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Sir Anil to the rescue!

Sukanya Verma

Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai has one truth to assert: There is life after rape.

Witness to murder most foul, Preeti (Aishwarya Rai) testifies against Bhavani Chaudhari (Mukesh Rishi). Determined to teach her a lesson, his younger brother Babloo (Puru Raaj Kumar) rapes her. Enter do-gooder Avinash (Anil Kapoor), who shelters her along with his own step-siblings, and helps her retain her lost dignity. Love blossoms in this homely setup and Avinash proposes to Preeti. She refuses, mistaking his love for pity.

Further twist in the tale is Avinash's childhood friend Khushi (Sonali Bendre), who dreams of marrying him. Tears, emotional overload and sacrifice lead to the climax.

Even so, the film works. Two reasons: solid performances and a sound script. Anil Kapoor's performance is the most notable. His is a very 1990s' character -- courageous, gutsy, taking (and accepting) people as they are.

Aishwarya Rai conveys the turmoil and pain of a rape victim well. But it is her transition from an emotional wreck trying to gather the broken pieces of her life back together that is amazing. Apart from a restrained performance, she also looks like a million bucks.

Despite her abbreviated role, Sonali Bendre is charming as a bubbly, gregarious person. Although one did wish she wouldn’t jump so much. Puru Raaj Kumar is a sheer disappointment. He makes a smashing impact -- until he opens his mouth. His squeaky dialogue delivery needs major working on!

We could have done without the streched comic relief scenes projecting the multi-community complex in which Avinash and Preeti reside in.

Director Satish Kaushik has, thankfully, not gone over the top with this film, as he did with Hum Aapke Dil Main Rehte Hain.

What makes this film plausible is the fact that the rape victim is shown picking up the pieces after her trauma, and leading a normal life. A sincere venture, this one.

CREDITS:
Producer: Boney Kapoor
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai, Sonali Bendre, Puru Raaj Kumar, Anupam Kher, Johny Lever, Jaspal Bhatti, Mukesh Rishi, Himani Shivpuri, Taanaz Currim, Anang Desai and Smita Jayakar
Music: Sanjeev Darshan
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Cinematography: Kabir Lal
Choreography: Raju Khan and Nimesh Acharya

Official web site of the film