Revisiting Main Hoon Na

Okay I know, this blog is going to wildly different from my other blogs. But hear me out, I am drawn to stories and characters. Be it books, movies: stories move me. I recently re-visited the iconic cult classic Farah Khan’s magnum opus: Main Hoon Na, and I have so much to talk about it. (International readers, apologies, I am revisiting a hardcore hindi language Indian movie).

Let’s begin.

First thought after finishing the movie, I realized how wildly different is the content we see now, how different is the cultural context. Watching Main Hoon na also made me realize, how much it impacted me as a teen. This subtle bollywood spoof ,part family drama ,part nationalistic saga , part tickle your bones funny movie is a near perfect blend of peak nostalgia.

Characters:

Right from Boman Irani as a principle reading Harry Potter and the goblet of fire, to Percy wearing a superman tshirt singing Dekh lo idhar to, ek baar Main Hoon na, everyone is perfectly written. Sanju is shown as this I do it on my own terms goth chick, who even after transforming into a lady in the movie context, accepts who she is. Her introduction with Chale Jaise Hawaein sets her character up so well, that this is who I am.

I can literally write an essay about Miss Chandni. The subtle ode to Yash Chopra films with bright colored sarees, walking on the beats of old hindi songs, is pitch perfect again. Nasserrudin Shah is the best worst father, like always.

But most of all, I want to talk about this man

Not only is his Burberry scarf iconic, but so is his portrayal of masculinity. Only Shahrukh could make us teen boys believe, that being gentle is sexy too. Considering the current ‘alpha male’ personalities we are seeing lately, Shahrukh was a always a fresh breath of air, who is not being the angry young man to attract a female, but is just in plain awe of their existence. The way he starts singing whenever he sees Miss Chandni, and his hands can’t control themselves, seems truly genuine and non creepy. Leading the way for Miss Chandni to take control in their romantic scenes too, Shahrukh redefined how the leading film hero can be portrayed. The college part was my most favourite part, Farah transports us in this flashy colorful world, borderline spoofy but extremely entertaining. Matrix to Sholay, it’s basically a love letter to cinema. Main Hoon Na sowed the seeds which became a tree in Om Shanti Om. The fact that SRK played a college boy in Kuch Kuch which came many years before this, and still pulls it off, makes Farah a visionary director.

Next, let’s talk about the soundtrack. It’s still a brainworm. Just before writing this blog, I was listening to Tum se mil ke’sQawaali video, and its again super iconic. SRK wearing an LED jacket with Sushmita doing her thumkas, the song was super catchy. Chale Jaise Hawai with KK’s iconic voice, and those long dance takes are a treat to watch as well as listen. All the iconic hindi songs: ek ladki ko dekha to, Chand mera dil etc blend in so well, they make you wanna revisit the old songs. And how I ever forget Ram’s slide on the dance floor before Gori Gori starts? I believe every boy who saw that for the first time, wanted to do it once in their lifetime.

One more thing I realized. Notice how the person who hates Pakistan is actually a villian in this movie? Today’s films are just so anti. It was a secular view to show the leading guy vouching for Aman ki Shanti, rather than the extreme nationalist sentiment. Shahrukh pulled that off in Pathaan too. The way Ram tells Lakshman when an army movie is coming on the television, that he loves watching it not because of any pressure, but he genuinely is a fauji at heart, is so pure and non preachy.

Lastly, I don’t think I have ever seen a movie pay homage to their entire production team, like Farah did. Such a fun end credit song. I would die to be on the sets of Main Hoon Na. I loved that the film was a gentle breeze of entertainment, with a little seriousness here and there. Like Wake up Sid. Dosent have to be serious, and the characters don’t have to be so grey that the emotional turmiol inside them comes out like a Shakespearean monologue.

I want to end this write up by a line that Ram tells Sanju. He says that “ Zindagi nafrat ke liye bohot choti hai” (our life is too small for hate). Just spread love, love people around you. Shahrukh Khan, thank you for spreading love and kindness for decades. Nation building dosent happen by building tall buildings, it happens by the people, who love each other and grow togther. Artists like him actually help in nation building, by spreading kindness and gentleness.

Thanks for reading! :)