Papa Kahte Hain comes as a good introduction to Mayuri Kango and a revival of Rajesh Roshan's music. Roshan has come back to deliver a shock to the Indian audience, similar to what late R.D. Burman did with his 1942-A Love Story a mere 2 years ago. Unlike 1942-ALS, Papa Kahte Hain is a light musical movie with average direction, beautiful songs and sets, and average acting.
Papa Kahte Hain seems to be following the trend that Sooraj Bharjatiya started in 1994 with Hum Aapke Hain Kaun...! and Aditya Chopra in 1995 with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. The key to this template are great songs, beautiful sets, and light, comical direction and story. Papa Kahte Hain has all three, although it lacks the excellent direction and acting that Hum Aapke... and Dilwale Dulhania... have.
The story is a derivative of the English hit "My Father the Hero". Shweta (aka Sweety & Mayuri Kango) lives with her grandparents and mother in Mumbai. She has never seen her father before. Shweta is always moaning and groaning about having never seen her father. Then one day her mother gives up and Shweta finds out that her father resides in the island of Seychelles. Shweta takes off to the small island and poses as Mr. Anand's (Anupam Kher) daughter so she can stay at a resort. She meets and falls in love with Rohit, the resort's owner's son. In the five days that Shweta stays with Anand, they develop a relationship like father and daughter. Figuring out that Anand is actually Shweta's father and Shweta and Rohit's relationship are the subjects of the rest of the film.
Mayuri Kango has done an above average job for her first film. She looks good in some shots and not so good in some shots. Jugal Hansraj looks like a "beautiful guy" that serves the purpose of most ladies of now-a-day movies-- a puppet to sing songs and say a few dialogues. Anupam Kher is as usual, excellent. Rajesh Roshan's music is outstanding, the lyrics, penned by Javed Akhtar fit right in with the story (unlike most now-a-day lyricists). Songs that stand out are Ghar Se Nikalte Hi and Pehle Pyar Ka Pehla Gham. The direction of these songs and the scenes of the sets are splendid and a treat to watch. Cinematography is at its best. There is no dancing, except for one song where Reema Lagoo and Alok Nath have a guest appearance at a marriage-- a take off of Hum Aapke Hain Kaun...!. Mahesh Bhatt's direction is average. The movie could have been much better if the direction had been also. Parents, there is no violence in this one. Overall, Papa Kahte Hain is an entertainer that is a treat to watch compared to most new movies.