Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi: Eminently watchable

I had first read a review of the movie on Friday on a online news site, and the review was treating the movie as so-so, and with the thought that many of Shahrukh's previous movies (especially Om Shanti Om, but with the exception of Chak De which was a much better movie) have been over-acted, I was unsure about watching the movie. But come Saturday evening, I was there at the ticket counter, waiting in queue to see the movie. The hall was not fully sold out, but there were enough people to make the hall seem fairly full.
And then, 3 hours later, I walked out; what was the judgment ? Well, I liked the movie, warts and all. Granted, the movie was long, it could have been cut by atleast 45 minutes and you would have been able to still make the same story. Now, about the story, there was criticism that there is not much of a story, and that is true to a large extent - but the tagline of the movie was that there is a story behind every ordinary couple, and so it seemed in this case as well. This was a sensitive portrayal of the 3 main characters in the movie, the husband-wife pair, and the friend who would do anything for the sake of his best friend.



The movie was directed by Aditya Chopra, and this is his third directorial effort, after Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenege (1995) and Mohabbatein (2000). Mohabbatein was very long, and some of the effects of that can be seen in this movie, where he stretched the middle section of the movie quite long, and this is one of the areas that I heard the audiences after the movie also being critical. The movie stars Shahrukh Khan, introduces Anushka Sharma, and stars Vinay Pathak as the true friend Bobby Khosla (Punjabi style).
The movie is short on story (and if you don't want to spoil your surprise, stop reading at this point), but the story that is described in the movie is a feel good story, where you can identify with the characters. There is this staid and brilliant guy, Surinder Sahni, who is working with Punjab Power and leads a normal, middle class (and boring life). Once, at his former teacher's house, he sees his teacher's to-be-married daughter Taani and falls for her instantly. However, tragedy strikes, and her to-be-groom dies in an accident. Her father has a massive heart attack, and from his deathbed, he wants to see his daughter married to Surinder. She is a bright, vivacious young girl, full of life, and full of love for her lover and would be husband. And now, she is the wife of a boring man, full of grief.
He gets her home, without any pressure on her (the scenes where he hesitatingly asks her to join in the marriage celebration party is superb), and soon, she breaks the ice - she promises to be a good wife, but without any passion for him, and will break with the old life. Surinder does not want to see her like this, after all, he loves her to the extent of his life, and is willing to do anything to maker her happy. When she wants to join a dance school, he supports her, and also decides to change his style and join her at school. He is happy at small things such as when he starts getting good food, a packed tiffic, although they are still separate (he sleeps in a different room from her).
And this is where the movie changes. He becomes a totally different character Raj, without a moustache (and it is surprising that a staid guy can become such a seemingly obnoxious, flirting, and loud character, and even then, his wife cannot recognize him). So, it goes on, with him using the parlour of Vinay Pathak to do his change act. Soon, they need to start preparing for a dance festival, and by now, Taani is warming to this overly loud, but fun and vivacious guy who is so much like what she used to be, and very different from her current boring middle class wife life.
The movie meanders in this part, with Shahrukh not wanting to expose his double role to her (and there is an interesting short conversation between him and Vinay Pathak about whether this is being unfair to Taani, and Shahrukh wants to eventually see whether she will go with this new character, or stay with her boring husband, the Surinder Sahni from Tata Power). Taani finds herself more drawn to Raj, to the extent where she seeks him out, and accepts his offer to run away from there and change cities.
And then, the next morning (and I really loved both the Gurbani and the views of the Golden Temple in the movie), she sees things in a clear light. Her guiding principle (as influenced by Raj) is to see who does she see as being close to God, and she realizes that she cannot move away from her husband. She tells Raj so just before the dance contest finals, and then sees Surinder Sahni when the time comes for them to dance. And then she sees him dancing like Raj does, and then wham .. she realizes that her husband is the one who loves her more than anything else, he was willing to change roles, shed his old boring look, do whatever it takes to get her to come out her grief, and back to the same old full of life Taani. All this is beautifully shown when she is dancing with her husband, with the looks and flashbacks to support this.
This would have been the end of the movie, but there is a small touch that seemed to get audience support - Surinder and Taani have gone to Japan for a honeymoon (which he won by wrestling with a Sumo wrestler, an improbable scene), and they shows photos from there (with her now fully in love with him, and quite comfortable in being close to him), the audience in the hall where I was watching waited for this to end, even though it was already 12 at night.

Official movie site (link)

The songs by Salim-Sulaiman were impressive, with the following being the ones that moves me the most:
Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai - Separately by Roop Kumar Rathod and Shreya Ghoshal
Haule Haule - Sukhwinder Singh
Dance Pe Chance - Sunidhi Chauhan and Labh Janjua
Besides this, the Gurbani at the Golden Temple was most beautiful.

Lyrics from the movie:

Dance pe Chance MarLe (Singer(s): SUNIDHI CHAUHAN, LABH JANHUA)

Left Leg Aage Aage, Right Leg Pichay Pichay
Aaja Yaara Lets Start Ve
Sar Kho Gumale Round, Pear Zaara Up Down
Itni Si Ye Baat Ve
Woh Banda Hin Kya Hain, Jho Naache Na Gaaye
A Haaton Mein Tho Haath Thamle..
Oiii Dance Pe Chance Marle
Oh Soniya, Dance Pe Chance Marle
Oh Baaliye, Dance Pe Chance Marle
Oh Soniya, Dance Pe Chance Marle, Hainnn

(Peeche Peeche Aaya, Teri Chal Ven Dayaaa) - 2
Sano Lakh Hon Gaye Lashkaren, Ni Sano Tera Loang Lapiya
Dil Dekhe Tu Lejha Mundiyare, Ni Sano Tera Loang Lapiya

Oh Chal Haath Ghuma Le Yaara, Oh Jaise Soiya Saath Se Baara
Le Ban Gaya Step Soniya, Tu Ban Gaya Hep Soniya
Oh Zara Kamar Ko Aaise Ghumana, Oh Jaise Hawa Mein Aath Banana
Le Ban Gaya Step Soniya, Tu Ban Gaya Hep Soniya
Woh Banda Hin Kya Hain, Jho Naache Na Gaaye
Haaton Mein Tho Haath Thamle..
Oiii Dance Pe Chance Marle
Oh Soniya, Dance Pe Chance Marle
Oh Baaliye, Dance Pe Chance Marle
Oh Soniya, Dance Pe Chance Marle...

Oh Oh Oh Owwwww
(Gaali Tera Puth Tep Landa Tera Laalvi) - 2
Rup Te Laaniep Pernade Nussvani..
Gaali Teri, Gaali Teri, Gaali Teri....

Eak Haath Ko Ooncha Uthale, Oh Mandir Ki Gaanti Baajale
Le Ban Gaya Step Soniya, Tu Ban Gaya Hep Soniya
Hey, Hon Tu Jho Haath Hile Zara Neeche, Oh Jaise Uddthi Patang Koi Keenche
Le Ban Gaya Step Soniya, Tu Ban Gaya Hep Soniya
Woh Banda Hin Kya Hain, Jho Naache Na Gaaye
Haaton Mein Tho Haath Thamle..
Oiii Dance Pe, Dance Pe, Da Da Dance Pe Chance Marle
Oh Soniya, Dance Pe Chance Marle
Oh Baaliye, Dance Pe Chance Marle
Oh Soniya, Dance Pe Chance Marle..., Hain
Dance Peeeeeee, Dance Peeeeeeee
Dance Pe Chance Marle
Oh Soniya Dance Pe Chance Marleeeeeeee
Oh Soniye, Oh Soniye, Oh Soniye...

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Haule Haule Se Hawa Lagti Hai (Sung by SUKHVINDER SINGH )

(Haule Haule) - 4
Haule Haule Se Hawa Lagti Hai
Haule Haule Se Dawa Lagti Hai
Haule Haule Se Dua Lagti Hai, Haaan
Haaye, Haule Haule Chanda Badhta Hai
Haule Haule Ghonghat Uth Ta Hai
Haule Haule Se Nasha Chadhta Hai, Haan
Tu Sabar To Kar Mere Yaar, Zara Saans To Le Dildaar
Chal Fikar Nu Goli Maar Yaar Hai Din Jindai De Chaar
(Haule Haule Ho Jayega Pyaar Chal Yaar
Haule Haule Ho Jayega Pyaar) - 2
Haule Haule, Haule Haule
Haule Haule, Haule Haule
Haule Haule Ho Jayega Pyaar Chal Yaar
Haule Haule Ho Jayega Pyaar

(Pa Ni De , De Ga Pa Ma Ga Re) - 2
Pa Ni Ga , Ga Ma Ga Ma Ga Re
Pa Da Pa Ni Da Ma Pa Da Ma Ga Re

Risthon Ki Galiyaan Tang Hai
Sharmo Sharmliee Band Hai
Khud Se Khud Ki Yeh Kaise Jung Hai
Pal Pal Yeh Dil Ghabraye
Pal Pal Yeh Dil Sharmaye
Kuch Kehta Hai Aur Kuch Kar Jaaye
Kaise Yeh Peheli.. Muh Dil Mar Jana..
Ishq Mein Jaldi Bada Jurmaana
Tu Sabar To Kar Mere Yaar, Zara Saans To Le Dildaar
Chal Fikar Nu Goli Maar Yaar Hai Din Jindai De Chaar
(Haule Haule Ho Jayega Pyaar Chal Yaar
Haule Haule Ho Jayega Pyaar) - 2
Haule Haule, Haule Haule
Haule Haule, Haule Haule
Haaye Haule Haule Ho Jayega Pyaar Chal Yaar
Haule Haule Ho Jayega Pyaar

Rab Da Hi Tab Koi Hona, Karein Koi Yun Jaadu Tona
Maan Jaaye Maan Jaaye Haye Mera Sona..
Rab De Saare Chalde, Na Hai Kinare Chal De
Koi Hai Na Kahare Chal De
Kya Kheh Ke Gaya Tha Shayar Woh Shayana..
Aag Ka Dariya Doob Ke Jana
Tu Sabar To Kar Mere Yaar, Zara Saans To Le Dildaar
Chal Fikar Nu Goli Maar Yaar Hai Din Jindai De Chaar
(Haule Haule Ho Jayega Pyaar Chal Yaar
Haule Haule Ho Jayega Pyaar) - 2
Haule Haule , Haule Haule
Haule Haule , Haule Haule
Haaye Haule Haule Ho Jayega Pyaar Chal Yaar
Haule Haule Ho Jayega Pyaar
Haule Haule Se Dua Lagti Hai, Haaan

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Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte (Sung by Sonu Nigam)

Pam Pam, Pam Pam......
Awaaara, Pam Pam...

Pyaar Huaa Ikraar Huaa, Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan
In Baahon Kho, In Raahon Kho
Chod Ye Chaliyan, Jaye Kahan
Mana Dil Tho Hain Anaari, Yeh Awaara Hi Sahin
Aare Bhol Radha Bhol Hoga Sangam Ke Naahinnn
Har Janam Mein, Rang Badalke
Kaabhon Ke Paardon Pein Hum Khilte
(Hum Hain Raahi Pyar Ke, Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte) - 2

[ Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte Song Lyrics @ http://www.hindilyrix.com ]

Dil Ka Bhawar Kare, Kare Pukar Jab, Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hain
Jiya Ohh Jiya Kuch Boldon, Aab Dard Sa Dil Mein Hotha Hain
(Thede De E E Ohhh) - 2
Ohh Tere Ghar Ke Samne Ghar Banaonga, Thootha Hi Sahin
Pal Bhar Ke Liye Koi Hume Pyar Karle, Jhootha Hin Sahin
Jhootha Hin Sahin, Hain Jhootha Hin Sahinnn
Har Janam Mein, Rang Badalke
Kaabhon Ke Paardon Pein Hum Khilte
(Hum Hain Raahi Pyar Ke, Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte) - 2

Yahoooo Yahoooooo

Ohhhh Hasina, Zulfoon Wali Jaane Jahaaaan
Chahe Mujhko, Jaangli Kehde Saara Jahaaaaan, Have Tooo
(Ohhh Mehfil Mehfil Dil Phire, Yaho Yaho Dil Kare) - 2
Badan Pein Sitare Lapete Hue
Har Janam Mein, Rang Badalke
Kaabhon Ke Paardon Pein Hum Khilte
( Hum Hain Raahi Pyar Ke, Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte ) - 2

Bamoshaiiii…
Ohooo Hen Hen Hen…Ahhhhhhhh

Hain Jai Jai Shiv Shankar, Kata Lage Na Kankar
Chahe Kuch Karle Zamana
Mere Jeewan Saathi, Mere Sapno Ki Raani
Zindagi Safar Hain Suhana
Hain Kuch Tho Log Kahenge, Na Suna Ki Jiye
Hain Chain Aaye Mere Dil Ko Duwa Ki Jiye
Har Janam Mein, Rang Badalke
Kaabhon Ke Paardon Pein Hum Khilte
( Hum Hain Raahi Pyar Ke, Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte ) - 2

(Pa Pa Para Pa Ra Paaa) - 4
Zu Zu Zu Zu Zu Zu Zu Zu…

(Darde Dil Darde Jigar, Zamane Kho Dikhana Hain) - 2
Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin Hain, Tujko A Batha Na Hain
Yeh Wada Raha, Ohhh Meri Chaandni..
Har Janam Mein, Rang Badalke
Kaabhon Ke Paardon Pein Hum Khilte
Hum Hain Raahi Pyar Ke, Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte
Hum Hain Raahi Pyar Ke, Ah Ah Ah Ah Chalte Chalte
Hennnnnnnnnnnn Ahhh Chalte Chalte
Hum Hain Raahi Pyar Ke, Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte

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Tujhe Mein Rab Dikhta Hai (Sung by ROOP KUMAR RATHOD)

Tu Hi To Jannat Meri, Tu Hi Mera Junnon
Tu Hi To Mannat Meri, Tu Hi Rooh Ka Sukun
Tu Hi Ankhiyon Ki Thandak, Tu Hi Dil Ki Hai Dastak
Aur Kuch Na Janu Mein, Bas Itna Hi Jaanu..
(Tujhe Mein Rab Dikhta Hai, Yaara Mein Kya Karu) - 2
Sajde Sae Jhukta Hai, Yaara Mein Kya Karu
Tujhe Mein Rab Dikhta Hai, Yaara Mein Kya Karu..

Kaise Hai Yeh Doori, Kaise Majboori
Mene Nazaron Se Tujhe Choo Liya
Kabhi Teri Khusboo, Kabhi Teri Baatein
Bin Maange Yeh Jahan Pa Liya
Tu Hi Dil Ki Ha Rounak, Tu Hi Janmon Ki Daulat
Aur Kuch Na Janu, Bas Itna Hi Janu..
(Tujhe Mein Rab Dikhta Hai, Yaara Mein Kya Karu) - 2
Sajde Sae Jhukta Hai, Yaara Mein Kya Karu
Tujhe Mein Rab Dikhta Hai, Yaara Mein Kya Karu..

Vaasdi Vaasdi Vaasdi, Dil Di Dil Vich Vaasdi
Naasdi Naasdi Naasdi, Dil Ro Ve The Naasdi
Rab Ne... Bana Di Jodi.....
Vaasdi Vaasdi Vaasdi, Dil Di Dil Vich Vaasdi
Naasdi Naasdi Naasdi, Dil Ro Ve The Naasdi

Cham Cham Aaye, Mujhe Tarshaye
Tera Shaya Ched Ke Chumta..
O O, Tu Jo Muskaye, Tu Jo Sharmaye
Jaise Mera Hai Khuda Jhomta..
Tu Hi Meri Barkart, Tu Hi Meri Ibaadat
Aur Kuch Na Janu, Bas Itna Hi Janu..
(Tujhe Mein Rab Dikhta Hai, Yaara Mein Kya Karu) - 2
Sajde Sae Jhukta Hai, Yaara Mein Kya Karu
Tujhe Mein Rab Dikhta Hai, Yaara Mein Kya Karu

Vaasdi Vaasdi Vaasdi, Dil Di Dil Vich Vaasdi
Naasdi Naasdi Naasdi, Dil Ro Ve The Naasdi
Rab Ne... Bana Di Jodi.....

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Tujhe Mein Rab Dikhta Hai (Female) (Sung by Shreya Ghoshal)

Na Kuch Poocha, Na Kuch Manga
Tune Dil Se Diya Jo Diya
Na Kuch Bola, Na Kuch Tola
Muskura Ke Diya Jo Diya
Tu Hi Dhoop, Tu Hi Chau
Tu Hi Apna Paraya
Aur Kuch Na Janu, Bas Itna Hi Janu
(Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai, Yaara Mein Kya Karun) - 2
Sajde Sar Jhukta Hai, Yaara Mein Kya Karun
Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai, Yaara Mein Kya Karun
Rab Ne.. Bana Di Jodii.....