Almost two decades back, Sooraj Barjatya's 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' [1994] had created a record of sorts by being not just one of the most lavishly made films but also a well integrated family affair. With a slew of actors filling in the slots of Mummy-Papa, Uncle-Aunty, Chacha-Chachi, Bhaiyya-Bhabhi and other close (and not so close) relatives, the film was one crowded affair that managed to bring in crowds in horde.

Circa 2013 and 'Ramaiya Vastavaiya' could well be aiming for the record created by the Salman Khan-Madhuri Dixit affair, what with as good as 34 actors filling the frames in this extended family affair.

"One still remembers 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' for the family outing that it was, what with so many notable actors coming together under one roof. Well, literally so. Other than Salman and Madhuri, there were Mohnish Behl, Renuka Shahane, Anupam Kher, Alok Nath, Reema Lagoo and Bindu along with Lakshmikant Berde to name a few," comments an observer, "Now 'Ramaiya Vastavaiya' is pretty much promising to bring on the same magic, as far as showcasing a close knit family is concerned."

This is evidenced from the fact that other than debutant Girish Kumar and Shruti Hassan, the film sees Sonu Sood in a pivotal role along with veterans Randhir Kapoor and Vinod Khanna along with Poonam Dhillon, Govind Namdev, Satish Shah, Zakir Hussain, Nasser and Paresh Ganatra. Also, Jacqueline Fernandez appears in a much hyped item number 'Jadoo Ki Jhappi'.

"Kumarji (Taurani) and Prabhudheva were sure that Girish's launch-pad had to be a family affair as they didn't wish any segment of audience to be alienated from the film," says a source attached to the film, "While the very core of the film has Indian values attached to it, the coming together of so many other actors in one frame promise to bring on immense family appeal. This is as auspicious a start that Girish could have managed."

No wonder, the adage of 'A family that eats together stays together' turned out to be true for 'Ramaiya Vastavaiya' as well as each of these 34 actors always had their meals together during the making of the film.

Kumar Taurani gets nostalgic here, "It was one big family regardless of being in front of the camera or away from it. As a filmmaker, I couldn't have enjoyed a better sight."

Adds Prabhudheva, "After a couple of action movies in Hindi, it was wonderful to make a film which has families at the centre of affairs. I am sure audience would love to see an altogether different cinematic experience."

With monsoon season setting in and families in mood to relax and spend some fun evenings together, Ramaiya Vastavaiya may just bring them all under one roof, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun stye.