Saajan () is a 1991 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film directed by Lawrence D'Souza and produced by Sudhakar Bokade. The film is a remake of Bengali film Apan Amar Apan. Loosely based on the classic French play Cyrano de Bergerac (1897), it stars Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit, and Salman Khan in lead roles, with Kader Khan, Reema Lagoo and Laxmikant Berde in supporting roles. Nadeem–Shravan composed the film's music whereas Sameer wrote the lyrics of the songs.
Saajan was released on 30 August 1991, and grossed worldwide, thus becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of 1991. It was unofficially remade in Telugu as Allari Priyudu.
At the 37th Filmfare Awards, Saajan received a leading 11 nominations, including Best Film, Best Director (D'Souza), Best Actor (Dutt) and Best Actress (Dixit), and won 2 awards – Best Music Director (Nadeem–Shravan) and Best Male Playback Singer (Kumar Sanu for "Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai").
Plot
Aakash meets Aman, a boy with a disability, and they become best friends. Aakash's father, Rajiv Verma, a wealthy businessman, adopts Aman. Rajiv's wife, Kamla, and Aakash also accept Aman as their son and elder brother, respectively.
12 years later
As adults, Aakash and Aman share a strong bond, though they often find themselves at odds. Aakash, who is laid-back, adaptable, and sociable, dedicates himself to social work. In contrast, Aman takes on a more serious demeanor, crafting shayaris and poems under the pseudonym Sagar. This creative pursuit has skyrocketed his popularity, attracting millions of fans. Among his admirers is Pooja Saxena, the charming owner of a bookstore, who regularly sends him fan letters.
Aman goes to Ooty for a business project where he meets Pooja. While he recognizes her from her letters, she doesn't know he is Sagar. They become friends, and Aman decides to reveal that he is Saagar. When some goons misbehave with Pooja, Aman tries to save her but is unable to. The police officer who arrives to avert the situation points out how Aman's disability hampered him from protecting Pooja from the goons. Considering himself unworthy of Pooja, he doesn't reveal that he is Sagar.
Aakash comes to Ooty too and falls in love with Pooja. Aakash is unaware that Aman is the real Sagar and writes shayaris and poems. Aman introduces Aakash as Saagar, and Pooja is overjoyed. Gradually, Aakash gets tired of posing as a poet. He also learns that Aman is the real Sagar and that he loves Pooja. Aakash confronts Aman and brings Pooja to meet him. Pooja tells Aman that she would have loved him if he had revealed his true identity at the outset. Eventually, Aakash decides to sacrifice his love. Pooja realizes that she truly loves Aman (Sagar).
Cast
Sanjay Dutt as Aman/Sagar Madhuri Dixit as Pooja Saxena Salman Khan as Aakash Verma Kader Khan as Rajiv Verma Reema Lagoo as Kamla Verma Ekta Sohini as Menaka Laxmikant Berde as Laxminandan Anjana Mumtaz as Manyata Saxena Dinesh Hingoo as Lalchand Yunus Parvez as Anees Raju Shrestha as Yashvant Saxena Tej Sapru as Veera Vikas Anand as Inspector Dilip Raja Duggal Pankaj Udhas (Cameo in the song Jiyen to Jiyen Kaise) Lawrence D'Souza (Cameo in the song Dekha Hai Pehli Baar)
Production
Aamir Khan was offered Aman's role but refused as he did not connect with the role. Sanjay Dutt was finalised after this.
Reception The film was a blockbuster and The film was the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 1991.
Soundtrack The music was composed by Nadeem-Shravan, with lyrics by Sameer and Faiz Anwar (for "Pehli Bar Mile Hain"). The album was the year's top seller, with around 7 million copies sold. Vocals are supplied by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Salman Khan, Kumar Sanu for Sanjay Dutt, and Anuradha Paudwal and Alka Yagnik both for Madhuri Dixit. Pankaj Udhas sang another version of Jeeye Toh Jeeye.
The soundtrack of the film fetched Nadeem-Shravan their second consecutive Filmfare Award for Best Music Director. Sanu won his second Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai". All the singers were nominated for Filmfare Awards. The Composition of this song "Bahut Pyar Karte Hai" was copied from the song "Bahut khubsurat Hai" from Abshar (1978), which was sung by Mehdi Hassan. The soundtrack was #16 on the list of "100 Greatest Bollywood Soundtracks of All Time", as compiled by Planet Bollywood.
Awards Award Category Recipients and nominees Results 37th Filmfare Awards Best Music Director Nadeem-Shravan rowspan="2" Best Male Playback Singer Kumar Sanu for "Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Paagal Hai" Best Film Sudhakar Bokade rowspan="9" Best Director Lawrence D'Souza Best Actor Sanjay Dutt Best Actress Madhuri Dixit Best Lyricist Sameer for "Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Paagal Hai" Best Male Playback Singer Pankaj Udhas for "Jiye To Jiye Kaise" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam for "Tumse Milne Ki Tamanna Hai" Best Female Playback Singer Alka Yagnik for "Dekha Hai Pehli Baar" Anuradha Paudwal for "Bahut Pyar Karte Hai"
References
External links