Taal

Title: Taal “Rhythm”
Director: Subhash Ghai
Release Date: August 13, 1999 (India)
Cast:
Anil Kapoor as Vikrant Kapoor
Akshaye Khanna as Manav Mehta
Aishwarya Rai as Mansi
Alok Nath as Tara Babu
Amrish Puri as Jagmohan Mehta
Summary:
This movie masters every element a typical Bollywood film is known for. If you want rich-poor romance, familial drama, exceptional dance sequences, elaborate costumes, amazing soundtracks, and breath-taking sceneries, this is the movie to watch.
The two main protagonists, who end up becoming lovers within thirty minutes of the film, are Manav Mehta (played by Akshaye Khanna) and Mansi (played by Aishwarya Rai). Manav originally being from the UK and never having been to India decides to take a sight-seeing road trip of India by himself. During this trip, he coincidentally sees Mansi and falls instantly in love with her. The two becomes lovers knowing that their union will not be easily allowed from both of their families because of the tremendous gap between their family statuses. Mansi is a normal, everyday village girl who lives for her father while Manav is the son of a prestigious family who happens to be extremely wealthy. As characters misunderstand one another throughout the film, Mansi at one point leaves every hope for their union behind and becomes a dancing-modeling star. Vikrant, her producer falls in love with Mansi and is determined to make her his wife. Ultimately Vikrant and Manav fight for Mansi’s love. The film beautifully unfolds as the elements of familial love and wealth and status differences play within the film. -Esther Yi