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We Are Family (2010 film)

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Wikipedia article




'We Are Family' is a 2010 Indian drama film directed by Siddharth Malhotra and produced by Hiroo Yash Johar and Karan Johar under Dharma Productions, with Sony Pictures Entertainment and UTV Motion Pictures handling the distribution rights. The film features Kajol, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal in the lead roles, and is an official remake of the 1998 film 'Stepmom'. It was originally scheduled for release on 10 September 2010, but because of the clash with 'Dabangg', it was advanced by one week and was released worldwide on 3 September 2010, and a day before in India and UAE. Upon release, it received positive reviews from critics, with Kajol and Kapoor's performances receiving critical acclaim.

Plot



Maya is a former book publisher and a perfect mother whose life revolves around her three children, Aaliya, Ankush, and Anjali. Despite being divorced from Aman, Maya has ensured that they remain a happy family unit. However, things take an unexpected turn when Aman's girlfriend, Shreya Arora, a career-oriented fashion designer with a lot to learn about children, joins the family.



When Aman introduces Shreya at Anjali's birthday party, she accidentally drops Anjali's birthday cake, which leads the children to perceive her as evil. At a fashion show, Anjali helps Shreya with one of the outfits for the models. When Shreya goes to get ice cream for the children, Aaliya tells her siblings that she is using them so she can take their father away, and Anjali goes missing after. At the police station, Anjali is found and Aman tells Shreya that she cannot go near the children without Maya's permission.

Maya finds out that she has cervical cancer and tells Aman, which prompts him to move back in with the family and leave Shreya. However, he is unable to forget her, which Maya notices. Maya tells their children that she has cancer and Aaliya retaliates by going to a party with an older boy. Maya then tells Shreya that she has cancer, and tells her she wants her to take care of the kids after she's gone, as they'll need a mother in their lives. Shreya refuses at first, not believing herself to be the mom type, but agrees to move in and leave her career. In the following days, the children develop an attachment towards Shreya but when Maya and Shreya have an argument, it is revealed that Shreya is an orphan. After the argument, Aman tells Maya that they should not be competing with each other for the children's love. Maya faints and is brought to the hospital, where the doctor tells her that she has only a few days left. Shreya decides to take care of the children while Aman tends to Maya.

When Shreya and the children go to visit Maya at the hospital, the two women have a private conversation. Shreya admits that the children need their real mother, not her. Maya bequeaths guardianship of the children to Shreya, and confesses a mistake she made that almost killed Anjali. She explains to Shreya that not every mother is perfect but that she needs to keep trying. Maya tells Aman she wants to return home for Diwali as the last chance to see her house before she dies. During the festival, the children hold a special event for her, replaying the memories they had together. When they take a family photograph, Maya asks Shreya to join, as she is now family.

Ten years later, it is Aaliya's wedding and Shreya gifts her a bracelet which belonged to Maya. Shreya speaks to the family photo and says that Maya was right in that she eventually became the mom type. During the marriage rounds, Shreya looks at the sky and recalls Maya saying she had the children's yesterday while Shreya has their tomorrow, and smiles.

Cast



*Kajol as Maya, Aman's first wife, Aaliya, Ankush and Anjali's mother

*Kareena Kapoor as Shreya Arora, Aman's girlfriend turned wife, Aaliya, Ankush and Anjali's step-mother

*Arjun Rampal as Aman, Shreya's husband, Maya's ex-husband, Aaliya, Ankush and Anjali's father

*Aanchal Munjal as Aaliya, Aman and Maya's eldest daughter, Shreya's step-daughter

*Nominath Ginsberg as Ankush, Aman and Maya's only son, Shreya's step-son

*Diya Sonecha as Anjali, Aman and Maya's youngest daughter, Shreya's step-daughter

* Iravati Harshe as Dr. Rati Malhotra, Maya's doctor

*Amrita Prakash as elder Aaliya (cameo)

* Ankit Malik as elder Ankush (cameo)

* Dingy Vira as elder Anjali (cameo)

Production



Karan Johar decided to adapt 'Stepmom' for the Indian audience with a working title 'Love You Maa'. Although he initially intended to buy the rights to the film, he eventually opted to co-produce it with Sony Pictures.[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00tp4b7#synopsis Arjun Rampal & Karan Johar talk about their new film 'We Are Family'] BBC Asian Network. 4 September 2010.

The film was shot in Sydney, Australia and Mumbai from November 2009 to April 2010. According to Siddharth Malhotra, several scenes involving racial prejudice against the children were cut to avoid the appearance of using the controversy over violence against Indians in Australia to promote the film.[https://web.archive.org/web/20100825234322/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Racist-scenes-from-We-Are-Family-deleted/Article1-591132.aspx Hindustan Times]

Soundtrack



The album has six original songs composed by ShankarEhsaanLoy and lyrics by Irshad Kamil and Anvita Dutt Guptan, including a tribute to Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse Rock".

# "Ankhon Mein Neendein" Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & Shreya Ghoshal (5:02)

# "Dil Khol Ke Let's Rock" Anushka Manchanda, Akriti Kakkar & Suraj Jagan (03:57)

# "Reham O Karam" Vishal Dadlani & Shankar Mahadevan (05:47)

# "Hamesha & Forever" Sonu Nigam & Shreya Ghoshal (04:51)

# "Sun Le Dua Yeh Aasmaan (Theme Slow Version)" Bela Shende (03:53)

# "We Are Family (Theme)" (02:48)

Reception



Critical response

Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics, mostly average to poor. 'IANS' rated the film 4 out of 5 saying, 'We Are Family' is equally appealing from the outside and at the heart". The Hindustan Times gave it two out of five stars. India Today's reviewer glibly stated, "Kajol cries, Kareena cries, the kids cry and even Rampal sheds an artful tear. We weep for the loss of two hours." The poorly done re-make was such an embarrassment that neither of the leading ladies have spoken much about the film since its release.

Box office performance

The film grossed about 27 million on opening day and collected a total of 205 million at the end of its second week. At the end of its theatrical run, it grossed 220 million and was eventually declared flop. 'We Are Family' performed well overseas, particularly in the UK. The movie was declared a "semi-hit" by 'Box Office India'.

Awards & nominations



56th Filmfare Awards



Won



* Best Supporting Actress Kareena Kapoor

References




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