Bollywood has always been a veritable gold mine of unique stories and narratives that cover a wide range of genres and themes. Though they may do so in various situations and contexts, it can be fascinating to see how certain themes and plot elements seem to reappear over time. One such instance is the similarity between the 2017 movie "Bareilly Ki Barfi" and the timeless 1991 movie "Saajan." A closer look reveals some striking plotline similarities between the two films, despite the fact that they may initially seem to be distinct. We will explore the parallels between these two movies' stories and their respective plots in this article.
"Bareilly Ki Barfi" is a delightful romantic comedy that was directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari. It is set in the small town of Bareilly in the country's central region. The story centers on Bitti Mishra, a strong-willed and independent young woman who finds herself at odds with the traditional norms of her society. Bitti is played by Kriti Sanon. When Bitti discovers a book called "Bareilly Ki Barfi," which remarkably mirrors her own life, her journey of self-discovery and love begins. A web of romantic entanglements results from Bitti's quest to track down the elusive author after becoming intrigued by the story and its author.
The timeless love story "Saajan," helmed by Lawrence D'Souza, captures the essence of unrequited love, identity, and the complexity of human emotions. The main character of the movie is Aman Verma (Salman Khan), a talented poet who is mute due to a terrible accident he suffered as a child. Under the pen name Sagar, Aman's poetry becomes extremely well-known. However, things take an unexpected turn when Akash, another poet (played by Sanjay Dutt), falls in love with Aman's writing and makes it his mission to meet him. Akash, however, is misled by events and thinks that Sagar is actually a different person when in fact he and Aman are the same. As a result, when Pooja (played by Madhuri Dixit) enters their lives, a compelling love triangle is created.
Parallel Plots:Although "Bareilly Ki Barfi" and "Saajan" are set in various historical periods and social contexts, their central plots have striking parallels that cannot be ignored.
Literary Connection: The novel "Bareilly Ki Barfi" is a major plot point in the film "Bareilly Ki Barfi," and it acts as a catalyst for Bitti's journey of self-discovery and romantic involvements. Poetry and literature are the primary topics in "Saajan." Similar to the book in "Bareilly Ki Barfi," Aman/Sagar's poetry is essential to the story.
Identity concealment: Although for different reasons in each movie, the characters do so in both of them. While Aman conceals his true identity as Sagar in order to preserve his anonymity and avoid conflict with Akash, Bitti searches for the author of the book that closely resembles her life.
Love Triangles: As a major source of conflict and emotional complexity, love triangles are a major plot device in both films. Bitti has feelings for both Pritam Vidrohi and Chirag Dubey in "Bareilly Ki Barfi," which stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Rajkummar Rao. Similar to this, "Saajan" explores the romance between Aman, Akash, and Pooja.
A Search for Love: Both Bitti and Akash set out on quests to track down the writers of the books that have had a profound impact on them. The search by Bitti for the author of "Bareilly Ki Barfi" is comparable to Akash's hunt for the elusive poet Sagar.
Themes of Self-Discovery: The theme of self-discovery is emphasized in both movies. While Bitti's search for the book's author ultimately helps her come to grips with who she is, Aman's journey to self-awareness is centered around his identity as Sagar and his inability to express his love.
Despite these striking plot similarities, it is important to recognize how "Bareilly Ki Barfi" and "Saajan" differ due to their various contexts and tonal qualities.
The entire running time of "Bareilly Ki Barfi" is lighthearted and comedic, with an emphasis on the eccentricities of the characters and the amusing situations they find themselves in. In order to explore themes of individuality, societal norms, and the complexity of contemporary relationships, the movie makes use of humor.
When compared to this, "Saajan" adopts a more melodramatic and sentimental tone, delving deeply into the character's emotional turmoil. The movie explores deep issues like unrequited love, giving up one's rights, and the ability of language to express emotions.
Even though "Saajan" and "Bareilly Ki Barfi" are from different periods of Bollywood filmmaking, they share a number of plot points and themes. While "Bareilly Ki Barfi" employs a modern and humorous style of storytelling, "Saajan" employs a more melodramatic approach to examining the depths of human emotion. These movies serve as examples of how the same storylines can be modified and reworked to fit the sensibilities of the times in which they were made.
Both films serve as a reminder of the enduring appeal of these common themes in narrative, whether it be the hunt for a secret identity, the pursuit of love, or the ability of literature to change lives. Bollywood is still changing, but "Bareilly Ki Barfi's" contemporary charm can still be heard in the echoes of old-school stories like those in "Saajan."
Why 'Main Cheez Badi Hoon Mast' Was Excluded from 'Mohra's Theatrical Cut
Hong Kong Action Inspires Bollywood: Mohra's Ode to Hard Boiled