"There is an extraordinary love story in every ordinary jodi."
Meet Surinder "Suri" Sahni. He works at Punjab Power in Amritsar. He is shy and gentle and so very, thoroughly ordinary. He's probably part of the 1% of the population Myers Briggs labels INFJ (Introverted iNtuitive Feeling Judging). Apart from the time he spends with his best friend Balwinder "Bobby" Khosla, he keeps pretty much to himself.
Suri believes in tradition and rules. But he also believes in divine intervention and finds himself blessed with such kismat when he meets and marries Taani. Because Taani is recovering from a series of tragedies, Suri gives her time and space to acclimate herself to her new life. Yet, while Suri is capable of offering Taani unconditional love, she has no love left to give him.
Suri confides to Bobby that Taani "wants to change herself." But Suri has come to love Taani just as she is. Instead, Suri changes himself so Taani doesn't have to.
Meet Raj Kapoor. This is the man Taani is partnered with in her dance class. He's vulgar and loud. He's also very social, spontaneous, and somewhat reckless. If he took the Myers Briggs test, he might be labeled an ESTP (Extraverted Sensing Thinking Perceiving).
This flirty and immature street romeo drops lines like "yellow, yellow, dirty fellow" and wears outrageous t-shirts with slogans like "Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime." He doesn't seem to have any filter between his brain and his mouth, speaking whatever is on his mind whenever it occurs to him.
However, after several classes with him, Taani tells Raj, "You know, earlier I thought you were a really cheap kind of a guy but now I have realized that under all this cheapness is a really good hearted guy."
Suri and Raj have a problem. Unbeknownst to Taani, they are the same person. Suri realizes that he reminds Taani of a past she wants to forget while "Raj" offers Taani a clean slate. Suri is quiet and reserved while "Raj" is bombastic and fun. Taani can say things to "Raj" that she doesn't have the opportunity to say to Suri. "Raj" makes Taani laugh and this street romeo is attracting more of Taani's time and attention. At one point, "Raj" has a heart-to-heart talk with Suri:
O Suri buddy, did you see Raj's style? Taani partner couldn't resist coming to Raj. Did you hear what she said? From today we are friends. Friends. And you have seen enough Hindi films to know that a girl and a guy can never be friends. After friendship comes love ... and romance. So now I will hold Taani's hand and while I dance and romance her ... 5, 6, 7, 8 ... you can be happy holding the tiffin. Okay? Why are you standing like a villain between us. You married her and spoiled her life. She's like a Miss World and you are Suri-I-work-for-Punjab-Power. Listen, buddy, I am telling you - before she runs away with me and you are left holding your leg between your legs - you should step aside so that this dude can sweep her away and walk gloriously into the sunset while THE END appears on the screen with a bang and the audience bursts into a thunderous applause! Yeah. Yeah! Hey, why are you so quiet? Alright. Take your time, think it over, we'll talk tomorrow. ... Thought about it? I will tell you what you are thinking. You are thinking what if while loving Raj, Taani completely forgets about Suri. What if she never falls in love with Suri. What if, in the end, Suri is left saying, "Hum hain raahi pyaar ke phir milenge chalte chalte" (We are traveling the love lane. Down the road we will meet again).
Aditya Chopra's 2008 film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi - starring Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma, and Vinay Pathak - offers a unique love story that draws us in and keeps us engaged through to the final moment. As these characters change and evolve with every interaction, we are also changed. Our notions of love, loyalty, and honor are challenged and redefined as we learn who ultimately becomes the personality lighting up Taani's life.
Below is a playlist pulling together the trailers, making of interviews and deleted scenes from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.
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