Nov 23, 2010 04:46 PM
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Its only when we see a blind, lame, deaf or mute person do we realize how lucky we are to have all our senses and limbs intact. In our everyday fast-paced life, we tend to take all these things for granted. Surprisingly, we’ll feel totally useless if even one of it stops doing its ‘duty’. Guzaarish tells a similar tale of a person suffering from an incurable condition, quadriplegia, a total paralysis of the limbs and upper torso. Imagine a life where you are confined on either your chair or bed and the only thing you can move is your head. Where you need assistance for doing even the most basic of chores. Just imagining it can give one quite a scare! And Guzaarish throws light on a quadriplegic who’s living in such a condition since 14 long years! Such kind of a plot and subject needs utmost research and sensitivity. Fortunately, Sanjay Leela Bhansali gets it right and comes up with a beautiful lyrical fare which is easily one of the most stunning films of 2010!
The story of the movie: Ethan Mascarenhas (Hrithik Roshan) is suffering from quadriplegia since 14 years. Once upon a time, he was an accomplished magician. But one day he meets with an accident when a magic trick goes horribly wrong, damaging his spinal cord and thus turning him into a quadriplegic. He thus loses his tag of magician and source of livelihood. He now lives in a spacious house in Goa and is completely taken care of by Sofia (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan). However he doesn’t sit idle the whole day. He becomes an RJ for a radio station called Radio Zindagi and spreads smile and hope. He has even written a motivating book ‘Learn To Fly’. Hence it comes as a surprise when one day Ethan puts forward a request before his lawyer friend Devyani Dutta (Shernaz Patel) that he wants to end his life and thus wants to file a petition in court. Ethan’s Doctor (Suhel Seth) is completely against Ethan’s decision and so is Sofia and everyone else. No one understands Ethan’s dilemma and the suffering he has gone through since so many years. Doesn’t he have a right over his life? If yes, then can’t he decide when it should end? Watch Guzaarish to find out what happens next in Ethan’s life.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali once again chooses a topic which is utterly dark and depressing. However, the beauty of the film is that inspite of narrating a tragic tale, you still come out of the theatre smiling. The sensitive issue of euthanasia is neatly tackled and whatever happens in the film seemed totally justified. Guzaarish is hence a positive film and fortunately the film is being taken in the right spirit.
The film grips your attention and takes you into the world of Ethan Mascarenhas from the first scene itself. The mercy killing petition sequence comes soon enough too and hence the interest doesn’t dip at all. The flashback sequences (Ethan as a magician) are also shown at regular intervals in the film which is a treat to the eyes! I really wish they hadn’t revealed some of these scenes in the promos before the film’s release!
It’s the 2nd half where the film gets on a high. If the short courtroom sequences were great, the hearing of Ethan’s petition in his own house was even better. This was the scene which hits you like a ton of bricks and you realize that Ethan is indeed totally justified in filing the petition. And not to forget, Ethan getting out of the house after years and enjoying the scenery instantly touch the heart. The last 15 minutes was easily the best part of the enterprise. The impact that the finale creates gives goosebumps!
With so many plusses in its favour, the film still falls short of a masterpiece. Sanjay Leela Bhansali tries to pack a lot in those 125 minutes which doesn’t work fully. Certain characters and their bond with the others needed a little more polishing. This is especially for Aishwarya’s character. It would had been great if Bhansali would have thrown light on her earlier years with Ethan and how and why she totally surrendered herself to Ethan’s service leaving everything behind. Secondly, Ethan’s financial crisis part went totally over the head. Thirdly, Bhansali could have avoided giving out the full name of Omar Siddiqui (Aditya Roy Kapoor) because an important twist in the climax is linked to it which unfortunately gets revealed before it was time.
Guzaarish is embellished with some terrific performances, some of which could easily fetch awards. Hrithik Roshan comes up with yet another bravura performance after Jodhaa Akbar. Playing the role of a quadriplegic obviously wasn’t a piece of cake and it is evident that Hrthik has worked very hard to get everything right. In fact one can arguably call it the best performance of his career too! Hats off HR, the actor who manages to amaze one and all everytime!
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is in a terrific form. Her character forms an important aspect of the story and Ethan’s life and she does total justice. Watch out for her in three scenes where she outshines everybody-first, when she learns about Ethan’s petition; second, when she in a way scolds the judge and thirdly, the climax. This is the last film of Ash this year and unfortunately one won’t get to see her in a new film for a long time. Come back soon ARB!
Shernaz Patel impresses with her fine performance and infectious smile! Aditya Roy Kapoor who rocked in Action Replayy once again gives a marvelous performance. Suhel Sath leaves a huge mark in all his scenes. An actor who definitely should be seen more! Rajit Kapoor was just too good. So was Vijay Crishna (the judge). Ash Chandler (Yasser Siddiqui) is effective even though he was there in just a scene. Nafisa Ali does a great job. Moni Kangana Dutta was in news everywhere for bagging Guzaarish. However she has very little to do in the film. But nevertheless, she has a significant position in the story and performs well. Others were good.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali himself has composed the music of the film which is extremely soulful and in fact outstanding, considering it’s his first album. Sau Gram Zindagi is the best song followed by Tera Zikr Hai and Jaane Kiske Khwaab. Udi’s choreography was excellent. Tubby-Parik’s background score is impactful especially in the intro scene. Sudeep Chatterjee’s cinematography is stunning and makes the film a complete visual treat! Watch out how beautifully the entire car sequene have been shot. The film is visually appealing also thanks to the stunning production values. Hrithik’s house in the film is as beautiful as it can be!
Bhavani Iyer and Vibhu Puri’s dialogues are wisely worded and witty. After Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai and Dabangg, its Guzaarish’s dialogues that work so well this year. Bhavani also teams up with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the screenplay which is lyrical and tight. As for Bhansali’s direction, it was just fabulous and good to see that he’s back to his pre-Saawariya form! Although he hurries his way a bit and the film has some glitches, he succeeds in conveying what he wanted to and that’s what matters.
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