Producer: Bobby Bedi, Mani Ratnam, Yash Raj Films 
Director: Shaad Ali 
Cast: Vivek Oberoi, Rani Mukherjee, Tanuja, Sandhya Mridul, Satish Shah, Tinu Anand, Shah Rukh Khan
Music: A.R. Rahman
Lyrics: Gulzar

A remake of Mani Ratnam’s Tamil film Alai Payuthe, Saathiya brings back the good old middle class family to the glossier world of cinema. It’s a refreshing change.

Aditya (Vivek Oberoi) a collegiate meets Suhani (Rani Mukherjee) a medical student at a marriage and falls in love with her. When she rebuffs his advances he is undeterred. He follows her in local trains and soon she can’t continue to say no to him. But when she agrees, their parents form an opposition. The couple separates, as Suhani doesn’t wish to hurt her parents. Eventually love triumphs and they get married secretly.

The story doesn’t end here, rather it begins. The toll life and love takes on this newly married couple forms the crux of the film. How they fall into petty arguments, which build into huge fights. How egos rule their world instead of the pre confessed love. How they almost lose each other.

Also, the guest appearances give the impression that they have been added, perhaps, to enhance the star appeal of the film. However, the star presence does nothing to elevate the story or the prospects of the film. Shah Rukh Khan's role is something that could've been portrayed by just about anyone. The superstar hardly has any lines to deliver and the length of his role is miniscule. It fails to register any impact whatsoever. Same is for a talented name like Tabu, who has been wasted in an insignificant role.

A R Rehman’s music as usual doesn’t register at first but when it does it gets into your blood. The haunting music of the title song, fun and frolic of Udi Udi... and rap tune of Humdum suniyo re... is a booster for the film.

Vivek Oberoi has proved he can act and act with a difference too. After Company and Road, Saathiya is definitely in the proper commercial slot and shows how well he can deliver.

Rani Mukherjee has given a real good performance. Compared to her last two three films she has definitely improved and this film will be an important one in her career.

A film which is a refreshing change is worth a watch.