The Indian movie Saathiya is a remake of Mani Ratnam`s South Indian flick `Alai Payuthe`. This Bollywood movie is the directorial debut of director Shaad Ali and produced by Mani Ratnam and Yash Chopra under the banner of Yash Raj Films. The soulful soundtrack was composed by A.R. Rahman and the lyrics penned by the maestro Gulzar. The movie, Saathiya was the second instalment for the newcomer Vivek Oberoi, whose first movie was the gritty crime thriller called Company. Starring opposite Vivek was Rani Mukerji as the love interest; the movie also had Shah Rukh Khan and Tabu appearing in extended special appearances.

Plot of Saathiya
Saathiya continues on, from where most love stories end. From the infatuation stage when a couple thinks they are in love right through to when a couple discovers the true meaning of love. Aditya (Vivek Oberoi) and Suhani (Rani Mukerji) met and fell in love. But when they eloped and set up home hoping that just love will do the trick, it was just the beginning of their story. The storyline is somewhat common, based on the theme of lovers facing parental opposition, getting married in secret and then parting ways. The film takes off on a mushy note in the first half with Vivek chasing Rani in Mumbai trains. Both Vivek and Rani have delivered commendable performances and the chemistry between the two is superb throughout the film. A major part of the movie happens in flashback interspersed with moments in the present.

In the first half of the movie, the director develops the characters and gives the audience an insight to the blossoming romance between Aditya and Suhani. When Aditya, a young law student meets Suhani, a medical student, at a wedding function, he falls head over heels for her. He follows her relentlessly in the local trains. Suhani, who is a daughter of a simple railway employee played by Sharat Saxena and Tanuja, initially brushes him off because she wants to become a successful doctor and make her parents happy. However, his persistence pays off and she agrees.

They soon decide to get married but Aditya`s rich lifestyle and Suhani`s middle class status creates a rift between their parents. The couple elopes and gets married in a small ceremony. At first, they live in their respective homes and keep their marriage a secret. However, when a proposal comes for Suhani`s elder sister, the truth comes out. Aditya and Suhani then move to a dilapidated house and start their married life together. Thus, ensues the trials and tribulations of married life and the couple soon realises that marriage isn"t something so hunky dory like they portray it in movies and romantic novels.

In the second half the movie gets serious as Ali focuses more on the petty tiffs and spats that drive a wedge between the once happily married couple. Suhani begins to suspect Aditya of having an affair and he is caught thick in the daily chores of providing for his newfound domestic life. In one such day the couple begin to argue and Suhani runs away from home. She meets an accident and goes into a coma. While desperately searching for his wife, Aditya realises how deeply he loves her and is shattered to hear about the accident. A lot happens in between but he finally finds her in the hospital as Suhani regains consciousness, the couple hug and make up and the movie ends on a happy note.

Cast and Crew of Saathiya
The star cast of the film `Saathiya` includes Rani Mukherjee, Vivek Oberoi, Tanuja, Satish Shah, Sharat Saxena, Swaroop Sampat, Sandhya Mridul, Anju Mahendru, Tabu and Shahrukh Khan. Shamita Shetty was in a special role in an item song called `Chori Pe Chori`. The dialogue of the film is written by Sampooran Singh Gular and lyrics has been penned by Gulzar.

Soundtrack of Saathiya
The soundtrack of the movie Saathiya was recorded in the Panchathan Record Inn under the Sa Re Ga Ma record label. A.R. Rahman produced and composed the music and re-used all of his compositions from the soundtrack of the Tamil film `Alai Payuthe`, with the exception of two songs, "Mere Yaar Mila De" and "Naina Milaike" which replaced their Tamil counterparts "Evano Oruvan" and "Alaipayuthey". The soundtrack turned out to be one of the strong points of the film. Saathiya won most of the music awards. According to the Indian trade website Box Office India, with around 20, 00, 000 units sold, this film`s soundtrack album was 2002"s second highest-selling.