Yeh Vaada Raha is loved by so many Hmong people. My parents always say the "Vicky and Sunita" movie. I've seen this movie so many times in Thai and Hmong dub. Or even with English subtitles. I own the Hmong dub version and the Hindi version with English subs. I wish I could find a clearer version of the movie. Since Hmong people love this movie soooo much, I thought it was really popular in India. Boy, was I wrong!!! The music was definitely really popular but movie wise, I don't think it was loved by Indians as much as it was loved by Hmong people. I remember one of my Hmong friends telling me she was telling her Indian friend about it the movie. The Indian friend was clueless about the movie. My Hmong friend thought Yeh Vaada Raha would be that popular in India.
A discussion came up about romantic movies you have to watch before you die in PebHmong forum so I thought I'll write about it here on my blog. It's been a while since I've seen the film. I rewatched most of it last night and made screen caps. So here goes.....
So what is Yeh Vaada Raha about? Yeh Vaada Raha is about a rich guy Vicky (Rishi Kapoor) falling in love with an orphan girl Sunita (Poonam Dhillon). Vicky's mother disaprove of the relationship. Vicky and Sunita elope but end up in an accident. Sunita is badly injured and her face is deformed. Vicky's mother (Rakhee) lies to Vicky that Sunita is dead. Sunita goes to a plastic surgeon to undergo surgey. She keeps quiet about the surgery and waits to see Vicky in six months. Surgery is completed and successful. However, no one knew how Sunita looked like. She now has a new face. Will Vicky's love overcome it all? Or does look really matter?
Rishi Kapoor - during his younger days, I found him very handsome and charming. In the early to mid 90s, I hated his pairing with younger actresses. Why Bollywood? Don't pair up older men with young stars!!! Rishi is adorable. I am a fan of his movies. (I'm glad his son Ranbir Kapoor has the looks and bod of a hottie!!!) Rishi as Vicky was soooo great. Many people who criticize him now haven't seen his older films. He's a good dancer and is great in quawaali.
Poonam Dhillon - cute and innocent looking. I'm not a fan of her but I've seen quite a few movies of hers. She plays the beautiful orphan girl Sunita really well. She ends up playing the supporting role in Yeh Vaada Raha.
Love at first sight. Stalking girl to win her heart is a popular theme in Bollywood in the 80s and 90s.
Rakesh Bedi - I've always see him in small roles. He's funny. I remember him most from the movie Lovers. He has such a small role in Yeh Vaada Raha as well playing Gogi, Vicky's friend. He is an artist and heard Vicky chant Sunita's name. He ask Vicky to describe Sunita (song breaks out) and Gogi paints a portrait of Sunita with Vicky's descriptions.
Vicky thinking and dreaming of Sunita....describing (singing) about her beauty. Who says looks don't matter???
Such a beautiful and accruate portrait of Sunita. Vicky sure knows how to describe. Gogi is such an artist. :)
Watch "Aisa Kabhi Hua Nahin" below
The best way to win her heart and to save her from embarassment. She'll love you back and you'll get the necklace you tried to win earlier.
Watch "Jeene Ko Toh Jeete Hai" below
The cute and famous song "Tu Hai Wahi". I couldn't get a good screen cap of the adorable clapping hands dance movements.
Watch "Tu Hai Wahi" below
Vicky and Sunita promise to always be together. Together they tie the necklace Vicky gave Sunita.
Mom does not approve of Sunita. You have to marry a rich girl. How does that look like if you marry a poor orphan girl? Rakhee is a good actress. She makes you hate her and that's a good thing! From the moment you saw her on screen, you wanted to choke her!
I didn't make any screen caps of "Maine Tujhe" but watch the video below
Since Mother disapprove, Vicky and Sunita elopes. Friend Gogi is there for support.
Unfotunately they met with an accident. Vicky and Gogi had minor injuries while poor Sunita's face is severely damaged.
Shammi Kapoor plays Dr. Mehra, the plastic surgeon who will treat Sunita. I have not seen many of Shammi's movies but I absolutely loved him in Yeh Vaada Raha!
Dr. Mehra tells Sunita to be strong for the next six months. After surgery, she can surprise Vicky. I wonder how the rest of her body doesn't have much pain?
Surgery is completed. Sunita's face is beautiful. However, it's not the same Sunita as before. Dr. Mehra didn't have a picture of Sunita. She didn't realize her face until she was about to call Vicky and sees herself in the mirror.
I didn't make any screen caps of Sunita imaging herself with Vicky after surgery but watch below
Vicky still misses and loves Sunita. He can not move on with his life.
Sarika plays Rita, the girl who Vicky's mother wants Vicky to marry. She comes from a wealthy family. Sarika is very lovely and fits the role perfectly. Her character isn't snotty but just wants love from Vicky.
Tina Munim plays Sunita Number 2. I think she is absolutely beautiful. I prefer her look over Poonam Dhillon. I've seen several of Tina's movies and I absolutely adore her! Sunita Number 2 goes by the name Kusum in the second half because she wants to move on with her life because she thinks Vicky has moved on with Rita.
Look at the colors. It's definitely an 80s fashion statement.
Watch the video below, "Mil Gayi Aaj Do"
Overall, despite my stupid comments....I do loooove this movie. I know it's an older movies which I can find so many WTF moments. It's one of my childhood Bollywood films I grew up watching and loving. Not every film is realistic and you just have to watch Yeh Vaada Rah with an open mind and heart. I think Hmong people adore this movie for its twist in the old story - poor girl, rich boy scenerio. We love fantasy like movies and love a man who will always love us no matter what.