Swades... saw it finally
Finally, I saw Swades last night. A movie that depicted reality sans the frills of Bollywood. A very idealistic movie. It was quite a long narration and this might probably work against the movie when it comes to mass appeal. As many of you had read numerous reviews, let me also give my take..
The movie is clearly inspired or I should say the screen version of "Bilgaon Microhydel project" whose pictures I have posted below this post. Anil and Madhu, the two engineers who designed the project belonged to People's School of Energy in Kanur, Kerala, brought electricty to the vilage in the foothills of the Satpura ranges. Mohan Bhargav, a NASA scientist, brings electricity to the village of his foster mother Kauveriamma. The technique used in the movie is exactly the same used by Anil and Madhu in Bilgaon.
Shahrukh Khan: A good underplayed performance but I have a feeling that his superstar image has actually worked against him in this role. I found it extremely hard to imagine the King Khan singing and dancing in the villages as I am more accustomed to seeing him dancing with gorgeous woman in phroein locales. Nevertheless, a clean performance..
Gayathri Joshi: I think she was commendable for a newcomer. She is tall and she has a very infectious and inviting smile. She is too glamorous for a village teacher...
Kauveriamma: I think her chracter was neatly defined wothout oo much melodrama that plagues Indian movies...
Postmaster( Gurran in Lagaan): Yet another good performance. I enjoyed his characterization in Lagaan as the magician and he has turned in a good performance here as well..
Mela Ram: He wants to open a Dhaba in one of the freeway exits.... A great idea indeed given the lousy Denny's and Burger Kings that spot the freeway exits. In the end, he foregoes his dream and decides to stay back in Charanpur...
Ashuthosh Gowariker: He is the true hero of the movie... He has guts to present such a movie to the Hindi audience who feast on triangular love stories, sex and sleaze...
The scenes that gave me goose-pimples:
1. The scene were the bulb glows and old villager claims "bijli". A true moment of epiphany- here we are in the United States rarely used to power cuts but in villages in India, electricty that lights up even a small bulb is welcomed with celebration...
2. The scene where Shahrukh decides to rink the water from mud pot: yet another moment of epiphany....
Bottom Line:
I think it is a must see for everyone. A vivid and comprehensive presentation of the problems at the grassroots. We, Indians take a lot of pride in the Bangalore tech boom and we assume that India is shining. But the reality is quite different. There isn't even an electric bulb glowing in most places.
I must admit that we have made rapid strides in IT sector but the real economy is from agriculture. 70% of the economy is from agriculture and India still lives in her villages. Any development that neglects the villagers and it is going to sabotage their interests is going to be shortlived.
It is high time we get our priorities straight.....
Finally, I saw Swades last night. A movie that depicted reality sans the frills of Bollywood. A very idealistic movie. It was quite a long narration and this might probably work against the movie when it comes to mass appeal. As many of you had read numerous reviews, let me also give my take..
The movie is clearly inspired or I should say the screen version of "Bilgaon Microhydel project" whose pictures I have posted below this post. Anil and Madhu, the two engineers who designed the project belonged to People's School of Energy in Kanur, Kerala, brought electricty to the vilage in the foothills of the Satpura ranges. Mohan Bhargav, a NASA scientist, brings electricity to the village of his foster mother Kauveriamma. The technique used in the movie is exactly the same used by Anil and Madhu in Bilgaon.
Shahrukh Khan: A good underplayed performance but I have a feeling that his superstar image has actually worked against him in this role. I found it extremely hard to imagine the King Khan singing and dancing in the villages as I am more accustomed to seeing him dancing with gorgeous woman in phroein locales. Nevertheless, a clean performance..
Gayathri Joshi: I think she was commendable for a newcomer. She is tall and she has a very infectious and inviting smile. She is too glamorous for a village teacher...
Kauveriamma: I think her chracter was neatly defined wothout oo much melodrama that plagues Indian movies...
Postmaster( Gurran in Lagaan): Yet another good performance. I enjoyed his characterization in Lagaan as the magician and he has turned in a good performance here as well..
Mela Ram: He wants to open a Dhaba in one of the freeway exits.... A great idea indeed given the lousy Denny's and Burger Kings that spot the freeway exits. In the end, he foregoes his dream and decides to stay back in Charanpur...
Ashuthosh Gowariker: He is the true hero of the movie... He has guts to present such a movie to the Hindi audience who feast on triangular love stories, sex and sleaze...
The scenes that gave me goose-pimples:
1. The scene were the bulb glows and old villager claims "bijli". A true moment of epiphany- here we are in the United States rarely used to power cuts but in villages in India, electricty that lights up even a small bulb is welcomed with celebration...
2. The scene where Shahrukh decides to rink the water from mud pot: yet another moment of epiphany....
Bottom Line:
I think it is a must see for everyone. A vivid and comprehensive presentation of the problems at the grassroots. We, Indians take a lot of pride in the Bangalore tech boom and we assume that India is shining. But the reality is quite different. There isn't even an electric bulb glowing in most places.
I must admit that we have made rapid strides in IT sector but the real economy is from agriculture. 70% of the economy is from agriculture and India still lives in her villages. Any development that neglects the villagers and it is going to sabotage their interests is going to be shortlived.
It is high time we get our priorities straight.....
Raja - Good Review from yr point of view of AID
Posted by
Anonymous |
6:31 PM
Good review. I saw this only after I did my review of Swades. I loved the movie. Awesome feel to it. And yep, great effort from all concerned.
Posted by
The Last Blogger |
8:19 AM