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Salaam Namaste

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Salaam Namaste
Movie poster
Directed bySiddharth Anand
Screenplay bySiddharth Anand
Dialogues byAbbas Tyrewala
Produced byAditya Chopra
Starring
Narrated byAbhishek Bachchan
CinematographySunil Patel
Edited byRitesh Soni
Music by
Production
company
Distributed byYash Raj Films
Release date
  • 9 September 2005 (2005-09-09)
Running time
159 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹110 million (US$1.3 million)[1]
Box office₹572 million (equivalent to ₹1.9 billion or US$23 million in 2023)[2]

Salaam Namaste (transl. Hello Greetings) is a 2005 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Siddharth Anand, in his directorial debut, and produced by Aditya Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner. The film stars Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta, with supporting performances from Arshad Warsi, Tania Zaetta, and Jugal Hansraj. Set in Melbourne, Australia, the narrative follows Nick and Ambar, two modern Indian expatriates who navigate the challenges of cohabitation, career, and unexpected parenthood after choosing to live together without marriage.

The film marked Anand's debut as a director and was the first Indian film to be shot entirely in Australia.[3] Principal photography took place across various locations in and around Melbourne. The music was composed by Vishal–Shekhar, with lyrics by Jaideep Sahni.

Released theatrically on 9 September 2005, Salaam Namaste received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. The performances, direction, and contemporary treatment of relationships were praised, though some criticism was directed at its narrative length. The film became the third highest-grossing Indian film of the year and the top overseas performer for an Indian release in 2005, with notable success in markets such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and North America.[4][5]

On 24 September 2005, the screenplay was invited to the permanent script collection of the Margaret Herrick Library, maintained by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[6][7] Zinta’s performance received widespread acclaim, earning her nominations for Best Actress at the Filmfare Awards, IIFA Awards, Star Screen Awards, and Zee Cine Awards.[8][9][10]

Plot

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Nikhil "Nick" Arora, an Indian architect-turned-chef, and Ambar "Amby" Malhotra, a medical student and radio jockey, are two independent, modern Indians living in Melbourne, Australia. Nick was sent abroad to study architecture but pursues his passion for cooking, eventually becoming head chef of his own restaurant. Ambar, having declined several arranged marriage proposals in India, chooses to remain in Australia after a student exchange program and is financially supporting herself by working at the local radio station Salaam Namaste, after being disowned by her parents.

Nick is scheduled for an interview on Ambar’s radio show but misses it twice, prompting Ambar to insult him on-air. The two meet at a wedding, unaware of each other's identities, and begin to connect. Nick’s friend Ron falls for Ambar’s friend Cathy, and the two couples grow closer. Nick eventually appears on the radio show and publicly confesses his feelings for Ambar. The two fall in love and decide to move in together without getting married.

Although they initially try to maintain personal boundaries, their relationship becomes physical. When Ambar discovers she is pregnant, the couple initially plan to terminate the pregnancy, but she changes her mind. This decision leads to conflict and ultimately a breakup. Over the next several months, the pair continue to clash while cohabiting, leading to several comedic situations. During one argument, Ambar feels the baby kick, prompting Nick to realise he still loves her.

Ambar later asks Nick to undergo a thalassemia test, due to her being a carrier. At the clinic, he learns she is expecting twins. On his way home, he reflects on his absence during her pregnancy and resolves to take responsibility. He goes to buy an engagement ring but sees Ambar trying on rings with a friend, Jignesh, and mistakenly assumes she is getting engaged to him.

Distraught, Nick drinks heavily and brings home a woman named Stella. The next morning, Stella reveals that Nick spent the night crying over Ambar. Meanwhile, Ambar sees Stella leaving and misinterprets the situation. Nick later learns that Ambar was helping Jignesh shop for his girlfriend’s engagement ring. With help from the radio station’s listeners, Nick finds Ambar and apologises, but her water breaks and they rush to the hospital.

At the hospital, Ron and Cathy are also expecting a child, and Stella reappears as a nurse. She assures Ambar of Nick’s fidelity. The couple is assisted by a humorous obstetrician, Dr. Vijay, who manages the delivery despite his eccentricity. Before the birth, Nick proposes, and Ambar accepts. The film concludes with the couple welcoming twin children.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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Salaam Namaste marked the directorial debut of Siddharth Anand. In addition to directing, Anand made a cameo appearance in the film as a taxi driver in the climax sequence.[11]

Casting

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The film featured several cameo appearances. Abhishek Bachchan served as the narrator and appeared in the final act as Dr. Vijay Kumar, an eccentric obstetrician.[12] Arshad Warsi's wife, Maria Goretti, and their son, Zeke, appeared in a bookstore scene alongside Saif Ali Khan's character.[13] Preity Zinta’s then-partner, Ness Wadia, made a brief appearance as a man reading a newspaper on a bus.

Filming

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Salaam Namaste was the first Indian film to be shot entirely in Australia, primarily in and around Melbourne and regional Victoria. The production utilized various locations, including the Great Ocean Road and Rye Beach on the Mornington Peninsula.[citation needed] Tourism Australia reported a significant rise in Indian tourism, attributed in part to the film’s popularity.[14]

Themes

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Salaam Namaste explores contemporary themes such as cohabitation, premarital sex, and unplanned pregnancy, situating them within the context of modern Indian identity and diaspora life. The film addresses the tension between domesticity and individual freedom, particularly among young urban professionals navigating life outside traditional Indian social frameworks.

In their academic study, Snachari De and Amit Sarwal noted that the film presents the "Australian Dream" as an alternative to the traditionally valorized "American Dream" in diaspora narratives. They further observed that premarital pregnancy, while potentially taboo in Indian society, is normalized within the film’s narrative, reflecting shifting attitudes among globalised Indian youth.[15]

Film critic Subhash K. Jha commented on the film’s portrayal of commitment-phobia, particularly among career-driven men, writing that “beneath the vibrant veneer, the film makes a very telling and serious comment on commitment-phobia, especially among the ambitious urban males who would rather have their cake and sleep with it too.”[16]

Soundtrack

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Salaam Namaste
Soundtrack album by
Vishal–Shekhar
Released3 August 2005 (India)
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LabelYash Raj Music
ProducerVishal–Shekhar
Vishal–Shekhar chronology
Dus
(2005) 		Salaam Namaste
(2005) 		Ek Ajnabee
(2005)

The soundtrack of Salaam Namaste features seven tracks, including four original songs and two remixes, composed by the duo Vishal–Shekhar, with lyrics by Jaideep Sahni. The album was released on 3 August 2005 by YRF Music.

The music was commercially successful. According to Box Office India, the album sold approximately 1.4 million units, making it the thirteenth highest-selling Bollywood soundtrack of the year.[17]

Track list
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Salaam Namaste (Title Track)"Kunal Ganjawala, Vasundhara Das04.37
2."Tu Jahan"Sonu Nigam, Mahalakshmi Iyer05.15
3."My Dil Goes Mmmm"Shaan, Gayatri Iyer07.34
4."What's Going On?"Kunal Ganjawala, Sunidhi Chauhan04.41
5."My Dil Goes Mmmm (English Club Mix)"Shaan, Caralisa Monteiro (mix by DJ Aqeel Ali)04.08
6."Salaam Namaste (Title Track - Dhol Mix)"Kunal Ganjawala, Vasundhara Das, DJ Nikhil Chinapa, DJ Naved Khan03.54
7."My Dil Goes Mmmm (English Club Mix - Instrumental)"Instrumental (mix by DJ Aqeel Ali)04.08

Release

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Salaam Namaste was the highest-grossing Indian film at the overseas market.[5][18] It grossed ₹572 million (US$6.8 million) worldwide.[2]

Salaam Namaste had a notable cultural impact in Australia, where it was entirely shot. Fran Bailey, then Australia's Minister for Small Business and Tourism, credited the film with contributing to a 21% rise in Indian tourism to Australia. She stated, “Australia is receiving enormous exposure through Salaam Namaste, the latest Bollywood hit filmed entirely on location in Victoria.”[19]

Reception

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Box office

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Salaam Namaste emerged as a commercial success, becoming the third highest-grossing Indian film of the year and the highest-grossing Indian film in the overseas market that year.[5][18] The film grossed approximately ₹572 million (US$6.8 million) worldwide.[2]

Critical reception

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Salaam Namaste received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise directed at its contemporary themes, performances, and fresh approach to urban relationships. Particular acclaim was given to Preity Zinta's portrayal of Ambar, which was widely considered among her finest performances.

Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "an immensely likeable film that should appeal to all ages, mainly its target audience—the youth." He praised Saif Ali Khan’s "spirited performance" and described Zinta’s work as "her most accomplished performance to date."[20] The Hindu highlighted the film’s emotional relatability, especially in the second half, noting Zinta’s "good job with the hysterics."[21] Dominic Ferrao of Filmfare wrote that both leads "come off with flying colors," and called the film an example of how "Indian cinema is evolving."[22] Pratim D. Gupta of The Telegraph called it "the film of the year," citing Khan’s comic timing and Zinta’s screen presence as key strengths.[23]

Several critics emphasized the film’s nuanced take on adult relationships. Devyani Srivastava of Mid-Day wrote that the film’s "substance lies in the pensive questions it poses," and described Zinta’s character Ambar as "a rare Bollywood heroine" for her independence and assertiveness.[24] Subhash K. Jha argued that the performances compensated for what he considered a "mediocre story," while Screen praised the visual appeal and the "confident debut" of director Siddharth Anand.[16][25] Sarita Tanwar of Mid-Day called the subject "bold, refreshing, and unique" but felt the screenplay required "fine-tuning."[26] Lindsay Perreira of Rediff.com appreciated the humor and the chemistry between the leads, noting that it offered "an afternoon of laughs" and a "well-shot tour of Melbourne."[27] Rama Sharma of The Tribune described the film as worth watching despite what she felt was an "inadequate" ending.[28]

Some critics were more reserved. Namrata Joshi of Outlook praised the film’s progressive portrayal of its characters but found the treatment of the pregnancy subplot unconvincing.[29] Khalid Mohamed of DNA India noted the film was "polarized between the terrific and the tedious," though he acknowledged the strength of the lead performances.[30] Anubha Sawhney pointed out similarities to the 1995 Hollywood film Nine Months, suggesting that certain scenes were directly inspired by it.[31]

Internationally, Salaam Namaste also received attention. Derek Elley of Variety described it as "a bonny 2.5 hours of dialogue-driven entertainment," commending the leads for their ability to move between comedy and drama without sentimentality.[32] Ethan Alter of Film Journal International remarked that the Melbourne setting and performances were standouts in an otherwise conventional Bollywood film.[33] Manish Gajjar of the BBC praised the film as "a great entertainer," citing the "perfect" comic timing of Khan and Zinta.[34] Anita Gates of The New York Times gave the film a mixed review, calling Zinta "cheerleader-homecoming queen-fraternity sweetheart pretty," but critiquing the overall narrative structure.[35]

Accolades

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Award Date of the ceremony Category Recipients Result Ref.
Screen Awards 11 January 2006 Best Actress Preity Zinta nom [36]
Stardust Awards 15 February 2006 Actor of the Year – Female nom [37]
Filmfare Awards 25 February 2006 Best Actress nom [38]
Best Supporting Actor Arshad Warsi nom
Best Performance in a Comic Role Jaaved Jaaferi nom
Zee Cine Awards 4 March 2006 Best Actor – Male Saif Ali Khan nom [39]
Best Actor – Female Preity Zinta nom
Best Debut Director Siddharth Anand won
Bollywood Movie Awards 10 June 2006 Best Actress Preity Zinta nom [40]
IIFA Awards 15–17 June 2006 Best Actor Saif Ali Khan nom [41]
Best Actress Preity Zinta nom
Best Performance in a Comic Role Jaaved Jaaferi won

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Salaam Namaste - Movie". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Top Lifetime Grossers Worldwide". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  3. ^ Phillips, Mark (13 May 2005). "Bollywood on Bourke Street". The Age. Archived from the original on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
  4. ^ "Top Worldwide Grossers 2005". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  5. ^ a b c "Top Lifetime Grossers Overseas (IND Rs)". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  6. ^ Adarsh, Taran (24 September 2005). "'Salaam Namaste' invited for Oscar library". Archived from the original on 21 December 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2008.
  7. ^ "Salaam Namaste invited for Oscar library". 25 September 2005. Archived from the original on 21 December 2014.
  8. ^ "IIFA 2006 Nominees". Bollywood Hungama. 6 May 2006. Archived from the original on 7 July 2006. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  9. ^ "'Black' bags major IIFA awards". The Tribune. Press Trust of India. 17 June 2006. Archived from the original on 11 September 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  10. ^ IndiaFM News Bureau (17 June 2006). "IIFA Awards 2006 winners". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 1 July 2006. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  11. ^ "When directors became actors | Filmfare.com". www.filmfare.com. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  12. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (3 April 2024). "From Asrani in Seeta Aur Geeta to Abhishek Bachchan in Salaam Namaste: 5 pricelessly funny cameos in Hindi Cinema 5 : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama". Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  13. ^ "Arshad Warsi's son Zeke Warsi's uncanny resemblance makes the netizens call him 'Chota Circuit'". The Times of India. 28 November 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  14. ^ Media, Ripefruit. "Salaam Namaste - Bollywood in Melbourne". www.onlymelbourne.com.au. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  15. ^ De, Sanchari; Sarwal, Amit (2016). "Old Wine in the New Bottle: Bollywood Films Shot in Australia after 9/11". In Kishore, Vikrant; Sarwal, Amit; Patra, Parichay (eds.). Salaam Bollywood: Representations and interpretations. Routledge. pp. 283–285. ISBN 978-1-317-23286-5.
  16. ^ a b K. Jha, Subhash (13 September 2005). "Treatment makes Salaam Namaste special". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  17. ^ "Music Hits 2000–2009 (Figures in Units)". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 15 February 2008.
  18. ^ a b "Salaam Namaste one of biggest overseas hits: Chopra". Hindustan Times. 15 October 2005. Archived from the original on 8 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  19. ^ Beeton, Sue (2008). "14: Partnerships and social responsibility: leveraging tourism and international film business". In Coles, Tim; Hall, C. Michael (eds.). International Business and Tourism: Global Issues, Contemporary Interactions. Routledge. p. 263. ISBN 978-1-134-09657-2.
  20. ^ Adarsh, Taran (16 September 2005). "Salaam Namaste Movie Review". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  21. ^ Muthalaly, Susan (16 September 2005). "The law of opposites". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 November 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  22. ^ Ferrao, Dominic (September 2005). "Salaam Namaste". Filmfare - Indiatimes. The Times Group. Archived from the original on 14 May 2006.
  23. ^ Gupta, Pratim D. (13 September 2020). "Salaam stars, namaste hit". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  24. ^ Srivastava, Devyani (11 September 2005). "Pyaar mein twist". Mid-Day. Archived from the original on 30 August 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  25. ^ Dipesh (16 September 2005). "A visual treat". Archived from the original on 31 July 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  26. ^ Tanwar, Sarita (18 September 2005). "Film review: Salaam Namaste". Mid-Day. Archived from the original on 22 December 2005. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  27. ^ Pereira, Lindsay (9 September 2005). "Salaam Namaste: Great fun". Rediff. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  28. ^ Sharma, Rama (11 September 2005). "Salaam Saif". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  29. ^ Joshi, Namrata (26 September 2005). "Salaam Namaste". Outlook. Archived from the original on 30 March 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  30. ^ Mohamed, Khalid (11 September 2005). "Year of live-in dangerously". DNA India. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  31. ^ Sawhney, Anubha (18 September 2005). "Salaam Nine Months". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  32. ^ Elley, Derek (21 September 2005). "Salaam Namaste". Variety. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  33. ^ Alter, Ethan (16 October 2005). "SALAAM NAMASTE". Film Journal International. Archived from the original on 16 October 2005. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  34. ^ Gajjar, Manish (9 September 2005). "Salaam Namaste". BBC. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  35. ^ Gates, Anita (10 September 2005). "True to the Bollywood Look, While Defying Traditions". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  36. ^ "Star Screen Award Winners 2006 - Hero Honda 12th Star Screen Awards". www.awardsandshows.com. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  37. ^ "Stars shine down at Kenstar MAX Stardust Awards 2006". www.afaqs.com. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  38. ^ "Filmfare Awards Winners From 1953 to 2024". filmfare.com. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  39. ^ "Hindi Awards Zee Cine Awards 2006". nettv4u. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  40. ^ "Bollywood Awards (2006)". IMDb. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  41. ^ "IIFA 2006 Nominees". web.archive.org. 11 November 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
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