10 years ago today��_ Revisiting ��Hum Tum�۪

Release Date: 28th May 2004

*ing: Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukerji, Rishi Kapoor, Kirron Kher, Rati Agnihotri

Think of a film that changed many careers overnight and Yash Raj Films�۪ ��Hum Tum�۪ instantly comes to mind.�� Not only did the film do exceptionally well at the box office but it also went on to win a number of awards.�� The film celebrates its 10th anniversary today.

��Hum Tum�۪ follows the journey of its two protagonists: Karan Kapoor (Saif Ali Khan) and Rhea Prakash (Rani Mukerji), who keep meeting on chance encounters throughout the film.�� Playing on the age old saying that ��men are from Mars and women are from Venus�۪, ��Hum Tum�۪ essentially centres around the battle of the sexes, with the protagonists often bickering.�� Though Karan and Rhea start off hating each other and fall in love by the climax, the bickering remains a constant.�� Karan is a cartoonist and his characters, Hum and Tum, are in many ways a reflection of Karan and Rhea themselves.

��Hum Tum�۪ was unique not only onscreen but at the script level too.�� The narrative intercuts between the animation and non-animation so smoothly that the audience find themselves intrigued to know what happens next with Hum and Tum, just as much as they want to know what happens with Karan and Rhea.�� The animation is unarguably the best Indian cinema has seen till date.�� Though the film spans over quite a long period of time, it manages to keep a gripping pace while also showcasing a variety of mesmerising locations in India, Amsterdam, New York and Paris.

The characters are so well scripted that screen-time aside, they each leave an impact on the audience.�� The award-winning performances cannot be forgotten.�� ��Hum Tum�۪ was undoubtedly the most important turning-point in the careers of both Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji.�� While Mukerji swept the Best Actress trophies at all of the award ceremonies the following year, including the reputed Filmfare Awards, Khan bagged a National Award for his performance.�� Their pairing was loved so much that they were subsequently signed together for more films under the Yash Raj Films banner.�� Rishi Kapoor and Rati Agnihotri, who had worked together in many films since the 1980�۪s, are seen in interesting roles as a separated couple.�� Kirron Kher too leaves an impression as the lovable Punjabi mother.�� Besides the lead cast, the urban rom-com also sees a number of special appearances by actors including: Abhishek Bachchan, Jimmy Shergill, Isha Koppikar and Shenaz Treasury.

The film conveys a number of human emotions very realistically.�� Love, friendship, marriage, remarriage and social norms are some of the many themes explored throughout the story.�� The beauty of the film is that each emotion is so sensitively portrayed and it becomes easy for the audience to relate to at least one character at some point of the narrative.�� Kunal Kohli�۪s direction adds to the beauty of the film and it came as no surprise when he bagged the Filmfare Best Director trophy, despite tough competition from the likes of Yash Chopra, Farah Khan, Farhan Akhtar and Ashutosh Gowariker.

Jatin-Lalit�۪s music for the movie is memorable even today.�� The beautifully romantic title song won much appreciation.�� ��Ladki Kyun�۪ is a playful and peppy number, ��Gore Gore Se Chore�۪ is a fun dance number and ��Chak De�۪ brings a smile to ones face.�� The promotional song, ��Mere Dil Vich Hai Hum Tum�۪, a collaboration with British music stars, Rishi Rich, Juggy D and Veronica, is still popularly aired on music channels.

With a story spanning almost a decade, ��Hum Tum�۪ is not just a small snapshot from the lives of two characters but the journey of an important period of their lives.�� As part of the audience, you find yourself living and enjoying the journey with the characters.�� A rom-com with substance, it is simple, sweet, beautiful and memorable.

Speaking to BizAsia on the 10th anniversary of his film, director Kunal Kohli, says, ��ω۪Hum Tum�۪ is a very special film for all of us involved for many reasons.�� It got Prasoon Joshi his first best lyricist award and re-established Jatin-Lalit as music directors.�� ��Hum Tum�۪ made Saif a star, it got him a national award.�� It got Rani her first best actress award and it got me a best director award. It kick-started the genre of rom-coms and the concept of cool multiplex films.�� It truly is a cult film!�� I am so proud of my whole team.�� It is the only Hindi film to date that brought animation as part of the narrative of a non-animation film, which is very rare in any part of the world.�۝

BizAsia congratulates the entire team of ��Hum Tum�۪ on its 10th anniversary.