We Are Family

Changing India has witnessed several drastic variations in the lifestyle, personal lives and relationships of the urban family. Making a remake of "Stepmom" over a decade back would have not earned such a kind response and adulation. However, today traditionalism takes equal strides along with modernity and 'We are family' is given a warm welcome... By rendering an official adaptation of the Hollywood hit "Stepmom", Karan Johar brings for the desi audience yet another tear-jerker based in an NRI backdrop.

Aman (Arjun Rampal) a fashion photographer, who was once married to Maya (Kajol), still maintains a cordial relationship with his ex-wife for the sake of his three young children... The fact that the three young children are happy with this set-up is mildly disturbing, but still to convince the audience they are shown as a perfectly solid, happy family where they get to meet their daddy on weekends.

But all hell breaks loose when Arjun introduces the kids to Shreya, who is interestingly named "Daayan" by the little, cute one of the family.

Shreya, an ambitious, trendy, career woman works as a fashion designer and her world revolves around her boyfriend Arjun & the glamorous life she leads. But getting along with 3 kids, one who is a tiny tot Anjali, a 13-teen something, rebellious Aaliyah and an all-knowing Ankush is a gigantic task compared to draping her models in fashionable clothes. As Maya and Shreya come face-to-face with each other, the expected hatred, acrimony is noticed when the leading ladies get busy trying to scratch one another with the claws of their sharp insults and rebukes.

Just when the kids succeed in brushing Shreya off their lives forever, Maya is diagnosed with a life-threatening disease... With few days to live, Maya suddnely faces reality that tomorrow her children would fall alone forever. She decides to create a family for her children who would care & love for them... As a result, Shreya joins the household to bond with the kids and bring in stability to the shattering hearts of the kids, Maya and Aman. However, in one scene, when it is known that Maya is left with few days, the "family" gets together to give a special, loving treat to Maya which involves a slide show of nostalgic moments, photos of fun times and love... Here Maya is made to wear a dull Saree with zero make-up and a white shawl-cum-dupatta which gives her an aging grandmother kind of appearance rather than a sweet, young mother spending the last moments of her life in a happy manner...

Watch the movie to know how Shreya tries to carve a special place in the hearts of the young children and Maya deals with her illness & sorrows. The movie is filled with a heavy sense of sorrow but has some genuinely "heart-tugging moments in the form of - family bonding times involving Kajol and her children, Shreya & Maya attempting to be friends" ... "Rock on" the peppy number which is based on "Jailhouse Rock" is an ode to Elvis Presley that brightens up the somber and solemn atmosphere of this flick, where one gets to see kareena, Kajol and Arjun grooving together in full swing and having the time of their life...

Overall, this flick is a complete ride into the world of emotions, tears and sorrows sprinkled with few bright moments... Leading ladies Kajol and Kareena have put up wonderful performances by justifying their respective roles of the perfect mom and career woman-turned-dainty housekeeper + mom...