Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United is the third film to feature Salman Khan with Rajshri Productions. Principal photography took place in Mumbai and various locations in Rajasthan. The film's cinematography was done by Rajan Kinagi. Raamlaxman composed its music and lyrics are written by Dev Kohli.[6]
Hum Saath Saath Hain was released on 5 November 1999, and eventually became the highest grossing film of the year and one of biggest blockbusters of the decade,[7] with a worldwide gross of ₹81.7 crore (US$18.98 million).[3] It received predominantly positive reviews from critics. It was also the first Bollywood film to be played in Canadian theatres, with six screenings in Toronto. The film was also dubbed in Telugu and released with the title Premanuragam.[8]
In the past Ramkishan Chaturvedi, a rich businessman loses his first wife Lakshmi. They have a one-year old son, Vivek. Ramkishan remarries the kind Mamta, and Vivek also accepts and respects her as his mother. Later the two have three kids: Prem, Sangeeta, and Vinod. Seven years later, while trying to save Prem and Vinod from a probable accident, Vivek is injured which leaves his right arm partially paralyzed.
Nineteen years later, Prem returns home from US after completing his studies and getting trained in the family business. Sangeeta is happily married to her husband Anand and they have a daughter Radhika. Vinod is busy with studies and preparing for his training in the family business. Vivek is still undergoing treatment for his hand and takes care of the family business. On Ramkishan and Mamta's anniversary function, the four siblings wish them with respect.
Seeing Vivek's love for them, Ramkishan's business associate Adarsh's daughter Sadhna likes him at first sight. Adarsh sends a marriage proposal to Ramkishan's family. Vivek agrees and marries Sadhna. Prem and Preeti, Ramkishan's friend Pritam's daughter have been in love secretly since childhood, and they get engaged. Vinod is secretly in love with Sapna who is the daughter of Ramkishan's former neighbor in his ancestral village, Dharamraj Bajpai. Eventually, Prem and Preeti find out about Vinod and Sapna during a family outing and Vivek's and Sadhna’s honeymoon at Rampur, which they both get engaged as well. Ramkishan makes Vivek the managing director of his company.
A bitter turn comes when Anand's brother Anurag cheats him for inheritance and share in the family business, and Anand & Sangeeta should look for a separate business and a separate home for themselves, so they decide to shift to Bangalore for a growing computer industry. This incident triggers insecurity in Mamta's mind. Meanwhile, her three friends and Dharamraj fill her head with thoughts as to why Vivek should be in charge of the family business and the company as the managing director. If so, then Vivek may throw Prem and Vinod along with Preeti and Sapna out of the house. This thought makes Mamta very paranoid.
She questions Ramkishan's decision and wants the division of the business equally between all their children. He disagrees as it will divide the family. Heartbroken, after finding out about it, Vivek asks Ramkishan to put Prem in charge of the family business and the company as the managing director and moves back to their ancestral village Rampur with a pregnant Sadhna to take care of the new factory. Vinod accompanies them.
Prem refuses to replace Vivek as head of the family business and the managing director. Vivek convinces him to go along with the plan in the interest of preventing further conflict within the family. Prem tells Mamta that he won't marry and can't replace Vivek and Sadhna like she wants. Eventually, Anurag realizes his mistake and unites with Anand and Sangeeta.
Sangeeta asks Mamta to bring back Vivek. Mamta realizes her mistakes and visits Rampur with Ramkishan. In the hospital, Sadhna delivers a baby boy. Vivek and Mamta reconcile. Later, Prem and Vinod marry Preeti and Sapna, respectively. Dharamraj apologises and realizes that ill-manner cannot end the love in the family. Vivek, with his right arm now healed, returns as the managing director of the company, and becomes in charge of the family business again. And they all live happily ever after for Vivek-Sadhna, Prem-Preeti, Anand-Sangeeta, and Vinod-Sapna.
Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United's concept was conceived by Sooraj Barjatya, who wanted to make a family drama.[11][12][13] The film is produced under his banner Rajshri Productions, the 48th film under the banner and Barjatya's third film as a director. The film was a modern day adaptation of the epic Ramayana.[14][15] Lyricist Raghvendra Singh worked as an assistant director for the film.[16]
Salman Khan was cast as Prem, marking his eighth film with the same character name. Salman at that point, found the character to be "similar to him" in real life.[19][20] For Preeti's role, Barjatya first approached Raveena Tandon, who refused the part due to it being a multi-starrer.[21] Later, Sonali Bendre was cast as Dr. Preeti. It marked Bendre's only film opposite Salman Khan.[19] Bendre said that she knew exactly what she was "supposed to do" for her character, after the narration.[22]
Vivek's role was first offered to Anil Kapoor and later to Rishi Kapoor but after their refusal, Mohnish Bahl was cast as Vivek. Bahl made it a habit to keep his right hand in his pocket, as per the role's requirement.[23] Bahl called Vivek’s character "an opportunity of a lifetime".[20] Barjatya approached Madhuri Dixit for Sadhna's role, who declined. Manisha Koirala was offered the role, who refused due to filming of her film Mann.[24][25] Finally Tabu was cast as Sadhna.[23]
Later, Karisma Kapoor (as Sapna), Saif Ali Khan (as Vinod) and Neelam (as Sangita) were cast.[26][27] Kapoor called working with Barjatya a "dream come true" experience.[20] The makers offered Rishi Kapoor, Anand's role, but he again refused, it was then offered to Nitish Bhardwaj, who refused too. Finally Mahesh Thakur was cast as Anand.[28][29]
During the post-production stage of the film, the filmmaker announced a unique campaign for its promotions. The team of Hum Saath-Saath Hain and Coca-Cola launched a nationwide marketing programme called 'Coca-Cola Hum Saath Saath Hain'.[37] The common ad campaign laid equal focus on both the soft drink brand and the film.[38] The Barjatyas were quite press-friendly during the making of their previous films, but for Hum Saath-Saath Hain, the press screening was restricted to an elite few.[31]
Controversy
During the Jodhpur film schedule in 1998, some members of the cast, Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Neelam Kothari, Tabu, and Sonali Bendre, were involved in a case of shooting of an endangered black buck on a hunting expedition, on the outskirts of Kankani village in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan.[39][40][41] The incident generated significant press coverage and Salman Khan spent a week in Jodhpur jail in 2007, before the court granted him bail.[42] In 2018, the Jodhpur court convicted him and acquitted the others.[43][44] In 2019, Rajasthan High Court issued a notice challenging the acquittal of Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Saif.[45]
Raamlaxman plagiarised the melody for the song "A B C D" from the Spanish singer Jeanette's 1974 song "Porque te vas".[47] The remaining songs on the album include the title track "Hum Saath Saath Hain", the wedding tracks "Chhote Chhote Bhaiyon Ke" and "Sunoji Dulhan", "Yeh To Sach Hai Ki Bhagwan Hai", "Mhare Hiwda" and "Maiyya Yashoda".[48]
Hum Saath-Saath Hain (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)[49]
Savera R Someshwar of Rediff.com said "..It is time for Barjatya to look out for a new music director. Even the lyrics – barring "Maare Hidwa Ma Naache Mor" and "Mayya Yashoda" – are banal...".[51]
Charts and sales
The music topped the charts on several platforms in India. According to Box Office India, the soundtrack of Hum Saath-Saath Hain went on to sell 18 lakh (1.8million) units, becoming the twelfth best-selling album of the year.[52]
Release
Hum Saath-Saath Hain was released earlier but the music director Raamlaxman took time to check the soundtrack album for the second time to not make any mistake.[53][33] Following all the post-production, cinematography, choreography and other things were completed, the film finally hit the theatre screens on 5 November 1999 during Diwali. It became the first Bollywood film to be played in Canadian theatres, with six screenings in Toronto.[54]Eros Entertainment released the film on over 60 screens in North America, the biggest opening for any film then.[55] The film was also dubbed in Telugu and released with the title Premanuragam. Hum Saath-Saath Hain was later made available on Netflix and Zee5.[56][57]
Reception
Critical reception
Anupama Chopra of India Today noted, "A time-warped patriarchal fantasy, but somehow HSSH glows with Barjatya's conviction. Despite the diabetic sweetness, it has some wonderfully crafted moments. It's maudlin and regressive but he believes in it. And at least partially, he makes you believe in it too."[58]
Savera R Someshwar of Rediff.com stated, "Barjatya's film is pure escapism, very feel-good. While you are ensconced with the moving images, you smile, laugh, feel sad, and maybe even a little angry. Hum Saath-Saath Hain is an enjoyable experience, especially if you contain yourself from comparing it to Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!"[51]
Alok Kumar of Planet Bollywood wrote, "Hum Saath-Saath Hain is repetitive, sickeningly sweet, and sappy. Though, the performances were pretty good from the whole cast. If you're a Barjatya fan, you should watch this, as it's almost guaranteed you will love it."[59]
Box office
Hum Saath-Saath Hain became the highest grossing film of the year, with a worldwide gross of ₹81.71 crore (US$18.98 million). It became one of the biggest blockbusters of the decade.[7][60] It is one of the top earners of the decade in India and at the foreign box office.[3][61] When adjusted for inflation, Hum Saath-Saath Hain is still among the highest grossers worldwide.[62]Rediff.com termed Hum Saath-Saath Hain, a "Super Hit" and the "biggest hit" of 1999.[63] The film is also among the highest grossing Diwali releases in India.[64]
Hum Saath-Saath Hain remains one of the most popular family drama film of Indian cinema.[71][72] It is also considered among the best ensemble cast films by Filmfare.[73]India Today added it in its list of "10 evergreen Hindi films".[74]Indian Express named it Barjatiya's one of the "most family-friendly" flicks.[75] The film is also listed among the best films made on siblings relationship.[76][77]
Navya Kharbanda of Hindustan Times termed it a "cinematic masterpiece" and stated, "The film continues to captivate audiences with its themes of family bonds, love, and traditions."[78] Aakriti Anand of Filmfare stated that the film justified its title "to the fullest" and termed it an "out-and-out family entertainer".[23][79] Vibha Maru from India Today noted, "The film set a template of how family films are to be made. Hum Saath Saath Hain was also a rare film that saw so many popular actors together on the big screen; something that is hard to imagine today."[80] The songs of the film are highly popular. Songs like "Sunoji Dulhan", "Mhare Hiwda" and "Maiyya Yashoda" have become synonym with the wedding, monsoon and festive seasons.[81][82][83] Actor Vicky Kaushal admitted to being a fan of the film and said that it is "etched in his mind".[84] The film also has over 1.9 billion views on YouTube.[85]
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