Flashback Friday: Rajinikanth And Amitabh Bachchan's 'Hum' Is Nothing Extraordinary But A Package Of Drama And Action

Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan are fantastic together in 'Hum' because of their respective charm and ferocity.

The biggest appeal of 'Hum' was clearly Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan's on-screen presence.

Source : Screengrab from Prime Video

WHY 'HUM' IS THIS WEEK'S PICK

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After 32 years, Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan are finally reuniting on the big screen together. The duo are working on their upcoming film 'Thalaivar 170'. Given that 'Hum' (1991) was their last film together, we decided to revisit it to enjoy the music and plot once again.

New Delhi: The 1991 film ‘Hum’ is a shining illustration of the impact that a stellar ensemble can have in the Indian film industry. The film became the fourth highest-grossing movie of that year. The biggest appeal was clearly Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan's on-screen presence, both of whom at the time possessed a tremendous fan following.

Directed by Mukul S. Anand, ‘Hum' stars Govinda, Danny Denzongpa, Kimi Katkar, Deepa Sahi, Shilpa Shirodkar, Anupam Kher and more. With Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan in the lead roles, 'Hum' was a highly anticipated collaboration between the two.

Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan complement each other well despite their very different approaches to acting. Bachchan played the extortioner Tiger, alias Shekhar Malhotra. Rajinikanth played the police officer Kumaar. The story of 'Hum' focuses on the relationship between Tiger and his brothers Kumaar and Vijay. In order to bring law and order back to the streets, they band together to bring down Bakhtawar (Danny Denzongpa). Anupam Kher, Kader Khan and Annu Kapoor were among the competent supporting cast members.

Tiger swears to take revenge on Bhakhtawar after learning that his lover Jumma's brother Gonsalves was killed by Bhakhtawar for rebelling against him. The narrative is simple and focuses on the protagonists' efforts to get Bakhtawar punished. The makers did not pay much attention and overlooked the story's predictability.

The action sequences may not have the same level of visual awe as in today’s action films, but they are nonetheless executed well. Songs like 'Jumma Chumma De De' and 'Ek Doosre Se Karte Hain Pyaar Hum' became instant classics. Fans still like these tunes decades after their first release. 

'Hum' is reminiscent of an earlier time in Indian film, when people went to see their favourite performers in action and star power sometimes overpower complex storylines. While it's not necessarily a groundbreaking film, it fairly represents drama, action and entertainment. Melodramatic situations and an undercooked narrative can be a turn-off for viewers looking for something more intellectual.

The second half of the film is a fantastic family entertainment. Sometimes the movie seems ‘too preachy,’ as if the directors are making a ludicrous effort to insert the idea of 'Hum' somewhere into the plot. The charisma of Rajinikanth and the intensity of Amitabh Bachchan make a great on-screen duo.

While it may not have been a game-changer in terms of plot, the delight of seeing two of Indian cinema's all-time greats in one film ensures that ‘Hum’ will always be remembered fondly. With fans of all ages still raving about how great Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan are, the film's staying power is a tribute to the stars' continuing appeal.