Sachin silenced his critics. Review on Swades

Last week, Indian cricket fans had a relief when the team's master batsman made a double hundred, erasing away all the bad form he was in for the last four months. That day I felt: 'Sachin silenced his critics'.

Last night, I watched Ashutosh Gowarikar's 'Swades'. Then I felt: 'Shah Rukh slapped his critics'.

We, The People:

At the grass-root level, our country is plagued with problems of extreme concern. It is acceptably difficult for a nation of this huge a population, to be on par with the developed nations. And it is sensible enough for the educated minds to dream of Dollars than Rupees. But it?s not completely true to think that those educated minds are not interested in the development of their country. They are concerned, but leave it for 'others' to do the job. And so far, 'others' hardly existed.

They, the Swades Team:

To make a great film, good team work is very much necessary. To make a good team, dedicated people are very much necessary. With respect to Swades, I felt that it was a great team effort and everyone who has been a part of the film deserves the credit. But here, I would like to mention three people on whom the success of the film mostly relied on.

Ashutosh Gowarikar: To tell a message, it is very important for one to have ?clarity of mind?. And Ashutosh?s ?clarity of mind? is amazing. Rather than praising the praise-worthy director, I would take a chance to mention some wonderfully directed moments of the film?

=== Mohan prefers ?Packaged Drinking Water?, until he sees the poor boy selling water on the railway platform. Mohan could not stop his tears at the sight of such destitution. He buys water from the boy and drinks it. I am unable to express how many volumes (of direction and the actor?s performance) that scene has shown, but it will surely remain in the memory of the audience long after they leave the theatre.

=== The way in which Mohan approaches the village people to send their children to school is simple and realistic.

=== The power-generation job was executed brilliantly. Cinematic liberties were taken, but nothing went over-board.

And there are many more moments like the unforced practical comedy, the clean love story, etc, where the direction is applaud able. Ashutosh?s screenplay was also good; though it wasn?t entertaining like that of ?Lagaan?, it is more precise. People may say the film is long and it should have been edited well, but I felt every moment of the film was worth watching.

Shah Rukh Khan: Swades comes as a great relief to all those who have been expecting the best from Shah Rukh Khan since long. His effort was sincere and left everything to the director. The able director molded him to Mohan Bhargav. What resulted was an outstanding performance from the actor. Every expression that came out was simple and apt. While watching the song ?Aahista Aahista? (which was edited off from the film) on TV, I felt as if Shah Rukh himself sang it than using Udit Narayan?s playback. He was brilliant in delivering his expressions during the water-boy scene. He was charming, sensitive and wise in every mannerism he displayed.

A normal viewer may not feel this to be a great performance, because the role is very down-to-earth and small relative to the star-image he has. There is no heroism involved and the Mohan is in no way larger than life.

A R Rehman: The life of the film is the background score. I am out of words to tell the greatness of this music. So, I would list my favorite pieces:

=== the flute which plays when Mohan meets Kaveriamma.

=== the mouth-organ that plays when the titles begin.

=== the music that comes when Mohan enters the village.

=== and many more.

Kishori Balal as Kaveriamma and Daya Shankar Pandey as Melaram give noteworthy performances. Gayathri Joshi was striking as Geeta. But I felt, Nandita Das (than Gayathri) would have been apt for the role of a village teacher.

With respect to ?Lagaan?, ?Swades? has a lesser mass appeal. In India, Cricket surely has more craze than Shah Rukh Khan. But ?Swades? is a better film in terms of authenticity.

He, Mohan Bhargav:

Mohan, a successful Indian at NASA and has a rich and big life ahead, undergoes a transition from his ?don?t-care-country? attitude to his homecoming urge. He is educated, clever, sensitive and wise. But he wasn?t interested in making his life in India. The American air smells sweeter. His trip to India, to meet his old ?nanny?, changes his thoughts. At the end of a journey through poverty, child-labor, child-marriage, illiteracy, caste-system, corruption, etc, Mohan realizes the importance of being in his homeland. And the gradual transition makes him smell the sweetness of the sweat-soaked home soil. He accepts it, likes it and loves it.

All of us enjoy every graceful shot that comes from Sachin?s willow. He surely remains the most celebrated player of our country. We are proud that he hails from our country. But, how would it be if he got famous as an Australian cricketer? Doesn?t it look like: ?the bulb in our house, giving light to the neighboring house??

I, Purnesh:

It is true that a film may not change the society; but after watching this film I felt there was surely a small difference in my perception. I didn?t feel the film boring anywhere and enjoyed it all the 3 times I watched it. I wish to watch it once again.