That Phir Milenge attempts to break mainstream moviedom’s myths, to again break myths relating to HIV
through a positive human story within known constructs of
entertainment, is the film’s foremost achievement.
The movie is worth a watch for its sensitive handling of a
delicate subject, AIDS.
 Revathy,
the director had revealed her deft touch with
characters, relationships and intimacy with her supremely sensitive
first film (Mitr - My Friend).
In this brilliant adaptation of Jonathan Demme’s Philadelphia (1993),
she uses the same wares to tell a tale of a ‘go-getter’ and
award-winning ad-woman Tamanna (Shetty – very real and at ease) who
gets sacked from her agency for being an agent of HIV.
Tamanna (Shilpa Shetty)
is the creative head of an ad agency. She meets Rohit (Salman Khan) at
her annual vacation to her alma mater. Old friendships are rekindled,
and the two get romantically involved.
One day, Tamanna's sister
Tania meets with an accident and Tamanna is required to donate
blood. That's when Tamanna discovers she has AIDS.
The knowledge sends her into shock. She withdraws from the world
and locks herself up at home. When her employer visits her to enquire
about her absence is, she tells him the truth.
The next day, Tamanna summons the courage to return to work but is
in for a bigger shock. She gets strange looks from her colleagues,
finds her cabin rearranged and gets replaced in the organisation.
Enter Abhishek Bachchan, the lawyer, who helps her out.
The film has been adapted well to the Indian palate, and AIDS is
woven delicately into the story.
It educates without being preachy, something it may have been in
the danger of. It tends to drag in the first half but more than
touches your heartstrings later.
But Salman looks very healthy, despite being an AIDS patient in the
last stage.
Shetty comes up with a rare, subdued performance. Her life and work
have been snatched from her, but yet, she refuses to bow
to circumstances.
Abhishek pales in comparison to Denzel Washington, who played the
lawyer in the Hollywood original. He lacks in oratorical skills,
especially in the climax.
Phir Milenge benefits from appearances by the legendary
Somayajulu (who acted in the Telugu classic, Shankarabharanam)
and Tamil actor Nasser. Both have given sterling performances in their
cameos.
Mita Vashisht excels as the hard-nosed lawyer, who will not stop
from advising her clients to lie in order to win the case.
This is without doubt one
of the most meaningful and moving movies of the year.
Finally, will Salman be third time
lucky after Garv and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi? Let's
watch, wait and see!
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