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Saathiya (film)

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Saathiya
Poster
Directed byShaad Ali
Screenplay byMani Ratnam
Dialogues byGulzar
Story byMani Ratnam
Based onAlaipayuthey (Tamil)
Produced by
StarringRani Mukerji
Vivek Oberoi
CinematographyAnil Mehta
Edited byA. Sreekar Prasad
Music byA. R. Rahman
Production
companies
Distributed byYash Raj Films
Release date
  • 20 December 2002 (2002-12-20)
Running time
139 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹75 million[1]
Box office₹291 million[1]

Saathiya (transl. Companion) is a 2002 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film directed by Shaad Ali in his directorial debut and produced by Mani Ratnam and Yash Chopra under the banners Madras Talkies and Yash Raj Films. A remake of Ratnam's Tamil film Alai Payuthey (2000), the film stars Rani Mukerji and Vivek Oberoi, with supporting performances from Sandhya Mridul, Tanuja, Swaroop Sampat, Satish Shah, Sharat Saxena, and Kunal Kumar.[2] The narrative follows Aditya and Suhani, a young couple who elope and marry despite parental opposition, only to find their relationship tested by personal struggles and a sudden tragedy.

Cinematography was handled by Anil Mehta and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad.[3] The soundtrack and background score were composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Gulzar. The music, particularly the title track "Saathiya" sung by Sonu Nigam, received widespread acclaim and commercial success.

Released theatrically on 20 December 2002, Saathiya received critical praise for its direction, performances, screenplay, and music. It emerged as a commercial success, earning ₹291 million (US$3.4 million) and ranking as the eighth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year.[4]

At the 48th Filmfare Awards, Saathiya received eight nominations and won six awards, including Best Actress (Critics) (Mukerji), Best Screenplay (Ratnam), and Best Male Playback Singer (Sonu Nigam for "Saathiya").[5]

Plot

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Aditya Sehgal, a young professional, is devastated when his wife, Suhani, goes missing following an argument over their faltering marriage. As he searches for her across Mumbai, the narrative shifts into a flashback tracing the evolution of their relationship.

Aditya first meets Suhani at a wedding and is immediately smitten. Despite initial hesitation, Suhani gradually reciprocates his feelings. However, their romance is strained by socio-economic differences—Aditya hails from a wealthy business family, while Suhani belongs to a middle-class household. When their parents disapprove, particularly after Aditya’s father insults Suhani’s father, the couple elopes and secretly marries.

Complications arise when Suhani reveals her marriage during a proposal for her elder sister, leading to her expulsion from her home. Simultaneously, Aditya’s parents discover the truth and disown him. Isolated from their families, the couple begins a modest life in a small apartment, struggling with the realities of marriage, career pressures, and domestic responsibilities.

Tensions escalate after Suhani accuses Aditya of infidelity, resulting in a heated argument. Later that evening, Suhani is struck by a car while walking home, unbeknownst to Aditya. Believing she has left him in anger, he waits for her return.

After realizing she is missing, Aditya begins a city-wide search. He eventually learns that Suhani has been admitted to a hospital under a different name and is in critical condition. The driver responsible for the accident, IAS officer Yeshwant Rao, initially claims responsibility. However, his wife, Savitri, later reveals she was the actual driver, and Yeshwant had taken the blame to protect her.

As Suhani regains consciousness, Aditya rushes to her side, confessing the anguish he endured during her absence. Suhani reciprocates, and the two reconcile, reaffirming their love for each other.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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Saathiya was the directorial debut of Shaad Ali and a Hindi remake of Mani Ratnam’s Tamil film Alai Payuthey (2000). The film was jointly produced by Ratnam under Madras Talkies and Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films. Ali collaborated with lyricist Gulzar to adapt the screenplay and dialogues for a Hindi-speaking audience.[6]

Casting

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Abhishek Bachchan was Shaad Ali’s original choice for the role of Aditya but declined the offer. The role was then given to Vivek Oberoi, who had recently gained recognition for his debut in Company (2002).[7][8]

Rani Mukerji was cast as Suhani. Initially reluctant to take on the role due to her hesitation about remaking an acclaimed film, she eventually accepted after being persuaded by Aditya Chopra.[9][8]

Filming

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Cinematography was handled by Anil Mehta, while editing was done by A. Sreekar Prasad. The film’s soundtrack was composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Gulzar. Several songs, including “Saathiya” and “Chalka Chalka Re,” were filmed across urban and suburban locations in Mumbai, with a focus on natural lighting and handheld camerawork to enhance realism.[10]

Soundtrack

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Saathiya
Soundtrack album by
A. R. Rahman
Released18 October 2002 (Digital Release)
20 December 2002 (Film Release)
RecordedPanchathan Record Inn
GenreFeature Film soundtrack, Ambient
Length44:03
LabelYRF Music (digital)
Saregama (physical)
ProducerA. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman chronology
Kadhal Virus
(2002) 		Saathiya
(2002) 		Parasuram
(2003)

The soundtrack of Saathiya was composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Gulzar. It features nine songs, most of which were adapted from Rahman’s original compositions for Mani Ratnam’s Tamil film Alai Payuthey (2000). Two tracks, “Mere Yaar Mila De” and “Naina Milaike,” were newly composed for the Hindi version, replacing “Evano Oruvan” and “Alaipayuthey,” respectively. Rahman experimented with a blend of Carnatic influences and contemporary arrangements, incorporating classical, Sufi, and electronic elements.[11]

The title track “Saathiya,” sung by Sonu Nigam, was particularly well-received and went on to win several awards.[12] According to Box Office India, the Saathiya soundtrack was the second highest-selling Bollywood album of 2002, with approximately two million units sold—just behind Humraaz.[13]

Reception

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The music album was praised by music critics for its innovation and lyrical depth. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama described the music as “melodious and easy on the ears,” naming the title track as the standout.[14] Cine Urban commended the digital sound mix and visual presentation of the songs in the film, while Mrbrown highlighted “Chhalka Chhalka Re,” “Chupke Se,” and “Aye Udi Udi Udi” as musical highlights.[15][16] Glamsham wrote that Rahman created “a different genre of music” with a unique, upbeat sound that stood out among his contemporaries.[17]

At the 48th Filmfare Awards, Saathiya won Best Music Director (A. R. Rahman) and Best Male Playback Singer (Sonu Nigam for “Saathiya”).

All tracks are written by Gulzar.

Saathiya[18]
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Saathiya"Sonu Nigam, Clinton Cerejo05:57
2."Chhalka, Chhalka Re"Mahalaxmi Iyer, Vaishali Samant, Richa Sharma, Shoma05:45
3."Aye Udi Udi"Adnan Sami04:36
4."Chupke Se"Sadhana Sargam, Murtuza Khan, Qadir Khan06:04
5."O Humdum Soniyo Re"K K, Kunal Ganjawala, Shaan03:57
6."Mere Yaar Mila De"A. R. Rahman05:43
7."Naina Milaike"Sadhana Sargam, Madhushree05:14
8."Maangalyam"Srinivas, K. K., Kunal Ganjawala, Shaan01:43
9."Chori Pe Chori" (Rap lyrics and vocals: Blaazé)Asha Bhosle, Karthik05:01
Total length:44:03

Reception

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Box office

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Saathiya emerged as a commercial success, earning approximately ₹291.5 million (US$3.4 million) worldwide. It ranked as the eighth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year.[19]

India

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In India, the film collected a net revenue of ₹152.55 million and a gross revenue of ₹247.1 million. The film had a strong opening, with a first-day collection of ₹5.3 million and a first-week total of ₹37.8 million.[20]

Overseas

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Internationally, Saathiya grossed approximately $925,000 (₹45.2 million). In the United States and Canada, the film earned $312,660.[21]

Critical reception

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Saathiya received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise directed towards its performances, direction, music, and realistic portrayal of romantic relationships. Several reviewers, however, noted issues with pacing and narrative consistency.

Writing for Nowrunning, Subhash K. Jha described the film as "a gentle study of love and marital blues in urban India" and praised its realistic tone and spontaneity. He commended Rani Mukerji and Vivek Oberoi for their "believable" performances, and highlighted the film’s technical merits, particularly A. Sreekar Prasad’s editing and Anil Mehta’s cinematography, which he called "wonderfully chiselled and lively."[22]

Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com noted that the film’s simple narrative structure was effectively executed, avoiding unnecessary subplots. She appreciated director Shaad Ali’s focused storytelling and observed that the lead pair’s chemistry added emotional depth to the film.[23]

Manish Gajjar of the BBC described the film as "a touching love story with a difference" and praised the lead performances, noting that "Oberoi shows great promise" and that Mukerji "plays the character with great conviction." He also lauded A. R. Rahman’s soundtrack as "melodious" and highlighted the film’s direction and emotional tone.[24]

In a review for Variety, David Rooney called the film "a slick, emotionally satisfying romantic drama." He praised the musical score by A. R. Rahman and described Mukerji’s performance as "expressive," effectively capturing the transition from youthful romance to mature resilience. Rooney also cited the production values and cinematography as contributing to the film's overall appeal.[25]

Udita Jhunjhunwala of Mid-Day commended Mukerji for her "understated" portrayal of Suhani, stating the role "fits her like a glove." She criticized the first half for "choppy editing and rushed pacing," and felt that the climax was "overly commercial," but acknowledged the film’s emotional sincerity.[26]

Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama was more critical, rating the film 1.5 out of 5. He praised the soundtrack and cinematography but criticized the screenplay, stating that the second half "falls flat" and that the film "relies too heavily on its music to sustain interest."[27]

Accolades

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Main article: List of accolades received by Saathiya (film)

The film received several accolades, including six Filmfare Awards, three IIFA Awards, three Screen Awards and four Zee Cine Awards[28]

Legacy

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Saathiya is regarded as one of the more influential romantic dramas in Hindi cinema from the early 2000s. The film was noted for its realistic portrayal of post-marital conflict and for subverting conventional Bollywood tropes by not adhering to a traditional "happily ever after" narrative structure.[29]

The film marked a significant milestone in Vivek Oberoi’s early career, becoming his third box-office success in his debut year following Company and Road.[30] It also played a pivotal role in establishing Rani Mukerji as a leading actress in Hindi cinema. Although she had experienced only moderate success prior to Saathiya, her performance in the film was widely praised and is often cited as one of the most defining roles of her career.[31][32]

The song “Chalka Chalka Re,” adapted from the original Tamil track “Yaaro Yaarodi” from Alai Payuthey (2000), gained renewed visibility when the original version was featured in the 2008 English-language romantic comedy The Accidental Husband.[33]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Saathiya - Movie - Box Office India". boxofficeindia.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  2. ^ Jhunjhunwala, Udita (21 December 2002). "Saathiya". Mid-Day. Archived from the original on 2 February 2003. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  3. ^ Kumar, S. Shiva (5 October 2018). "Mani is the matter: On Chekka Chivantha Vaanam". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 March 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Saathiya". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  5. ^ Saathiya Awards: List of Awards won by Hindi movie Saathiya, archived from the original on 14 November 2022, retrieved 14 November 2022
  6. ^ "15 years of Saathiya".
  7. ^ Selvaraj, Sreeram (17 December 2002). "Saathiya is like an exam for me". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  8. ^ a b "'Were you with Chinese officials during Doklam?': Anurag Thakur hits out at Rahul Gandhi". India Today. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  9. ^ Jha, Subhash K (21 March 2003). "People are happy with me in Saathiya. So am I". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Remembering Saathiya".
  11. ^ "'Lyrics Today Aren't Poetry, Just Bad Prose' | Saibal Chatterjee | 26 June 2006". www.outlookindia.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  12. ^ "Devdas bags laurels at IIFA 2003 Awards". The Times of India. 17 May 2003. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
  13. ^ "Music Hits 2000–2009 (Figures in Units)". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 15 February 2008.
  14. ^ "Saathiya Review – Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  15. ^ "Urban Cinefile SAATHIYA". urbancinefile.com.au. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  16. ^ "The Movie Report Archive: January 2003". mrbrownmovies.com. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  17. ^ "Saathiya : music [email protected]". glamsham.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  18. ^ "Saathiya (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes (India). 18 October 2002. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  19. ^ "Top Worldwide Grossers 2002". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  20. ^ "Saathiya - Movie - Box Office India". www.boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  21. ^ "Saathiya (2002) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  22. ^ "Saathiya Review | Saathiya Hindi Movie Review by Subhash K. Jha". NOWRUNNING. 3 November 2002. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  23. ^ "rediff.com: Movies: The Rediff Review: Saathiya". m.rediff.com. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  24. ^ Gajjar, Manish. "Saathyia". BBC. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
  25. ^ Elley, Derek (31 December 2002). "Saathiya". Variety. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  26. ^ Jhunjhunwala, Udita (21 December 2002). "Saathiya". Mid-Day. Archived from the original on 2 February 2003. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
  27. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (20 December 2002). "Saathiya Review 1.5/5 | Saathiya Movie Review | Saathiya 2002 Public Review | Film Review". Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  28. ^ Dhirad, Sandeep (2006). "Filmfare Nominees and Winners" (PDF). Filmfare. pp. 116–119. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  29. ^ "Why Rani Mukerji and Vivek Oberoi's Saathiya is one of the most liked contemporary love stories". India Today. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  30. ^ "20 years of Saathiya: The moment Vivek Oberoi realised he became a star, film's shoot had to be cancelled due to crowd". Indian Express. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
  31. ^ "Rani Mukerji movies that etched her name in the portals of Hindi cinema". Filmfare. 21 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  32. ^ "Rani Mukerji's Top 10 Performances". Rediff.com. 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  33. ^ "15 years of Saathiya: Here are some unknown facts of the Rani Mukerji and Vivek Oberoi starrer". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
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