I am far from an expert on Indian cinema. While I've seen a few hundred Indian films, each year they bring out more films than Hollywood...times three! And, there are many in India who have seen thousands of these movies. But with my experience, I can say that the style and production values of Indian films from the early 1990s and before are VERY different from newer Indian pictures. In recent decades, Indian films have improved considerably when it comes to techniques and production values. And, as a result, often their films are the equal or better to many American movies.
I say all this because if you aren't familiar with Indian films, you might be surprised by how cheap "Saajan" looks compared to later Indian movies. I am NOT saying it's a bad film but so much of it looks cheap because Indian cinema still had some catching up to do at this point. The singing, compared to later films, sounds cheap and canned. Also, edits and acting are not quite as well done as you'd see today. The same can be said for the opening and closing credits...they look far cheaper than newer Indian films. BUT, this is NOT to say "Saajan" is a bad film...just made in an older style.
The story begins at a Catholic orphanage. Aman is a sad boy because other kids are adopted but because he has a very bad limp, he assumes he'll never be. But when he meets Akash and is befriended by him, soon they become best of friends. And, when Akash's parents meet Aman, they grow to love him as well and adopt the boy. This portion of the film is my favorite, as it's very sweet and heartwarming.
Years pass and now the two brothers are adults. Aman is bookish and serious and spends much of his time writing poetry. Akash is very different and is rarely serious and spends his time chasing women...lots and lots of women!
One day Akash meets a different sort of woman...one who isn't immediately impressed by his smile and playboy lifestyle. So, in desperation, he asks his brother to help him win the lady's heart through his poems...poems to which Akash signs his name!
If this sounds familiar, it's basically the plot to "Cyrano de Bergerac"...the French tale. However, will it end in tragedy like the life of Cyrano or will it have a happier ending?
If you look past the cheaper look to the film, you will see a lot to like. Sanjay Dutt is wonderful as Akash...actually outshining the arguably more famous Salman Khan as Akash. The story also has some wonderful moments. As for the music, I personally could not enjoy the tunes as much as in later films because of the cheap tinny sound...which took me out of the moment. The choreography during some of these songs also was occasionally bizarre and not as glossy as later films. In particular, the lady hanging off the hood of Akash's car as she writhed and sang...that was pretty weird. Overall, a very good film...worth seeing.
