Don’t love me so much, please…

Actually, it cannot be really considered a throwback to the olden days of Indian cinema. Still, one old-fashioned trend existed for a brief while, at least as far as the first phase of Salman Khan’s films went. From his major hit ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ of 1989 and many others which followed till his film ‘Love’ released in 1991,

Sallu lip synched most of his songs by only one playback singer – the southern sensation, SP Balasubrahmanyam, who was by then his onscreen voice of sorts. A mirror reflection of the times when Mukesh sang his heart out for Raj Kapoor, Mohammed Rafi added his silken charm to the amazing screen presence of Dilip Kumar and last but not the least, Kishore Da showcasing the superstar Rajesh Khanna’s histrionic abilities to dizzying heights with his versatile renditions.

After all, it was the ‘90s when the world of celluloid was face to face with so many developments – new stars, new technology, new markets and above all new audience trends. Still, the remake business was going nowhere and the 1989 Telugu film ‘Prema’ (produced by the legendary D Ramanaidu starring his son Venkatesh and Revathi ) morphed into the obvious title ‘Love’ two years later. The melodrama and tragic ending of the original was tweaked into a happy one in Hindi but still it did not bring any cheer for the producers at the box-office!

A reality check also took place for southern film music directors, who were till then conveniently ripping off Hindi film tunes and indigenising it to suit the local market. Every film industry of south India had such copycats but Anand-Milind, who shot to fame with ‘Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak’ in 1988 paid back the Madras music wallahs in the same coin by lifting their hit songs, lock, stock and barrel.

Ilaiyarajaa was his obvious choice as Rajaa was the king in both Tamil and Telugu cinema during that phase. All he had to do was set the lyrics to the mesmerising stuff of the maestro and his job was done and dusted.

The song of the week- “Saathiya Tune Kya Kiya” - is one such attempt. A lovely night shot in an empty stadium comes to life with the high pitched humming of KS Chitra, a popular name by then in southern film industry. The percussion beat obviously sets the mood as SPB in his boisterous, modulated tone intones: “Saathiya, tune kya kiya….”

The chemistry between the lead pair seems good and Sallu, the genuinely boyish looks still intact takes off in right earnest with a playful Revathi playing the perfect counterfoil. As he was famous for during that period, the Khan antics – balancing himself on narrow spaces and buffooning around continues in this film too.

The goofing around continues in a gaudily coloured backdrop as the lovers rush into each other’s arms and failing to connect every time. More hyper activity by the hero follows as he is not the type to sit still having a bombshell next to him! The ‘Aashiqui’ effect of two people snug inside one pullover, the height of physical proximity those days is on show here too. One yearns, in a way, for such simple times when duets used to just flow like a breeze without the need to spotlight the dancing skills of the lead pair!

“Kaise hue hum ek jaan ek dil, tu hai ki main hoon, kehna hai mushkil” goes the lyrics, the master Majrooh spinning magic in simple words. A virtual montage of shots from a sprawling waterfront to indoor tight close-ups form the visual support to the song as its mood sort of involves the viewer.

SM Anwar, the cinematographer has his funda clear- to unleash a series of well-crafted shots, playing up the colour and the impact rather well. It comes out clearly, as the song sees both Salman and Revathy strumming a guitar, sitting on the beach sand among a series of earthen lamps highlighting the word Love written in bold letters! Aching romance this, one concludes.

Song: Saathiya Tune Kya Kiya

Film: Love (1991)

Singers: SPB, Chitra

Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Music: Anand Milind

By:K Naresh Kumar