Straight from the heart

Priyanka Bhattacharya

Relationships.

This one word is suffice to describe the gist of the entire film.

Tera Mera Saath Rahen takes a kaleidoscopic view of all the relationships a man enters during his normal course of life. It also takes a closer look at a smaller segment of society with which all of us empathise at some point or the other.

The plot revolves around a middle-class bachelor Raj Dixit (Ajay Devgan). The story deals with Raj's life and his relationships with different people that come in it.

For one there is Mr and Mrs Gupta (Shivaji Satam and Reema Lagoo) who are Raj's friends and neighbours. They have a daughter Suman (Namrata Shirodkar) who is in love with Raj.

Then there is Madhuri (Sonali Bendre) who Raj loves but cannot commit to because of his responsibilities towards his family.

Last and most importantly is Raj's special bonding with his mentally challenged brother, Rahul (Dushyant Wagh), that forms the main crux of the story.

Without dwelling too much on any one aspect Mahesh Manjrekar manages to touch upon many issues with short but effective messages. Be it old age, corruption or the society's cruelties towards the disabled.

In continuing with his early tradition, Manjrekar has made a simplistic, realistic film which manages to touch your heart.

On the acting front, it would be suffice to say that Ajay Devgan is nothing short of superb.

Namrata Shirodkar, Shivaji Satam and Reema who also provide the comic relief in the film ably support him.

Sonali Bendre looks pretty but is not given much scope to act.

The highlight is, but of course, Dushyant Wagh's endearing performance. He makes you laugh, he makes you cry, and he makes you become a part of his life.

Tera Mera Saath Rahen is well executed and edited except for a couple of unnecessary songs which could have been easily deleted.

In a nutshell, this is one film after a long time that you wouldn't want to miss. An advice for the overly sensitive types -- remember to carry a napkin. You may need it.