The feel of homecoming! realizing how we take our own country for granted and the beauty it beholds; that is the dutiful feel you get after which this underrated masterpiece by Ashutosh Gowarikar.
Story & Screenplay
Watching this movie feeling all patriotic as a young boy was a more natural experience than any forces nationalist films we see today. The story revolves around a character named Mohan Bhargava a bright young scientist working in NASA who returns to his hometown to find his childhood nanny. Mohan the unaware Indian just like a hundred more out there realizes that so-called modern India has its grass root level all fragile and crumbled. From here on the journey of redemption starts. The storyline has got its heart at the right place and so was the execution. A.R. Rahman's earthy but at the same time refined music just sets up the mood. The scenic landscapes of rural India and characters change in mindset and purpose in life all beautiful pulled of by Ashutosh Gowarikar. The meaning of the sentence 'We The People ' comes out strong by its very end.
Cast
The film doesn't have a very tantalizing cast except for Shahrukh Khan himself but each of them portrayed their characters with so much depth and warmth, something which cannot be forgotten for a long time. Kishori Ballal as the Nani come mother was simply innate. Makrand Despande as a traveler more of a nomad was the humor relief of the film in various aspects. Now coming to the man who took up a role that wasn't really to the glamour reach he made in the past couple of years. It may also be the reason that his star image just hid this realistic persona he created in this film. The performance seemed natural and subtle. The movie along with his performance is one of the most underrated ones in Bollywood.
Direction&Cinematography
It feels disappointing when the film received scattered reviews. Ashutosh Gowarikar is a master in making films about revolution, his films are country orientated, with Lagaan, he proved to the western world how thought-provoking and visually alluring a Bollywood film could be. A glorified art film with realistic situations, characters, and the ending is what made the film special. The character portrayed by Shahrukh Khan didn't bring a revolution but it was about making those little changes. The film was about mass change but Gowarikar blended the mass impact and the personal touch of Mohan with ease. Traditional camera movements with shots clearly establishing what's going in the mind of the main character. The train scene is said to be one of the best thought out and shot scenes which left us in complete awe. For a realistic film 3 hrs, 30 mins seemed a little long. Reading some reviews saying the film was boring didn't surprise me the impact of the film was very much dependent on individual perspective. The film with vivid social commentary, following a very real-time story structure and unorthodox character portrayal was just a couple of justification point about how a masterful film it was. It is just that the film Swades was just ahead of its time, it just felt like the country isn't ready for it yet...
Watch this underrated masterpiece for its natural and realistic storyline and flawless acting and visual execution.
Available on #Netflix #Shahrukhkhan #AshutoshGowarikar #ruralindia #india