Customer Reviews

Vivah

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

So, just this once, toss those hip modern values out the window along with that bathwater. This movie is VIVAH, and it unabashedly hearkens back to India's more traditional conventions, and specifically that of the arranged marriage. Released in 2006 VIVAH tells the story of two young people, Prem and Poonam, strangers to one another yet destined to be wedded. So it'd be nice if they like each other.

Poonam (Amrita Rao) is an orphaned girl from the small town of Madhupur, who was raised in her uncle's household. She is beautiful and demure and brought up to be obedient and traditional. Despite this, her aunt dislikes her intensely, simply because Poonam is far prettier than her own daughter, never mind that Poonam and her daughter get along very well. Poonam has tried to make the best of it, basking in the love lavished on her by her doting uncle and cousin. But, all her life, she's longed for a mother's affection...

Prem (Shahid Kapoor) is the youngest son of an industrial magnate in Delhi. Carefree and just about to settle into his career, Prem is very surprised and unprepared when his father proposes an arranged marriage for him. Yet Prem is respectful enough to at least meet his potential bride, an act which proves fatal to his bachelorhood. Instantly charmed by Poonam, Prem promptly gives the nod to the marriage contract. As for Poonam, it's hard to tell what she's really thinking because she's so damned demure, but she seems to reciprocate Prem's interest. So the contract is finalized, friendships are struck, a romance is fostered, and the nuptials set to take place in six months' time.

As the following weeks and months elapse and the families get better acquainted, Poonam and Prem continue to get ever closer, until that old familiar happens: Poonam and Prem fall in love. And, suddenly, the big day can't come soon enough. But complications surface. Poonam's aunt still bears her a deep jealous resentment and, so, what should have been an idyllic time for Poonam is sabotaged by her aunt's venomous snipings at her uncle, over his extravagant financing of the wedding and over his seeming disregard for his own daughter's future prospects. Then, on the eve of the wedding, a life-threatening tragedy unfolds, and Poonam and Prem and their families will be tested as never before.

Even in Bollywood cinema, the idea of the arranged marriage has taken its share of negative hits. So, every once in a while, for balance's sake, it's nice to see a film which espouses the positives of this age-old institution. I don't necessarily agree with it as I'm more with the free choice side of the fence. But it's nice to hear from the other point of view. And, more importantly, while not a classic, I do think VIVAH is a movie worth watching. It certainly did well enough at India's box office.

Granted, not much of a plot here in VIVAH. Basically, the film is built on simple moments as it tracks the progression of the arranged marriage, from the contractual conception to the courtship to the consummation of the marriage ceremony. Nothing gossip-worthy happens, and, other than the virulent aunt, all is easy-peasy until the last thirty minutes when the tragic twist surfaces. Sadly, the musical interludes are lackluster. And the sedate pacing and lack of narrative punch might've turned me off, except that the superb cast managed to keep me involved. These characters are likable enough (except for the aunt) that you even get immersed in the slow scenes. VIVAH applies a huge chunk of the running time in developing Poonam and Prem's blossoming relationship, as they overcome their mutual shyness and awkwardness and begin to fall for each other. Theirs isn't a raging romance. Their subdued personalities don't lend too much to fiery, over-the-top demonstrations, although there is a moment when Prem shouts "I love you!" in an airport. Rather, theirs is a connection arrived at by achieving a certain mutual comfort level and by clinging to a commitment to and a respect for traditional culture and customs. But, also, that they're both very attractive people probably didn't hurt any.

Again, the glue of VIVAH is the cast. The two young leads, Shahid Kapoor and the ravishing Amrita Rao, turn in sensitive, if bland, performances. The supporting actors turn out to be as equally important. Particularly great are Anupam Kher and Alok Nath, who respectively play Prem's wealthy but grounded father and Poonam's loving uncle and surrogate father. And the fact that you end up hating on Poonam's dour-faced aunt is, of course, a reflection of Seema Biswas's very good acting skills.

For those with the 2-dvd set, the first disc has the film and song selections. The second disc contains the 19-minute-long "Making of the Film" featurette (average) and the 21-minute-long "Making of the Music" (dull).

Graced with a gentle, low key charm and a heartwarming simplicity, the waterworks really come on in the tense and emotional last half hour (Grab your hanky). And yet VIVAH may prove to be too Pollyanna for some. Are arranged marriages really this wonderful? Does love really come after marriage? Well, no, and sometimes. VIVAH is a celebration of this institution and is, for all purposes, a Bollywood fairy tale, an idealization of arranged matrimony. As such, it's about as real and convincing as, well, as a Bollywood motion picture. Would that all arranged marriages work as well as this one did.

I firs caught this movie on YouTube, and I instantly fell in love with it. It shows how true love could and should be,unconditionally supportive and caring. Some people may say that it is too "fluffy, sweet" but isn't that what we crave after maybe s bad day or week.This movie in my opinion is an instant remedy for a bad day,week, month, bad anything. period the end.

The main story focuses on the growing relationship between the main characters, but the relationships between the main characters and other members of the family as well as the two families, form a core part of the story development. All the characters were great in their roles, particularly the main characters. There is a lot of subtlety in expression and body language that's wonderfully expressive. The music fit very nicely. It's a long movie and it would be hard for me to cut anything. Definitely have a hanky for a rough patch. Very sweet treat without crossing the line to syrupy. I can't bring myself to subtract from the rating for it, but I do wish the "extras" DVD contained deleted scenes.

Vivah is a great movie, but its different from typical Bollywood cinema. Today most films that are about love conquering all scorn the subject of arranged marriages, and in most the lovers are trying to avoid them (like in DDLJ or Jab We Met). That is not the plot of Vivah. The film is a kind of argument for arranged marriage, or what arranged marriages should be like: they should be carefully considered, the two people should be a good match and given time to get to know one another before the wedding, and it should not be about money. The story is the poster child for this more conservative look on love (Also see Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam for another film with a more conservative look on marriage and love).

That said, Vivah is a great film. The acting is well done, especially the leads, the family dynamics are interesting, and while the music isn't the most flashy I've seen, it is enjoyable. The story is about Prem and Pooman, who are each from conservative Hindi families who want to see them married and happy. Prem's family is upper class and owns a big business; Poonam is an orphan who grew up living with her uncle's middle class family, helping with the small family business and never quite being excepted by her aunt. They meet and agree to marry, and in the months grow to love each other, while dealing with wedding drama and an unexpected accident. In the end it's a film to watch if you've had a bad day, are in the mood for a fluffy sweet story, or need a good dose of "the world isn't as bad a we think it is."

I gave this four stars when it deserves five because of the film quality. It is not the two disc version that many have reviewed, so if you think that's what your getting, read the info again. It is an all regions, Hindi language, English subtitle version. It doesn't have a menu, and you select scenes using your remote. The picture isn't the best, more like your watching a Hindi movie made in the late 80s or early 90s as apposed to the quality of today's films. It takes a minute or two to get used to it, so be warned it won't look the best on a big screen (our TV is a 44in flat screen and it still looked ok and i was able to enjoy the film without any complaints). This is apparently because its not anamorphic or some technical term like that, basically its the on demand version. If you want extras and great quality, buy the original off another vender. If you just want the movie and are not picky (or just used to the quality of older films that get transferred to DVD) this is a good option.

Beautiful love story. Shahid and Amrita make a lovely couple.
I've watched this movie so many times and I can still watch it again!!!

I've seen this movie before, but when my sister ordered it for me she didn't realize it was made on demand, so basically its a copy. Very blurry and not a good quality film. Do yourself a favor and order an original from one of the vendors.

A beautiful orphan named Poonam (played by Amrita Rao) is despised by the jealous aunt who raised her, but in this Cinderella story, her ugly cousin loves her like a sister and her kind uncle finds her a Prince Charming to marry. Prem (Shahid Kapoor) is the handsome son of a wealthy industrialist and he's dragging his feet about marriage--until the sight of Poonam rocks him back on his heels. Arranged marriage is very foreign to most Americans, but when seen from the perspective of the parties involved, it doesn't seem so strange. The couple decides after one meeting (with their families)--during which sparks fly--that they want to marry. Talk about speed dating! But it's surprisingly romantic. As the families prepare for the wedding and the couple embarks on a sweet post-engagement courtship, there's little conflict in the story, but with all the delicious tension between the two lead characters, who are going to burst if they don't get their hands on each other, who cares? And when conflict finally comes two-thirds of the way through the film, putting their love to the test, it's a doozy. - The Bollywood Ticket: The American guide to Indian movies (Subscribe: The Bollywood Ticket)

I'm a big fan of Bollywood (even though I'm not Indian!). I've watched dozens of Bollywood films, including the most famous ones and I have to say that this is one of the best I've seen. It's on par with Dilwale Dulhani Le Jayenge and the other classics. It's also based on a true story! I absolutely love Shahid Kapoor and he shines in this movie. Very highly recommended! A movie to watch over and over again!

I absolutely love this movie! The characters are awesome and the story is sweet. It contains romance, sillyness, and wonderful examples of what real men are like! Shahid Kapur made a great hero. Amrita Rao is even more beautiful inside than out! The family relationships portrayed are something to strive to live up to! Love it and watch it over again every couple of months, which says a lot given that I have a fairly large movie collection and Netflix membership. This is worth buying.

I love this story, I don't understand the language well but it was well acted out. The actors were amazing.