We Are Family (2010 film)
Encyclopedia
We Are Family is a Hindi
film directed by Siddharth Malhotra and produced by Karan Johar
. The project features actors Kajol
, Kareena Kapoor
and Arjun Rampal
in the lead roles, and is an official remake of the 1998 film Stepmom
. It released worldwide on September 3, 2010, and a day before in India
and UAE
.
) is a perfect mother. Her life revolves around her three children, Aleya (Aanchal Munjal), Ankush (Nominath Ginsburg), and Anjali (Diya Sonecha). Despite being divorced from Aman (Arjun Rampal
), Maya has ensured that everything runs smoothly in her house and that they continue to remain a happy family unit. However, when Aman introduces his girlfriend, Shreya (Kareena Kapoor
) a career oriented woman, who has a lot to learn about children, to the family, the situation immediately takes an unexpected turn.
When Shreya comes with Aman to Anjali's birthday party, she accidentally drops Anjali's cake - this causes the kids to perceive Shreya as evil. The next day, Aman tells Shreya to babysit the three kids at his house because Maya is out of town. (but she's taking her scanning in the hospital without kids knowing.) At a fashion show a wrong size dress for Shreya's model turns up with a chance of disqualification, Anjali helps Shreya with the outfit with a piece of her doll's clothing. When Shreya goes to get ice cream for the kids, Aleya tells her siblings that she is using them so she can take their dad away; soon after Anjali goes missing. At the police station, Anjali is found and Shreya is told by Aman that she cannot go near the children unless she has Maya's permission.
Several days later, Maya finds out that she has cervical cancer and tells Aman - this prompts him to move back in with the family. However, when Maya tells the kids that she has cancer, Aleya retaliates by going to one of her friend's party with an older boy. After a few days, Maya tells Shreya that she has cancer. Shreya agrees to move in and leaves her career as a fashion designer. In the following days, the kids develop an attachment towards Shreya but when Maya and Shreya have a fight, it is discovered that Shreya was an orphan since she was six months old. After the argument, Aman tells Maya that they should not be competing with each other for the kids love and respect. At the same time Maya faints and ends up in the hospital and the doctor tells her that she has only few days left to live. Shreya decides to take care of the kids while Aman is with Maya at the hospital.
When Shreya and the kids come to visit Maya at the hospital, Shreya and Maya have a private conversation. Shreya finally admits that the kids still need her. When Maya gives guardianship to Shreya to look after the kids after her death, she also tells Shreya about one mistake which almost killed Anjali when she was three. Maya explains to Shreya that not every mom is perfect but she needs to keep trying. Maya tells Aman she wants to come home to Diwali as a last day to see her home before she dies. She comes home for Diwali and the kids make a special event for her replaying their memories they had together. When they take a family photograph, Maya asks Shreya to join them as she is now family. Ten years later we see Aleya getting married and Shreya gives her a bracelet which belonged to Maya.
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 child characters in the film were cut to avoid the appearance of using the violence against Indians in Australia controversy to promote the film.
".
of The Statesman
gave the film 2 out of 5 stating, "If it’s possible to produce a sanguine tragedy from a magician’s hat, this is it. But unlike Stepmom, it’s not squelchy, very one-sided (that would be Kajol and more Kajol), riddled with clichéd dialogues, somewhat melodramatic and has trauma skillfully repackaged for urban sensibilities." Komal Nahta
of Koimoi gave the film 1.5 out of 5 saying, "We Are Family will fail to make a mark at the box-office." Nikhat Kazmi of Times of India gave the film 3 out of five and said, "Kajol and Kareena provide heart and soul to a predictable script. Venita Coelho's adapted screenplay lacks the verve of the original, Stepmom." Preeti Arora of Rediff gave the film 1 star stating, "We Are Family begins on a note of confusion. As the film progresses, the sense of confusion increases leaving the viewer disoriented. At the end of two hours, debut director Sidharth Malhotra's film -- which is intended to be a sob story -- did leave the audience in tears".
.
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
film directed by Siddharth Malhotra and produced by Karan Johar
Karan Johar
Karan Johar is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter and Television host. He is the son of Hiroo Johar and Yash Johar. He is one of the most successful filmmakers in Bollywood. He is most known for directing and producing some of Bollywood's highest grossing films in India and the...
. The project features actors Kajol
Kajol
Kajol Devgn , better known as Kajol, is an Indian film actress appearing in Hindi films. She is regarded as one of India's most successful and talented female actors....
, Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor , often informally referred to as Bebo, is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films. During her career, Kapoor has received six Filmfare Awards, among nine nominations, and has been noted for her performances in a range of film genres; these include her work from contemporary...
and Arjun Rampal
Arjun Rampal
Arjun Rampal , born 26 November 1972, is an award-winning Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films, as well as a fashion model.- Film career :...
in the lead roles, and is an official remake of the 1998 film Stepmom
Stepmom (film)
Stepmom is a 1998 comedy-drama film directed by Chris Columbus and starring Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, and Ed Harris.The film was a commercial success, but a moderate critical success.-Plot:...
. It released worldwide on September 3, 2010, and a day before in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and UAE
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
.
Plot
Maya (KajolKajol
Kajol Devgn , better known as Kajol, is an Indian film actress appearing in Hindi films. She is regarded as one of India's most successful and talented female actors....
) is a perfect mother. Her life revolves around her three children, Aleya (Aanchal Munjal), Ankush (Nominath Ginsburg), and Anjali (Diya Sonecha). Despite being divorced from Aman (Arjun Rampal
Arjun Rampal
Arjun Rampal , born 26 November 1972, is an award-winning Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films, as well as a fashion model.- Film career :...
), Maya has ensured that everything runs smoothly in her house and that they continue to remain a happy family unit. However, when Aman introduces his girlfriend, Shreya (Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor , often informally referred to as Bebo, is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films. During her career, Kapoor has received six Filmfare Awards, among nine nominations, and has been noted for her performances in a range of film genres; these include her work from contemporary...
) a career oriented woman, who has a lot to learn about children, to the family, the situation immediately takes an unexpected turn.
When Shreya comes with Aman to Anjali's birthday party, she accidentally drops Anjali's cake - this causes the kids to perceive Shreya as evil. The next day, Aman tells Shreya to babysit the three kids at his house because Maya is out of town. (but she's taking her scanning in the hospital without kids knowing.) At a fashion show a wrong size dress for Shreya's model turns up with a chance of disqualification, Anjali helps Shreya with the outfit with a piece of her doll's clothing. When Shreya goes to get ice cream for the kids, Aleya tells her siblings that she is using them so she can take their dad away; soon after Anjali goes missing. At the police station, Anjali is found and Shreya is told by Aman that she cannot go near the children unless she has Maya's permission.
Several days later, Maya finds out that she has cervical cancer and tells Aman - this prompts him to move back in with the family. However, when Maya tells the kids that she has cancer, Aleya retaliates by going to one of her friend's party with an older boy. After a few days, Maya tells Shreya that she has cancer. Shreya agrees to move in and leaves her career as a fashion designer. In the following days, the kids develop an attachment towards Shreya but when Maya and Shreya have a fight, it is discovered that Shreya was an orphan since she was six months old. After the argument, Aman tells Maya that they should not be competing with each other for the kids love and respect. At the same time Maya faints and ends up in the hospital and the doctor tells her that she has only few days left to live. Shreya decides to take care of the kids while Aman is with Maya at the hospital.
When Shreya and the kids come to visit Maya at the hospital, Shreya and Maya have a private conversation. Shreya finally admits that the kids still need her. When Maya gives guardianship to Shreya to look after the kids after her death, she also tells Shreya about one mistake which almost killed Anjali when she was three. Maya explains to Shreya that not every mom is perfect but she needs to keep trying. Maya tells Aman she wants to come home to Diwali as a last day to see her home before she dies. She comes home for Diwali and the kids make a special event for her replaying their memories they had together. When they take a family photograph, Maya asks Shreya to join them as she is now family. Ten years later we see Aleya getting married and Shreya gives her a bracelet which belonged to Maya.
Cast
- KajolKajolKajol Devgn , better known as Kajol, is an Indian film actress appearing in Hindi films. She is regarded as one of India's most successful and talented female actors....
as Maya - Kareena KapoorKareena KapoorKareena Kapoor , often informally referred to as Bebo, is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films. During her career, Kapoor has received six Filmfare Awards, among nine nominations, and has been noted for her performances in a range of film genres; these include her work from contemporary...
as Shreya - Arjun RampalArjun RampalArjun Rampal , born 26 November 1972, is an award-winning Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films, as well as a fashion model.- Film career :...
as Aman - Aanchal Munjal as Aleya
- Nominath Ginsburg as Ankush
- Diya Sonecha as Anjali
Production
Karan Johar decided to adapt the movie for an Indian audience. Although he initially intended to buy the rights to the film, he eventually opted to co-produce it with Sony Pictures.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 child characters in the film were cut to avoid the appearance of using the violence against Indians in Australia controversy to promote the film.
Soundtrack
The album has six original songs composed by Shankar Ehsaan Loy, including a tribute to Elvis Presley's "Jailhouse RockJailhouse Rock (song)
"Jailhouse Rock" is a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller that first became a hit for Elvis Presley. The song was released as a 45rpm single on September 24, 1957, to coincide with the release of Presley's motion picture, Jailhouse Rock...
".
- Ankhon Mein Neendein - Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & Shreya Ghoshal (5:02)
- Dil Khol Ke Let's Rock - Anushka ManchandaAnushka ManchandaAnushka Manchanda is an Indian singer, model, an ex-Channel [V] -VJ and was a member of the Indian pop girl group Viva!.-Biography:...
, Akriti Kakkar & Suraj JaganSuraj JaganSuraj Jagan is an Indian playback singer. He is noted for the song Give Me Some Sunshine from the award-winning movie 3 Idiots. The song received the "Best Emerging Male Performer" award in the Max Stardust Award. Jagan's singing career began in 1990, and has included both solo work and as front...
(03:57) - Reham O Karam - Vishal Dadlani & Shankar MahadevanShankar MahadevanShankar Mahadevan is an Indian music composer and singer. He is a part of the Shankar Ehsaan Loy trio team that composes for Indian films and a playback singer.-Early life:...
(05:47) - Hamesha & Forever - Sonu NigamSonu NigamSonu Nigam is an Indian playback singer whose songs have been featured in numerous Hindi movies, as well as films in Assamese, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi and Kannada language. He has also released numerous Indi-pop albums and acted in a few Hindi feature films...
& Shreya Ghoshal (04:51) - Sun Le Dua Yeh Aasmaan (Theme Slow Version) - Bela ShendeBela ShendeBela Shende is an Indian playback singer. She performed several songs in Bollywood and regional films. 'Su Che' from the film What's Your Raashee?, 'Aata Wajle Ki Baara' and 'Apsara Aali' from Natarang are some of her hits....
(03:53) - We Are Family (Theme) - (02:48)
Critical response
Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics. Khalid Mohamed of Passion For Cinema gave the film 1 out of 5 stars and said, "Here’s one Family you’d hate to see move in next-door. Don’t answer the doorbell please". IANS rated the film 4 out of 5 saying, "We Are Family" is equally appealing from the outside and at the heart". Mayank Shekhar of The Hindustan Times gave the film two stars and stated, "Filmmakers hope you’ll hear the lady behind you go, sob sob sob… Hmmm". Mathures PaulMathures Paul
Mathures Paul is a journalist working with The Statesman newspaper in India. With articles spread over a wide range of subjects—films, music, information & technology, photography, dance and books—he is also the newspaper's film and music critic...
of The Statesman
The Statesman
The Statesman is an Indian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper founded in 1875 and published simultaneously in Kolkata, New Delhi, Siliguri and Bhubaneswar. The Statesman is owned by The Statesman Ltd., its headquarters at Statesman House, Chowringhee Square, Calcutta and its national...
gave the film 2 out of 5 stating, "If it’s possible to produce a sanguine tragedy from a magician’s hat, this is it. But unlike Stepmom, it’s not squelchy, very one-sided (that would be Kajol and more Kajol), riddled with clichéd dialogues, somewhat melodramatic and has trauma skillfully repackaged for urban sensibilities." Komal Nahta
Komal Nahta
Komal Nahta is the editor and publisher of "Film Information", India's largest film trade journal. He is also an anchor of the Trade show ETC Bollywood Business on the Bollywood TV channels ETC and Zee Cinema. Well known for his harsh criticism of Movies....
of Koimoi gave the film 1.5 out of 5 saying, "We Are Family will fail to make a mark at the box-office." Nikhat Kazmi of Times of India gave the film 3 out of five and said, "Kajol and Kareena provide heart and soul to a predictable script. Venita Coelho's adapted screenplay lacks the verve of the original, Stepmom." Preeti Arora of Rediff gave the film 1 star stating, "We Are Family begins on a note of confusion. As the film progresses, the sense of confusion increases leaving the viewer disoriented. At the end of two hours, debut director Sidharth Malhotra's film -- which is intended to be a sob story -- did leave the audience in tears".
Box office performance
The film grossed about Rs. 2.7 crore on its opening day and collected a total of Rs. 20.5 crore at the end of its second week. At the end of its theatrical run, it grossed around 40 crores and was eventually declared an average grosser. We Are Family also performed well overseas, particularly in the UK.Award
Kapoor won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 56th Filmfare Awards56th Filmfare Awards
The 56th Filmfare Awards were held on January 29, 2011 at the Yash Raj Studios in Mumbai, honouring the best in film for the year 2010. The nominations were announced on January 13. The date of the function was unusual because generally the awards are hosted on the last Saturday of February...
.