Hum Saath Saath Hain turns 25: Can the new-age stars recreate the family magic of the 90s?
Sooraj Barjatya’s film Hum Saath Saath Hain, popular for its portrayal of love, unity and family values, has completed 25 years. On this occasion, the actors of the 1999 film discussed the possibility of seeing a sequel, keeping in mind its timeless appeal, despite changing industry trends.
Do you still remember these lines ““The real happiness of life is found only with family.” (The true happiness of life is found with family) The iconic film, Hum Saath-Saath Hain? Even after 25 years, this film of Sooraj Barjatya holds a special place in the hearts of people for many reasons. The popular 1999 family drama continues to captivate the Internet with its humorous memes and relatable themes, which reflect how our perceptions of family have evolved over the past two decades.
The story revolves around a misunderstanding that causes a close-knit family to fall apart, challenging their ideals and sense of unity. With Neelam Kothari, Mahesh Thakur, Reema Lagoo and Alok Nath, the film has a stellar ensemble cast. Which includes Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Saif Ali KhanTabu, Sonali Bendre and Mohnish Bahl.
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‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’ continues even after 25 years It will be cherished as a timeless story of love, unity and sacrifice. But with today’s star power and changing dynamics on film sets, could we see a sequel that captures the essence of the original while keeping in tune with the new generation?
Veteran actor Satish Shah, who played Sonali Bendre’s father in the film, confessed that now if someone offers him a film like Hum Saath Saath Hain, he will not become a producer.
“To be honest, if someone came to me with a film today I would not have been able to become a producer, just because there is a lack of commitment among the actors. Even if you find a director with the same level of dedication towards the script, a director like Sooraj is rare. When we were dubbing for Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Sooraj was there for every detail. Even though it was the voice of a minor character, he would ensure that the same person came back to dub and personally supervise each stage. That level of dedication is something you rarely see anymore,” he told India Today Digital.
Having said that, the actor shared how he was overjoyed when Sooraj Barjatya narrated the script to him 25 years ago.
“I was thrilled because this was my first experience working with Rajshri Productions. to be honest, My shoes got worn out, I kept going around Rajshri office but nothing happened. (I must have worn out my shoes making repeated trips to Rajshree’s office, but to no avail) until I made my own way. When Sooraj made his first film ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’, it became such a hit that the entire Rajshree family had faith in him. He had access to everything – facilities, great artists – but he never took it for granted. His integrity remained intact,” Shah said.
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While Satish shared that he would not produce a film like Hum Saath Saath Hain today, actor-entrepreneur Neelam Kothari is excited to see the younger generation acting in a film with a similar theme and the freshness they will bring.
“I believe that if Hum Saath Saath Hain was made with the youngest stars today, it would definitely have done well. While the film was based on traditions, family values and joint family system, the dynamics of today’s generation are different. I think a story along those lines might still resonate. I wouldn’t call it a sequel, but a concept in the same spirit could absolutely work in today’s times,” Neelam, who plays Sangeeta, tells us, adding that the film proved to be a game-changer for her.
“When I first got the call for this film, I had given up acting. Suddenly I got a call from Sooraj Barjatya and he said, ‘Neelam Yes‘I’m making this film and you have to be a part of it.’ He told me that when he was writing the character, he had me in mind and I couldn’t say no to him. So, I agreed, and I’m so glad I did. This is a family story that touches a lot of people. Traditions, joint family dynamics – people still live the same way. I meet fans during my travels who tell me, ‘We love your character because our family is like that,’ Neelam said.
While we still remember all the beautiful memories that the film created in the hearts of fans, one can never forget how amazing actress Himani Shivpuri was. aunty (Aunty) introduces us to the family of Ramkishan (Alok Nath) in an elaborate song and dance sequence. She was looking beautiful even while singing Maiyya Yashoda.
Speaking to India Today Digital, Himani talked about how she misses films like Hukm Aapke Hain Koun and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, which brought families together. He expressed his desire for more films reflecting such values and even expressed hope for a possible sequel to Hum Saath-Saath Hain.
“I miss those films and I believe the audience does too. Movies like Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge were experiences that you could enjoy with the entire family. People often tell me that they yearn for such films, but they are not being made anymore. It’s not that good movies don’t exist today, but most of them are just collections of jokes. Sure, they make money, and ultimately, that’s all that matters in business. But I sincerely hope that someone will consider a sequel to Hum Saath Saath Hain – maybe Aditya Chopra, Karan Johar, or Sooraj ji himself,” said the 64-year-old actor.
As we wonder why the filmmakers and producers have not yet planned to make a sequel to ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ or something on similar lines, actor Mahesh Thakur, who played the character of Anand Babu, shared That producers are not interested in making family dramas these days.
“They prefer to allocate budgets to those who can guarantee box office returns, which means that instead of focusing on making meaningful cinema, the emphasis has become on making money. If you really aim to make a great film, focus on crafting a strong script. When films are made with true passion and intention, they are undoubtedly successful. Family dramas in particular have immense potential as they resonate deeply with India’s culture of joint families. I urge everyone to give priority to making authentic films and not just commercial ventures.”
Hum Saath Saath Hain will always remain a cherished testament to India’s deep family values and the enduring appeal of traditional Bollywood family dramas.
Even after 25 years, the film still resonates with audiences, evoking nostalgia and leaving many yearning for the return of such a story. While the changing dynamics of the industry and commercial pressures have changed the landscape of filmmaking, hope remains that the essence of these timeless narratives can be rekindled for a new generation.
Now, with the trend of sequels dominating the market, would you be interested in watching Hum Saath Saath Hain 2 if it is ever made with a new generation of actors? let us know.