Partner

About the film

Partner is a 2007 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy film directed by David Dhawan and produced by Sohail Khan and Parag Sanghvi. The story of the film was inspired by the 2005 American film Hitch. The film stars Govinda, Salman Khan, Lara Dutta and Katrina Kaif.

The film revolves around a love guru, Prem, who gives wooing advice and ideas to his client, Bhaskar for the latter's ladylove Priya, and also himself falls in love with a widowed mother, Naina. The film's music is composed by Sajid–Wajid, with background score by Salim–Sulaiman.

Plot

Prem is a Love Guru who solves the love issues of his clients. Bhaskar Diwakar Chaudhary comes to Prem for help. Bhaskar loves his boss, Priya Jaisingh, but is unable to express it as she is the daughter of a wealthy businessman. Prem initially refuses to help Bhaskar and goes to Phuket, Thailand. Bhaskar follows him and convinces him to help.

After returning from Thailand, Prem meets Naina Sahni, a photojournalist fleeing from Chhota Don, who mimics Shah Rukh Khan in Don (2006) and is a cricket fan. Prem saves her and falls in love with her. Meanwhile, he starts teaching Bhaskar how to impress Priya. But rather than Prem's tactics, Bhaskar's simplicity and nonsense endear him to Priya, who falls in love with him. Prem learns that Naina has a son named Rohan from her previous marriage, and to impress her, he takes care of him.

Bhaskar reveals to Prem that Priya will marry someone according to her father's will. The two attend Priya's wedding ceremony with Rohan, who convinces his mother to marry Prem, while Priya's father is convinced by Bhaskar. Priya prepares to marry Bhaskar.

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Sajid–Wajid. The soundtrack entered the top five on 23 July 2007. According to the Indian trade website Box Office India, with around 18,00,000 units sold, this film's soundtrack album was the year's third highest-selling.

Reception

Box Office India declared the film a "Blockbuster" and was the second biggest domestic opener at that time. It grossed Rs. 1.03 billion in India and $4.19 million overseas.

Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Male - Govinda

IIFA Awards for Best Comedian Actor - Govinda

Legal issues

Sony Pictures, owners of the film Hitch, contemplated a $30-million suit against both the Indian producers for copyright infringements. It would have been the second time after the 1957 film Begunah, an international film company took legal action against an Indian entertainment company for plagiarism. Partner was eventually released, with Sony acquiring the world's exclusive satellite broadcasting rights.

Key details