The Indian Railways would approve too with the number of scenes that take place on a platform with effects to boot too. Love blooms in a jam packed railway station and director Shaad Ali criss-crosses between past and present in a not-too-confusing manner. Aditya (Vivek Oberoi) makes the move on Suhani (Rani Mukherjee) at a common friend's wedding. Unfortunately for him she doesn't bite the bait. After much difference, love blooms on the fast track from curiosity to familiarity. Amidst longing and parental loathing the two get married secretly after realising they cannot live without each other. This is the first half of the film which refreshingly allows the story to bloom slowly and smoothly, and by the interval you're not quite sure where the film is going as it seems to be working fine.

But there's trouble in paradise. Egos, jealousy and resentments pile up. All this is told to us through a series of flashbacks and fast-forwards while Aditya waits for his doctor wife to show up at the now-annoying railway platform. Minutes tick by. The last train has come and gone. And thereby hangs a long tale. Mani Ratnam's screenplay includes bittersweet moments, like Suhani keeping
a record of their fights in the calendar and some very good dialogue that makes you think without being overbearing with opinion or thought. The amour rituals are handled with élan. Shaad Ali gathers terrific technical talent, including Anil Mehta's restrained and splendid camerawork. Gulzar's mint-fresh dialogue and lyrics add to making a meal seem like that plus dessert. Here's a rah-rah for A.R.Rahman's lightning melodies too.

However the awkward climax and the cameos by the surprise duo......hmmmm
keep guessing…… make the film seemed jarred in places. And unlike the original film, the turbulent relationship between Suhani and her mother isn't clearly delineated. But these are minor blemishes in an otherwise charming film. Making a marked departure from his aggressive Company image, Vivek Oberoi is smashing. His metamorphosis from the bubblegum lover boy to anguished
hubby is finely etched. It actually reminds you of a real husband as stated in the film: Before marriage - romantic, After - he forgets you!

Rani Mukherjee pitches in her career's best act. Be it the scenes when she tells the love-struck Romeo to buzz off or the wrenching moment at her father's funeral, she is a joy to watch. The film overall raises interesting points and gives you more than you'd expect from this 'small' film as Shamita Shetty's is not the only guest appearance, giving our man Vivek the chance to match frame by expression with one of Bollywood's greats, and he pulls it off too. The story is the real winner though because many will smile, laugh and relate while others just won't get it. If you're looking for a good film but without the bang, whollop and dash of vibrant colour, this is it.

One always approaches a Ratnam remake with trepidation. Remember what
Mumbai makers did to Agni Nakshatram, Geetanjali and Nayakan? But guess what?
Shaad Ali's spin on the original has spine. Saathiya evokes a kaleidoscope of colour, style and substance. We've found it at the movies again, hurrah!!!!!

Rasika Iyer