Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein

About the film

Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein (transl. 'Have to reside in your heart'), also known by the initialism RHTDM, is a 2001 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film written and directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, starring R. Madhavan, Saif Ali Khan and Dia Mirza in the lead roles. The film is a remake of the director's own Tamil film Minnale (released in the same year), which also starred Madhavan in his reprised role. This is Dia Mirza's debut film as well as Tamil actor, Madhavan's official Bollywood debut film after having an uncredited appearance in the song "Chup Tum Raho" in Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin.

The film revolves around the love story of Madhav "Maddy" Shastri (Madhavan) and Reena Malhotra (Mirza). The latter is set to get engaged to Rajeev "Sam" Samra (Khan), who is a young man settled in the US and Maddy's former college rival. The film was an above average grosser at box office during its release, achieved popularity through reruns on TV and achieved a cult status. The film was remade in Punjabi as Mel Karade Rabba (2010)

Plot

The story begins with narration by Madhav "Maddy" Shastri, the carefree son of music shop owner Deendayal Shastri. His father dreams that one day Maddy will inherit the family business, but Maddy has no interest. He is reckless, unserious about studies, and notorious at his college. His opposite is Rajeev "Sam" Samra, a disciplined, model student admired by teachers and classmates alike. The two are bitter rivals, constantly clashing. Their animosity grows so intense that Maddy even attempts to frame Sam. When Sam challenges him to a fight, Maddy accepts eagerly, but the professors intervene before it begins. At Sam’s graduation party, Maddy tries again to provoke him, but Sam refuses, leaving college with the warning that one day he will settle the score.

Three years later, Maddy has matured somewhat and is now a software instructor at a private company. However, his carefree attitude remains. During a trip to Delhi, he encounters a young woman dancing in the rain with children. Captivated, he calls her “my kind of girl” without knowing her name. Shortly after, fate brings him face to face with her again at a wedding. He discovers that her name is Reena Malhotra. Determined to win her heart, he tries to learn more about her, but opportunities slip away until they cross paths once more in Mumbai.

Maddy is delighted, until he learns that Reena is about to be engaged to Rajeev, a childhood friend who has been living in the United States. Crucially, Reena has not seen Rajeev in years and does not know what he looks like now. Persuaded by his friends and father, Maddy impulsively decides to impersonate Rajeev until the real one arrives. Over five magical days, he shows his affection and sincerity. What begins as friendship blossoms into love, and Reena eventually admits her feelings for him. Maddy plans to confess the truth in that moment, but his chance is cut short when the real Rajeev arrives. Reena, feeling betrayed, cancels her relationship with Maddy despite his desperate attempts to explain himself.

Production

The success of the Tamil film Minnale led to producer Vashu Bhagnani signing Gautham Vasudev Menon on to direct the Hindi language remake of the film with Rajshri Productions, Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein, which also featured Madhavan. An early title for the film was Koi Mil Gaya, before the team finalised Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein. The former title was used by Rakesh Roshan for his 2003 film. Though Richa Pallod was initially considered for the leading female role, Dia Mirza and Saif Ali Khan were added to the film. Menon was initially apprehensive but said it took "half an hour" to agree and against his intentions, the producer opted against retaining the technical crew of the original. He changed a few elements, deleted certain scenes and added some more for the version. The team shot for the film in South Africa and shot scenes at Durban Beach and in Drakensberg, with production executive Raakesh Maharaj arranging the unit's stay in the country.

Soundtrack

The score and songs were composed by Harris Jayaraj, with lyrics written by Sameer. The last three tracks were bonus tracks and did not feature in the film. The tune of the track "Dil Ko Tumse" was later reused by Harris in Tamil film Kaakha Kaakha (2003) as "Ondra Renda".

Release and reception

In comparison to Minnale (2001), the film gained mixed reviews. Taran Adarsh called the presentation "not absorbing" though stating that the director " handled certain sequences with aplomb". A critic from The Hindu wrote it "is not a bad bargain at the end of a long day" and "there are parts where you would actually enjoy the courting game between a game hero and a gorgeous heroine" with "fine one-liners and good gestures", before adding "a part does not a whole make". Ranjita Das of Rediff.com wrote ″Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein may not have any star attraction. But it is definitely entertaining and enjoyable.″

The moderate performance of the film left the director disappointed, with Menon claiming in hindsight that the film lacked the simplicity of the original with the producer's intervention affecting proceedings.

In 2011, the producer of the film approached him to remake the film with the producer's son Jackky Bhagnani in the lead role, but Menon was uninterested with the offer. On the fifteenth anniversary of the film's release, actors Madhavan and Dia Mirza met up and released a video thanking the film's admirers for their adulation.

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