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I’d like to start by saying that Swades is not a movie but a master piece. This statement might seem too strong to start with but I guess once you watch the movie, chances are you might agree to the fact that calling this movie a master piece is actually just an under statement. There’s also a possibility that you would choose to stop reading this post further considering the fact that Swades as a movie, when it released in 2004 was panned and criticized heavily by reviewers all around. So if you wish to know what makes me take the difficult path to challenge all those who don’t like the movie as much as I do, please continue reading.
Although Swades, the movie is story of one particular Indian, I’m sure every Indian identifies and connects with this movie at multiple levels and that’s what makes this movie far from ordinary. It’s a story of a character named Mohan Bhargava played by Shah Rukh Khan (one of the most popular Indian actor of Chak De! India India
The USP of this movie is the format in which multiple layers of the story line unfold and with every layer peeling off the audience stop sympathizing and start empathizing with the situations and experience the grief as if it were their own. The story of the movie is the core fabric which balances all the other elements together. The characters of the movie are well written and have been enacted gracefully by the actors. The second most important character of the movie after Shah Rukh Khan is that of Gita played by Gayatri Joshi who runs a local village school.
Ashutosh Gowariker (Lagaan, Jodhaa Akbar fame), the director has displayed his prowess with this movie by capturing the truest feelings and emotions of characters throughout the movie. The movie has many noteworthy scenes which creates an instant connection with the viewer. Some of the scenes worth a mention would be:
- Mohan’s confrontation of various problems faced in
- The Hydro Electricity generator scene
- The trip Mohan takes to collect money from a creditor and the glass of water scene on his way back to his village (the scene with maximum impact and extremely emotional moment in the movie)
Yet another part worth a mention about this movie is the music of the movie which is given by A. R. Rahman. The music of this movie cannot be compared to music of any other commercial Indian movie but the music blends perfectly with the theme of the movie. The song ‘Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera’ sung by A. R. Rahman is believed to have made many Indians living in different parts of the globe reach for a tissue to wipe a tear during the movie. The lyrics, vocals and the music of the song are truly Hindustani.
Although the length of the movie can be discouragement (189 minutes) along with the slow pace of the movie, but I’d still strongly recommend you to watch this movie at least once with an open mind to experience it. I hope every reader of this post watches the movie and shares the perspective and the ideology of the movie and likes it to be recommended to others.
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Manish :)
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You make me want to give this movie another watch. I tried once with my mother, and even though she adored it, I didn't really connect with it. Maybe it's not my thing? But I will give it another viewing sometime.
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