How a Wife Should Be

This could have been a little better. My expectation was high, this could be a reason I didn't like this movie. Mostly I watch for Kader Khan. Salman as a villain for the first and last time until 2019.

In what was quite possibly the worst decade for movies in Hindi cinema - this is a hidden gem. Not only does it tackle the issue of mother-in-law vs daughter-in-law it is also the story of forgiveness and female empowerment. The stars of the show are Bindu who is spectacular in one of the best "iron lady" roles ever - and of course Rekha who was spellbinding and equally charming playing the relentless Shalu. The music is a weak point, although the pre-climax song "Saasu ji tune merit radar na jani" has become a cult classic. Kader Khan is at his best as subservient husband. Farukh Sheikh also restrained does well. Salman Khan in his debut is one-dimensional but saved by his good-looks. Surprisingly Rekha was not nominated for her role, although she did win that year for Khoon Bhari Maang. Watch it for the electrifying chemistry of Rekha and Bindu - and the climax which makes the film special.

In films like "First Love", the rotund, gravel-voiced Eugene Palette used to do a great turn as a man who watches with detachment whilst his wife and offspring made fools of themselves. Eventually, his bottled up indignation would explode to good comic effect. In "Biwi Ho To Aisi " (roughly, "a wife should be like this") Kader Khan (or Kadar as he is credited here) is cast in the Eugene Palette role. He does a fine job of humouring his ill-tempered wife, whilst consoling her victims and confiding to the audience with direct-to-camera asides. Bindu, playing the domineering wife, roars round the house like a tornado, heaping high volume invective and scorn on all in her path whilst Salman Khan makes an energetic debut as a pop music loving teenager (in a sub-plot involving a deceitful girlfriend). Farooq Shaikh (here credited as Farouque Sheikh) shows again what a fine actor he is. His role calls for him to be submissive towards his mother, pally with his father, tender towards his adopted sister and romantic with Rekha. Their scene together, as they take refuge from the "battle of the bindis", is particularly sensitive. Rekha is at her best, playing a sort of Eliza Doolittle character. We see her first, dressed in a gorgeous South Indian costume, routing a village bully in an extended comic scene. Later, transplanted to the Bindhari household we see her circling her foe physically and psychologically; sizing her up during the battle of wills with Bindu. She also gets an opportunity to put her yoga training to good use in another action scene. The usual, final plot twist is here made all the more enjoyable for being so deliciously implausible. Altogether, very entertaining.

Biwi Ho To Aisi gives a decent example of how a wife behaves towards her husband and also target on house rules. Though Salman Khan was seen in a supporting character he did his best considering his debut to silver screen at that time portraying the younger brother of the lead actor Farooq Sheikh. The film centers mainly on Farooq Sheikh, Rekha, Bindu and Kader Khan while Salman did feature on the main scenes especially the Climax. Story, Screenplay, Dialogues and Plot was average Direction was good Starcast, Chemistry between the stars, and performances were excellent Music, Lyrics and Choreography was average Excellent Presentation and Execution style with a Happy Ending Climax Overall it was a light entry for Salman Khan in the Industry and superb performances by other star casts