The Indian movie, `Vivah` is a romantic drama, which is set in Madhupur and also Delhi. The story is about the engagement between Prem, who is an upper-class business manager and Poonam who is a college student from Madhupur. Vivah or Marriage is an institution that binds two individuals into a bond that is sacred, pure and eternal and a commitment for life.
Sooraj Barjatya`s film `Vivah` is a throwback to the cinema of past, when romantic themes were presented through stories steeped in Indian tradition and culture. In the times when filmmakers are trying bold and new concepts, Sooraj R. Barjatya chooses to return back to the traditional thought. Going against the tide, Barjatya once again dares to bring his old concept of a perfect family drama on the silver screen in his latest presentation `Vivah`. As the tagline suggests, the movie`s story is the journey of a young couple from engagement to marriage. Barjatiya`s concept is a little different from others, but not from his previous flicks.
The film is dubbed in Telegu named `Parinayam`. Filming took place is the small town Madhupur, in Mathura, as well as in Jogeshwari, Almora, Nainital, Delhi, Mumbai, the Filmcity in Goregaon, as well as Madh Island, Lonavla, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Moradabad and Ranikhet. Director Sooraj R. Barjatya shares the fact that the story of `Vivah` is based upon a newpaper article his father read sixteen years ago, in 1988.
Synopsis of `Vivah`
`Vivah` the Indian movie is a signature work by Sooraj R. Barjatya where he again tries to establish the feel of a happy well-to-do joint family. The central character of the film `Vivah` is Poonam and Prem.
Poonam played by Amrita Rao lost her parents, when she was very young. She was brought up by her uncle Krishna Kant played by Alok Nath and her aunt Rama played by Seema Biswas. However, Rama is jealous of her and barely talks to her, since Poonam is more beautiful than her own daughter Rajni played by Amrita Prakash, who is lively and friendly. Bhagat-ji played by Manoj Joshi, a jeweller, and a friend of Krishna Kant, likes Poonam very much and decides to matchmake her with Prem played by Shahid Kapoor. Prem is the younger son of Mr. Harichandra played by Anupam Kher who is a friend of Bhagat-ji.
Mr. Harichandra informs Prem of his plans to matchmake him, as he believes Prem is of proper age, young enough to adapt to someone else. He also thinks that Prem`s brother, Sunil played by Samir Soni, was about the same age when he married Bhavna played by Lata Sabharwal. Prem, however, is hesitant to marry, since he thinks himself to be too young and wants to focus on his career first. Harichandra convinces him to meet Poonam first. They visit Poonam`s family and let Prem and Poonam to get to know each other. Though their first conversation is awkward, Prem and Poonam decide to get married, as they are instantly attracted to each other. They discuss on very common topics as whether they like to read books or can sing. The two families agree to meet each other again, so Prem and Poonam get the opportunity to know each other better. Krishna Kant invites Prem`s family to their summer residence in Som Sarovar and Harishchandra accepts.
Poonam anxiously awaits Prem to come to Som Sarovar, however, until Bhavna arranges a meeting between the two, they barely have the chance to talk to each other. After several carefree days, Harichandra and his family has to leave again because of the family business, which leaves Poonam and Prem only the opportunity to communicate via telephone, internet or letter. Despite the distance between them, they grow closer and Prem, before going to a business trip to Japan, tells Poonam on the phone that he has fallen in love with her. When Prem comes back from Japan, Poonam is there to greet him on the airport, gets to spend some time at his house and finally returns to her own family on order to prepare for the wedding. Bot of them are very happy and waiting for the marriage.
However, two days before the actual wedding, a fire emerges at Krishna Kant`s house. Poonam gets heavily burned, because she saves Rajni. Prem, occupied with his own wedding preparations, is informed by Bhavna of Poonam`s accident and goes to see his fiancée at the hospital. She is very unsure if Prem will marry her, now that she has been scarred. The doctor played by Mohnish Behl informs the family that there is hope, however the operation to save Poonam may be dangerous and Poonam will take much time to recover. Harichandra arranges for specialists to be flown in from Delhi and Prem, despite her injury, still wishes to marry her and accepts her as a wife by bringing sindhoor to her at the hospital. The operation is successful and the wedding commences. The film has a happy ending as most of the films by Sooraj Barjatya.
Cast and Crew of `Vivah`
The star cast of the Indian film `Vivah` includes Shaheed Kapoor, Samir Soni, Lata Sabharwal, Amrita Rao, Amrita Prakash, Anupam Kher, Alok Nath, and Seema Biswas. The film is directed by Sooraj R. Barjatya while it is produced by the whole Barjatya family namely Sooraj, Ajit, Kamal, Rajat, and Rajkumar Barjatya. Music is given by Ravindra Jain while the film is distributed by Rajshri Productions.