Prem, a top student, is learning the ropes of business under his elder brother Rajesh and his uncle Kailashnath, a big industrialist. In another town, Nisha is studying computer science and is the darling of her elder sist... more »er, Pooja, and her parents, Professor Choudhry and Kamladevi. Fate brings the two families together and this results in the the betrothal of Rajesh and Pooja. At the wedding, Prem meets Nisha and falls in love with this carefree woman. With Pooja as the woman of the house, joy knows no bounds in Prem's family. Months pass by and Pooja becomes pregnant. Nisha is invited to come and stay with her sister and attend the traditional function before the child's birth. Nisha's arrival is like a dream come true for Prem. Nisha stays there until the birth of the child, taking over the household chores, and becoming very much a part of the family. In soft whispers, Prem and Nisha commit their love for each other and secretly dream of spending a lifetime together. Then fate strikes a cruel blow when Pooja dies after a sudden fall down a flight of stairs. Because of this tragedy, life in the house comes to a standstill. Rajesh worries about the future of his motherless child, and it causes his health to deteriorate. Nisha's father suggests that Nisha should get married to Rajesh and become the mother of Pooja's child. Prem and Nisha decide to sacrifice their love for the sake of the family. Fate intervenes once again when Rajesh comes to know the truth behind Prem and Nisha's sacrifice. Putting his child into Nisha's arms, Rajesh unites and blesses the two lovers, whose hearts long to belong together.
Rajesh (Mohnish Bahl) runs the business for his dad, Kailashnath (Alok Nath), and is an eligible bachelor. The family wants him to marry Pooja Choudhury (Renuka Shahane), to which he agrees. With great gusto the families get together to plan the engagement and marriage ceremonies. At these ceremonies, Rajesh's younger brother, Prem (Salman Khan) meets Pooja's younger sister, Nisha (Madhur Dixit), and after a few meetings both fall in love with each other. After a few months, Pooja gives birth to a baby, but unfortunately, dies shortly thereafter. Rajesh is devastated, and the families get together and decide that it will be in the best interests of both the child and Rajesh, if Nisha were to take Pooja's place and marry Rajesh. Hence the title, simply translated means: What Is My Relationship With You? No doubt this question will linger in the minds of both Nisha and Prem, who are all set to face a new relationship.« less
Nicholas G. Kotsonis | new york, new york United States | 06/27/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a wonderful movie. The love story for all ages in any country. Prem and Nisha meet when their siblings get engaged in an arranged marriage. They at first tease each other, but eventually realize that they are in love. Then tragedy strikes, Nisha's sister Pooja, after giving birth to a beautiful boy, dies in a stairs accident. The families are grief stricken. They decide that the husband must marry again for the sake of the baby. The father's decide that Nisha will take Pooja's place. Nisha, being unaware that the families have arranged her to be marriewd to Rajesh, believes that she will be married to Prem.
Both lovers decide that for the sake of the families they will hide their love. Here is the traditional notion of sacreficing your happiness for the sake of many others.
This is a classic tale with the songs not only being an excellent breather from the movie, but they are also cute tunes that keep you involved in the story.
This film from Yash Chropra is the first from his family's company that explores the mixture of modern and tradional India. His later films Diwale Dulhania Y Jangege and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai expand the messages and themes begun in this film.
A must see film for everyone that loves love stories."
A classic tale of love, Bollywood style!
z hayes | TX | 11/05/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This movie turned out to be one of the highest-grossing Indian movies of all-time, and no wonder - the music is superb [songs & melodies in the traditional Indian style], good casting, and lovely costumes, not to mention a story that tugs at the heartstrings.
The story itself is a typical Bollywood romance/ tearjerker - Prem [Salman Khan] and Nisha [the bewitching Madhuri Dixit] finds themselves falling for each other as Prem's older brother Rajesh [Mohnish Behl] marries Nisha's sister Pooja [Renuka Shahane]. Unfortunately tragedy strikes when Pooja dies shortly after the birth of her first child. The elder males feel that it would be best for Nisha to marry her widowed bro-in-law [common in many traditional societies] so as to provide the motherless child with a loving substitute mommy. Unbeknownst to the other family members, Prem and Nisha are deeply in love, and they decide to sacrifice their love for the sake of the family [another common thread in many Bollywood movies]. The rest of the story deals with what happens to the star-crossed lovers.
Though the plot is not extraordinary, what lifts this movie above the average Bollywood blockbuster is the excellent songs & dances that lend a melodious harmony to the movie itself, whilst not detracting from the actual story. The acting by the cast is credible, and the two leads [Salman & Madhuri] have a genuine chemistry [that is repeated in many other Hindi romances such as Saajan etc].
An entertaining family movie that is sure to warm your heart [just don't expect a typical Bollywood blockbuster that is heavy on violence and low on acting & plot]."
A Bollywood favorite for many that has the vibe of an early
Lyn | Melbourne Australia | 02/13/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is generally a much loved Bollywood movie released in 1994. I think it has to be assessed within that time-frame.
It has all the simplicity and naivete that Hollywood did in the 50s and early 60s. Its the sort of movie Doris Day would have starred in in terms of nice people and family values. It has scenes such as two whole families sitting in a circle and playing a game of pass the cushion and when the music stops the person holding it has to perform some forfeit piece of poetry or music. Now this tells you something about the times in itself.
It is a long movie and there are many more songs than you tend to get these days. The songs were generally lively but I haven't felt tempted to download them. I did find the movie went on a bit at times though I know not all viewers felt that.
It is a piece that informs a lot about Indian customs with quite long scenes laying out cultural practices around weddings and allied rituals. These are people who put family first and will sacrifice personal desires for family sake. The families intermarried are idyllic except for an aunt who provides selfish, greedy contrast.
I came to Salman Khan movies this millennium and its interesting to see him younger. He is less self-conscious here and dances a lot better. I particularly noted the freer movement around his shoulders and wonder if all the bodybuilding since has locked him up there and restricted his range of movement!
All actors are good and the 2 leads (Salman and Madhuri Dixit) have good chemistry in what is, unashamedly, a building romantic tale.
There is nothing new here but it has its own period charms. For those who don't like sentimental or cute, for art-house cinema lovers and those who only like more real or recent stuff, this may not be for you. However for those who like Bollywood musicals this is one of the best loved in the genre- which won a swathe of awards when it was released."
Best of Bollywood
Scorpioz | san jose, ca, usa | 02/20/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This movie is THE BEST "Family" movie you will ever come across the entire globe (not just Bollywood)...It has love, laughter, tears, emotions, songs, dances, dialouges, (basically a GREAT story/direction)...So GO for it DEFINATELY."
I love my family
The Patriarch | 08/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you only watch the newest movies and you favor the synthetic drum machine music instead of traditional Indian instruments or if you only watch Indian movies with Sharuk Khan in them do yourself a favor and pass this old relic up for something newer. You are dismissed.
Ok, see that? I got rid of all the wannabe Bollywood fans and only those who truly respect this art are remaining. Now onto the review. Lights, action, camera!
The title to this review, seen written on the side of our hero's Jeep sums up the message of this movie. It is about the tight-knit fabric that holds India together- the family. The movie opens up with the credit sequence and hero and heroine signing the title song. It's a beautiful song and a great way to open this movie. It's then onto a cricket match that, ok, may not be the best way top start a movie. It's a little silly with a dog for an umpire. But whatever.
As the film rolls on there is a marriage being set up. The groom's brother Prem and the bride's sister Nisha start off bickering but you can tell they like each other. Soon the marriage is confirmed and the groom presents the ring. And we're onto the next song, the immortal Wah Wah Ramji. This is an awesome song. I do like the Kahbi Kushi Kahbi Gham version better though.
The next part of the movie they are preparing for the wedding. Getting to see a theme? Most of this movie has to do with marriage. The scene either takes place at a marriage or during the preparation for one. Most of the time anyway. During all this marriage prep there is another awesome song. I don't know the names to all the song's sorry. I hear there are about 14-I've never taken the time to count. For this song, the men sit across from the women. I'm sure this is some sort of traditional hindu ceremony. In the song the man sings about how beautiful and wonderful his sister and law is. What a wonderful thing to say.
"My in-law is truly blessed/ She is like the goddess of wealth/ who has transformed this house into Heaven."
Moving on there is yet more preparation for the marriage. More ceremonies and rituals. It seems as though nothing has been left out when it comes to showing us what the Indian marriage process is like. And there is a lot, I am skipping quite a bit or this review would last forever!
When the two are finally wed there is yet another beautiful song the bride sings(or thinks rather.) This may be my favorite song as it is very well written with a bittersweet message.
"Mom, I'm leaving behind all my memories of childhood/My loving sister take care of the house the same as I have./My father-in-law is my dad now and my husband is my God now.
Haha. all the liberals reading this just cringed. Loooosers!
The bride does nothing but cry as she leaves the service. If I was her husband I would feel horrible. Now that they are married off, more rituals and ceremonies take place and we're back to more cricket. Prem sings a song about how he loves his sister-in-law who now lives with them.
"Sister, you're the treasure of this happy home...Search for a replica of yourself and bring her here for me to marry."
Now Prem begins the courting process of Nisha and they begin to fall in love. When they have received the sister-in-law's blessing they are about to go to their parents for permission to marry when disaster strikes. Nisha and Prem must now make a decision-one that will benefit themselves or one that benefits the whole family.
This is not my #1 favorite Bollywood film, but is probably #2. It has the most simple and beautiful messages that a film could have. Love of family, self-sacrifice...maybe Jesus traveled to India after all.
My only problem with this movie is with the DVD. First, they try to fit a 3 1/2 hour movie onto a single layer disc, reducing the picture quality. Next, the English subtitles are a couple seconds off during the last half hour of the movie so it is very hard for us folk that don't know Hindi to keep up! Sorry, but that Rosetta Stone software still isn't doing me any good!