Power to the People.Power to Swades. Review on Swades

Before I commence my review, first, the almost perfunctory CA disclaimer:

[The following review, whilst not entirely neutral (It may show certain inbuilt biases that have been ingrained into me after some 20 odd years of existence on the Blue Planet Earth.), is a personal look at the piece of art, viz, Swades, which like all pieces of art is priceless, but at the same time open to appreciation,criticisms and more.Here's my take on the movie. Apologies for sounding analytical,at times.]

Swades, we the people.Yet, another movie for the masses-from the director who gave us ''Lagaan'', India's shot at the Oscars.At the time I thought Dev Das was more representative of Hindi cinema when it was nominated.But the fact is, Ashutosh Gowritkar,the man who has directed both movies, Lagaan and Swades, seems discontent with steroetypes.Yes, Hindia Cinema is mostly song and dance, with the occassional good movie, in between.Swades is an attempt at the latter lot.

Swades, I feel,as the second movie from this director is a more honest and respectable endeavour than Lagaan.Featuring some of the most respectable cinematography I've seen come from Bollywood in recent times and a movie soundtrack that honestly made me think it had shades of ''Mother India''.Same fluid, strong clipped dialogues.Same crisp recording style.

The storyline is different for someone looking for the usual Bollywood fare.It will, evidentally, find greater appeal amongst overseas Indians christened NRIs, or as the movie calls them, ''Non Returning Indians''.My favorite version of the acronym is Not Required Indians;.