Despite Its Flaws, RHTDM Won Us Over With Madhavan-Dia¡¯s Captivating Jodi & Soulful Songs

"Maine Har Lamha Jise Chaaha

Jise Pooja Usi Ne Yaaron Mera Dil Toda

Toda Tanha Tanha Chhoda

Such Keh Raha Hain Deewana

Dil Dil Na Kisi Se Lagana

Jhoothe Hain Yaar Ke Vaade Saare

Jhoothi Hain Pyaar Ki Kasme"

20 years ago, on this very day, many of us became privy to this movie without really knowing that decades later it¡¯ll remain to be one of the biggest fan favourites. Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein or RHTDM, if you may, is not a movie, it¡¯s a feeling.

For the unversed, this movie marked the debuts of both Dia Mirza and R Madhavan in the hindi film industry. RHTDM was a remake of the Tamil film Minnale¡¯. Both these movies were directed by Gautham Menon.

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We all know how it opened to a lukewarm response but eventually went on to attain a cult status with every passing year. Almost two decades on, if you rewatch Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, I am pretty sure you will feel conflicted.

RHTDM has many flaws. Unlike everything else, it isn¡¯t a perfect film. However, there are many factors besides the shortcomings that make this movie salvageable.

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Not only is the plot pretty basic, it even endorses a few social evils to some extent. The millennials realised it much later, when better sense prevailed. What Maddy portrayed as love at first sight was what we call a ¡®gray¡¯ or 'red flag' area these days.

From stalking to hatching an evil plan to win over the girl, his character was a quintessential bad boy fallen head-over-heels over a sweet and charming girl-next-door. Such characters aren¡¯t as admirable in real life as they are shown on the silver screen.

However, RHTDM wasn¡¯t preachy. In fact, it did call out this nonsensical behavior where the protagonist¡¯s character arc took a 360 degree and he realised his folly as he admitted to his wrongdoings in the second half of the film. Not only that, Maddy was ready to earn his redemption by doing what he felt was right.

The USP of this movie lies in its lead pair - Dia Mirza and R Madhavan. What they portrayed on the big screen cannot be explained in mere words. However, it was nothing short of magical as it left a mark for good. In the history of Hindi film industry, their jodi will always be counted in the top 10 list.

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Call it their individual looks, personalities or something else, but Dia and Madhavan just clicked together. They stuck a chord with our hearts from the word go.

As unconventional as it may seem, Dia¡¯s character Reena¡¯s vulnerability and innocence meshed with Madhavan¡¯s character Maddy¡¯s brashness and bad-boy-turned-lover-boy behaviour turned out to be so endearing that it left an imprint on every romantic¡¯s mind. So much so that 20 years have passed but fans are still hopeful about its sequel. What¡¯s more, they constantly message/tweet to the leading couple to make it work.

The duo even humours their fans by indulging them with their many reunions and video calls. In fact, if rumours are to be believed, the sequel might just take place because Dia Mirza and Madhavan have dropped several hints themselves in recent times.

Not just the lead couple, even the songs are indelible. In the world where remixes are the new norm, RHTDM¡¯s soundtrack had some marvellous romantic numbers that still evoke all kinds of feelings.

There are very few bollywood movies that remain relevant after decades. One of the major reasons why RHTDM is still remembered is because of its music. Most of them are romantic and soulful tracks that have stupendous melodies and meaningful lyrics.

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From the sensual Zara Zara Mehekta Hai number to the heartwarming Dil Ko Tum Se Pyaar Hua, these songs make for a good listen despite the n number of replays.

Sach Ke Raha Hai Deewana is a track for all the aashiqs out there who professed their love to their ladies, but didn¡¯t see it failing so badly, therefore, had to deal with major heartbreaks in its wake.

Interestingly, even the picturisation of these songs are done in such a manner that once you watch it, you will never be able to wipe it off your memory for a really long time.

RHTDM also set a tone for Saif Ali Khan on the big screen. He came across as the suave and well-mannered boy who is an America-returned achiever and a suitable match for Reena. He wasn't a villain in the conventional sense but his character arc sure added spice to this love story.

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2001 was a monumental year for Saif Ali Khan¡¯s career. While Dil Chahta Hai shook the box office in August, Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein which released in October, solidified the fact that not only is he a versatile actor but also that he is willing to take big risks early on. Even though he wasn¡¯t a typical villain of the story, he was the anti-hero who created big roadblocks in Maddy and Reena¡¯s journey of love.

However, the silver lining lied in the fact that his character was carved in such a manner that in the end he came across as a big-hearted bloke who took the righteous path albeit in a cocky and boastful manner. He sacrificed his love for he knew that despite the marriage, he and Reena would never be able to lead a happy life together.

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Special mention to a couple of other characters namely Vrajesh Hirjee and Anupam Kher who played Maddy¡¯s best friend and father respectively. They provided the much needed comic relief in this romantic drama.

Despite all the flaws, this movie does have a strong pull and if one day a sequel does come out, it will create a lot of stir because Dil Ko RHTDM se pyaar hua aur kai baar hua, right?

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In case, you feel like giving it yet another watch then you can stream RHTDM on Disney+Hotstar.