to comic timing!Overall an awesome experience and I do hope u all will catch it.Its a complete entertainer.The music is not that bad.A very enjoyable movie especially with your sweetheart in your arms.

I was pleasantly surprised. Went to this movie for a Charity Fundraiser to help orphans in India. Never seen an Indian/Bollywood movie before as these movies never interest me. I have detested reading subtitles in the past.

When it started I though, oh my, I have to sit through this, I thought "how corny".

However, the more I got into the movie the more and more I liked it. It is a lighthearted, predictable romantic comedy who's target audience would be 15yo to 40 yo women. It is not really a mens movie.

The acting was excellent and I loved seeing Melbourne.

The end birthing scene was over the top but overall a great movie