The Indian film, `Salaam Namaste`, is directed by Siddharth Anand while it is produced by Yash Chopra and Aditya Chopra. It is about two Indians living in Melbourne, Australia and follows one year of their lives, dealing with their problems and relationships together. This was the first Bollywood film to be shot entirely in Australia. This is a movie reflecting the different highs, lows trials and tribulations of a live-in relationship. It is easy to fall in love, but difficult to commit to a lifelong relationship. Beyond the night parties and walks into the sunset, when two lovers begin to live together in a house, the previously blot out truth of what it means to share one`s life with somebody dawns. But, despite the hesitations and reluctance to commitment, it is love that eventually triumphs. This is the crux of the Bollywood movie `Salaam Namaste`. The movie has a fresh story supported by excellent dialogues and commendable performances by Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta. On the sidelines, Arshad Warsi and Javed Jaffery pep up things further. The movie has romance, comedy, little fights between lovers, tender moments and the final expression of love. The movie is slightly inspired by the Hollywood flick `Nine Months`.
Many people have made cameos in the film. Abhishek Bachchan is the narrator and has a special appearance as the doctor at the end of the film. Director Siddharth Anand makes appearance as the taxi driver towards the end of the movie. Arshad Warsi`s real-life wife and son, Maria Goretti and Zeke was seen in the bookshop where Saif Ali Khan goes to buy a book. Preity Zinta`s real life boyfriend, Ness Wadia makes an appearance in the film as the man reading the newspaper who Preity sits next to whilst on the bus. The script of the film was invited to be included in the Margaret Herrick Library which is operated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Synopsis of `Salaam Namaste`
The movie is about two Indians, Nikhil Arora, called `Nick`, played by Saif Ali Khan and Ambar Malhotra, called `Amby`played by Preity Zinta who have left India in order to live their own lives in Melbourne, Australia. Nick finished studying Architecture in his hometown of Ludhiana and moved to Australia, to pursue dreams of becoming a chef, and does so at a restaurant called `Nick of Time`, which provides him with his laid-back lifestyle i.e. he can get up late in the morning. Ambar left her home due to her parents` persistence to get her married.
They are likely to introduce the entire male Indian population to her if she does not choose a suitor and is studying to become a surgeon. When Nikhil is supposed to do an interview for the Australia based Indian radio station `Salaam Namaste`, he is late as usual and the reason is oversleeping, so a war of very public words ensues with the RJ of the show, Ambar Malhotra. So she decides to teach him a lesson in discipline and punctuality. The two eventually encounter each other. What begins as a spat turns into a mutual liking after a night at a party. Nick asks Ambar to move in with him, just to see how compatible they can be while living under the same roof. She agrees and eventually they take a house in rent and starts living there. From then they start realizing the fact that falling love is different thing and sharing life with a person is different as well. There are funny moments; spats, flared tempers and tender expressions, all packed together in their day-to-day life in the same apartment. But then, things get complex after Ambar gets pregnant.
Despite Nick`s wishes she decides to keep the baby which results in a split between the two. However, they are still forced to live in the same house for the time being. The reason is both of them don`t have money to take another house and they took the house for one year. So they have to spend eight more months together. In this period Amber is very depressed as she is pregnant and managing studies and work together. She is seen as fighting and cravings for Ben n Jerry`s Belgian Dark Chocolate ice-crème, crying, puking into Nick`s chef cap and breaking out into a moonwalk, etc. Nick realizes over time that he`s still in love with her and warms up to the thought of becoming a father and marrying Ambar. It`s almost too late when he finally proposes to her - Ambar gives birth to twins and the two reconcile.
Cast and crew of `Salaam Namaste`
The star cast of the Indian film `Salaam Namaste` includes Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta, Arshad Warsi, Tania Zaetta, Jugal Hansraj, Jaaved Jaffrey, and Abhishek Bachchan in a special role. The movie is directed by Siddharth Anand while it is produced by Aditya Chopra and Yash Chopra. The film is written by Siddharth Anand and Abbas Tyrewala. Music is given by Vishal-Shekhar while the choreography is by Ahmed Khan.
Awards for `Salaam Namaste`
The movie has got many filmfare awards in the category of best actor in a comic role, best actor in a supporting role and also best actress. It has got other awards in different award giving ceremonies. The movie`s heroin Priety Zinta received several nominations for her role in various film ceremonies, such as the Filmfare Awards, IIFA Awards, Star Screen Awards and Zee Cine Awards.