Maine Pyar Kiya - It's all about winning the parents

‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ is really a saccharine sweet movie from the late 80's. It was released sometime in 1989 to be precise. I remember the headline for the review of the movie by Khalid Mohammed in the Times of India was titled 'Vague Entertainment'. I didn’t know the meaning of vague then so I assumed that it should mean something good. Don’t ask me why I remember such nonsensical things but that’s how it is with me.

Anyway I digress from the main point which is that when the movie was released it became such a huge hit and a rage everywhere. Every girl wanted to be like the stunningly beautiful Bhagyashre. Young guys had a new idol to look upto-the lean-mean and overtly good looking Salman Khan.

Many girls stitched clothes like the simple salwar kameezes worn by Bhagyashree. What's really amazing about this diminutive actress is that she still looks as young as she did, 20 years ago. Of course the fact that she sacrificed everything and bid adieu to movies to set up her family on her husband's diktat (who didn’t approve her acting with other co stars) is probably the sweetest thing done in the name of love.

Salman of course went from strength to strength after this movie and he is what he is today. Our now famous comedian Raju Shrivastav I believe had a small character in MPK as a servant or something. The very talented and good looking Mohnish Behl (Nutan's son) got relegated to playing the bad guy in every role after this. Laxmikant Berde got stuck playing the hero's sidekick and unfortunately died a year or so back due to some health issues. Alok Nath and Reema Lagu continued to play the role of harried parents for another million years.

The one cute thing about Maine Pyar Kiya was that it brought friendship back into fashion (no... not the-i-dont-know-u but will u be my fren like on orkut) but the simple uncomplicated friendship that should be the basis for love. And that brings us to yet merchandise made popular by the movie-Friend caps. I didn’t purchase the ‘Friend’ cap though I saw it selling like hot cakes everywhere.

Dialogue time-
Ek ladka aur ke ladki kabhi dost nahi ho sakthe(Boy and gurl cannot stop at being frens)
Nahee ho sakthe hain, agar ladka ya tho ladki dono main se ek thakela ho(No they can still stop at being frens if one of them is a loser) Just kiddin :)

MPK started the trend of saaf suthra Barjatya family romances set in Wankhede stadium like houses with an assortment of servants. Kabootars got a new lease of life and suddenly love was in the air. Everyone appreciated the basic premise of the movie which is that you don’t need to elope for your romance; you can work it out and win your love and parental approval.

What simple times were those... I try and watch some scenes of MPK even today when the movie is telecast on some channel. It is interesting to see romance as it once was.

Help the elderly, aged in India-helpageindia

I feel very strongly for the elderly and the aged who have very little resources to support themselves at this stage in their lives.

The reason this cause is close to my heart is because I feel that for children as well as other non privileged sections of society, someone or the other may come ahead and support them. But for old people its all the more sad and upsetting for them after they have spent the best years of their life caring for their children and others. I remember reading this story about an old man who was treated badly by his son and how his grandchild makes his father realize that no one is exempt from getting old and treating parents well is most important. The feelings of loneliness and being neglected are especially more pronounced for the old people in a busy city like Mumbai where people have very little time to be with their families.

There are several celebrities that give huge donations in countries like US and UK for different charities. I wish someone would let them know how much their donations would be appreciated for these charitable organizations in India who do a lot of amazing work.

I especially like the fact that Salman Khan- the Bollywood actor (who gets a lot of negative press for his bad boy behavior) incidentally makes it a point to donate for various charities whenever he can. I hope many more celebrities in India can also emulate his generous acts.

Helpage India as well as several other philanthropic organizations in India work for the care and support of the elderly. Any donations that can be given to these organizations will be a huge support in this initiative for the aged people in our society.

Here are some of the links to these institutions that help the aged and other causes like the children, disabled etc-
http://www.helpageindia.org/
http://www.karmayog.com/lists/oah.htm
http://www.giveindia.org/
http://www.karmayog.com/lists/oah7.htm
http://www.cry.org/index.html
http://www.638387.org/sponsoragirlchild.htm
http://www.karmayog.com/lists/orphanages.htm
http://www.mumbaipage.com/directory/Industrial_And_General_Services/Orphanagesold_Age_Homes.htm