Saathiya (2002)
With “life partner” being its English translation, this was a story and movie which was hard to miss. Boasting compositions from A. R. Rahman and produced under the Yashraj banner, this simple love story gets all the votes for the year. Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukerji were the main leads, with cameos from Shah Rukh Khan and Tabu. Oberoi was recognised as a chocolate boy hero in his performance as the head-over-heels Adi. Mukerji received critical acclaim for her rendition of Suhani. The music and lyrics were also well-liked.
The story surrounded the two lovers eloping to get wed against their family’s wishes as well as marital “un-bliss” soon after. It seems the realness of the emotions and characters is what made the film a favourite and Oberoi’s lover boy portrayal is still remembered to this day, as are the romantic guy-chases-girl scenes between the two in the first half of the movie.
2002 cannot be revisited without a mention of the remake of Devdas and Na Tum Jaano Na Hum; a love story about pen pals.
