Hope Salman and Aamir are reading this 
By Harneet Singh (Screen Weekly), July 26, 2007 - 14:07 IST
First there was Jai and Veeru. Then came Munna and Circuit. And now please welcome Prem and Bhaskar.
David Dhawan's 'common sense and nonsense' mascots in Partner are creating a laugh riot across screens all over the country. Never
mind the critics David and his musketeers don't give a damn about them the verdict is crystal clear. Partner is a surefire hit.
There is no doubt whatsoever that Partner is unabashedly inspired by the Will Smith starrer Hitch but unlike the original, which was
a romcom, David has treated Partner as a buddy flick. It's a smart move since the crackling chemistry between Salman Khan and Govinda
holds the entire madcap enterprise. Watch the duo in the scene where Salman teaches Govinda to chill while dancing and you know that these
two guys are the new pin ups for the buddy movie genre.
If Salman plays the uber cool dude to the hilt then Govinda is the personification of a filmi loser. Displaying great comic timing, both the
actors play up the contrasts in their personas, make good-natured digs at each other and in the process bring down the house. The camaraderie
doesn't seem forced and the laughs seem genuine too. The viewer has a great time because he can sense that the actors are having a great time
together. All in all Team Partner deserve kudos for bringing e smiles back at the BO.
The success of Partner reaffirms Salman's smashing track record in two-hero projects. Salman is perhaps the only hero in the top league
who has worked with most of his rival contemporaries and more often than not the films have been victorious at the BO. The most heartening
aspect about Salman's two-hero projects is that there having hardly been any stories of power struggle or infighting with the other actor. No
wonder Govinda calls him as “the most secure actor” he's worked with.
Salman's first double hero film was Saajan with Sanjay Dutt. A self confessed Sanju fan, Salman has also work with his idol in Chal Mere
Bhai, Yeh Hai Jalwa and the aborted Dus. In all these enterprises, Salman's affection for “Baba” (as Salman calls him) comes across.
He's been more than happy to be in Sanju's company.
Salman and Shah Rukh Khan made for successful combo in Karan Arjun, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam. The
pairing works on many levels. While SRK's high voltage energy smacks you the moment he appears on screen, Salman on the other hand, slowly
envelops the screen and makes you want to be his best friend.
I also love watching Salman and Akshay Kumar together. They kicked up a fabulous beach bash in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and were totally
in forms in Jaan-E-Mann. In both their films, they've squared over a women. They do pose a tough choice for any girl since both of them
are extremely good looking and stylish. There is also a healthy sense of rivalry between them, if you look closely you can see them sizing up each
other, which of course has worked fabulously in their on-screen escapades.
Salman has also had a fruitful association with Anil Kapoor in Biwi No. 1, No Entry and Salaam-e-Ishq. Interestingly, in all these
films, Salman and Anil have bonded over infidelity and marriage. There is great comfort between them and the films reflect that.
Salman has also paired off successfully with Sunny Deol (Jeet) and Saif Ali Khan (Hum Saath Hain). And of course who can forget
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam where Salman played the passionate lover to the hilt as opposed to Ajay Devgan's sacrificing husband? The one
scene that they had together where Salman teaches Ajay to sing was just not enough. Sanjay Leela Bhansali should have given us more since
the duo displayed fabulous rapport. Honestly, we felt cheated. I really hope that London Dreams is revived so that we can enjoy watching
these two actors stir up a great musical rhapsody.
Last but definitely not the least, someone please order a sequel to Rajkumar Santoshi's cult classic Andaaz Apna Apna. Aamir Khan and
Salman were born to play their Amar Prem avatars. Their comic one-upmanship antics were howlarious and their timing was perfects. This
one is screaming for a second serve. Hope Salman and Aamir are reading this.
Screen India
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