Haathi Mere Saathi

Review By Kamal K

There are few movies in industry dedicated to human-animal bonding. Tears roll out by seeing care of Elephants towards the lead actor. The movie depicts the struggle for balance of love for animals and family. Surely this Rajesh Khanna classic is a must watch.

Haathi Mere Saathi (1971) : Brief Review -

Rajesh Khanna's biggest blockbuster of the 70s decade is an evergreen emotional rollercoaster. Can animal-based films be such tearjerkers? Pet films have a long history, mostly because they were emotionally appealing. Be it the modern films like Charlie 777 (2022) or Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009) or Hollywood's golden era classics like "Lassie Came Home" (1943), animated flick "The Lady and the Tramp" (1955), or coming-of-age drama "Old Yeller" (1957), we all cried while watching these films. But Haathi Mere Saathi has epic "Nafarat Duniya Ko," sung by Mohammed Rafi, man. How can any other film challenge that? The lyrics actually put humans at shame for their inhumanity towards animals. They are more loyal than humans, and that's why the lyricist says, "Pyaar ki duniya me khush rehna mere yaar." This is beyond any emotional experience. Beyond a tearjerker segment. The director has so many things to tell and so beautifully. Tanuja tells Ramu, "Jab tak tu Zinda hai me uss Ghar me wapas nahi aaungi," and she actually returns after he is dead. The doctor says, "Bhagwan pe bharosa rakho," and the next moment you have four elephants bathing Lord Ganesha's idol, and they start praying. Which pet/animal-driven film has such brilliant scenes, tell me? Convincing audiences with such films is the most difficult job, and that's why we don't have many blockbusters made on such topics. HMS tops the list. One of the major reasons was superstar Rajesh Khanna's presence and super hit songs, I agree, but convincing Rajesh Khanna to sign a sort of remake of a flop film in his peak period was a task itself. Writers Salim-Javed, director, and producer not only convinced Kaka but also the audience to make it a blockbuster film. It tells a lot about the impact the film must have left on the public. It just leaves you in so much pain and so many emotions that it just stays in your memory.

RATING - 7.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

This movie is one the biggest hits of Super Star Rajesh Khanna and is a movie which made him popular with kids who grew up seeing his future movies. This movie is about the relationship/bondage between man and animal. Elephants play an equally important role with Rajesh Khanna in the movie and the movie revolves around them. Tanuja playing the heroine also contributes. The movie has excellent music by Laxmikant Pyarelal who have composed some great hits for this movie sung by Kishore Kumar. One song of Mohammad Rafi is a class. The movie is a must see for movie watchers of all ages and especially the kids will enjoy this classic.

As a kid, I loved Haathi Mere Saathi. Today, I'm not particularly eager to revisit it though it's definitely a memorable picture. The film portrays a friendship between a young orphaned and wealthy man and his group of elephants, who had once saved him when he was lost in a jungle. The film was generally well made and several Indian movies were inspired by this story afterwards. The script is well written and the movie has its share of enjoyable moments even if the concept itself is hard to believe. The songs, the proceedings and the development were pretty fun to watch, despite being a bit melodramatic at points. Rajesh Khanna stars as Raj and he is a good hero for this film. This was the year when his performance in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Anand wowed audiences. His work here does not even deserve a comparison to the latter, but he is the main reason the movie works, and frankly speaking I've never been a big fan of his films and liked very few of his performances. Tanuja is very pretty as his wife. The supporting cast is good but the elephants are those who leave a mark. Their loyalty and wisdom were funny and inspiring at the same time. Haathi Mere Saathi is a nice film. It has many moments of comedy, drama and heartwarming fun, and despite having its flaws, it's worth watching, particularly for lovers of Hindi films.

Now, kill me if I can remember anything in particular about this movie. Beside the fact that it was 3 hours long and I spilled tones of tears during that time. No other film had made me cry so much for no reason at all. There is some hidden sentimentality in human species that makes him cry - most often some sad event of Bereavement - but in cinema there are instances unexplained. So it was the soundtrack of this Bollywood movie that has remained unchallenged hit for all times in Hindu cinema.

My personal memories from 40 years ago reveal the phenomenon of full cinema saloons with standing people interspersed between rows. Most were Gypsies of various age. That doesn't mean that Bulgaria (that's me) as a full member of European Union is Gypsy state. Most of them are of mixed origins, some of them cohabit with the Turks minority and at least half of that vagrant population is Christian. It's a matter of cultural adaptation and educational policy.

I see from the release info that "Haathi Mere Saathi" (1971) was projected only in Portugal and Bulgaria. Gosh, why don't you see it in America as well. Hundred percent guarantee that the end scene where elephant is being shot in the eye would heal your heart. Actors / actresses are beautiful by any standard and cars are fashionable. Thank you!