Swades (2004)

Really Surprised!

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

Swades is a good film and the writer-director Ashutosh Gowarikar does a handy job of somehow making a long film not only watchable but also endearing. An Indian scientist returns back home and rediscovers his roots- this is the basic synopsis but the film is a lot more nuanced and features some good performances. The lead actor Shah Rukh Khan is a big star in India but here he plays it subtle which is what the performance desires. Gayatri Joshi doesn't have much to do but she is ravishing. This is one of the rare Bollywood films that makes one sit and ponder.

Swades, as the name of the movie suggests is based on patriotic lines, story of an Indian who seeks high for his career, leaves his home country but soon after, he starts feeling detached for his maid-mother who took care of him after his parents died. This movie does not waste time in things like how he started his career in foreign country and how all those things led him to such feelings. It starts with Shah Rukh Khan suddenly facing immense emotions for his maid-mother living in India.This movie brings us a picture of underdevelopment of some regions in India and how they are themselves responsible for this. The false superstitions and believes hampering the progress of these regions are depicted so beautifully in this movie. However this movie has no so called very dramatic climax and suspense but still the message delivered is so noble and inspiring.However this movie was not great at box-office collection but it is worth giving a watch.

Swades is a terrific movie which sends a message of patriotic love. Mohan Bhargava(SRK) is a scientist working for NASA who returns India to take back an elderly women(Kaveriamma) who helped him grew up. Mohan discovers, and realizes more about Indian origins. He realizes that his country requires him more than any other country. He starts and successfully completes a project of providing electricity to the village in which Kaveriamma is residing. He falls in love with Gita, a school teacher, who stays with Kaveriamma. He realizes the importance of staying in India with her and after one trip decides to stay forever in India.Pros: A film that positively changes the mind of a person fallen victim to brain-drain, superb filming locations. I personally liked the caravan. The song "Dekho na" is superb. Kaveriamma is lovely and everyone associated with film has done great.Cons: SRK has really acted well except for one scene where he smokes cigarette and acts to have quit and again resumes. He overacts.

Any Indian can relate to this feature, as it shows you exactly how caste,creed and religious beliefs pulls back our society from taking that big leap into a bright future. If u r a emotional person it will surely leave a mark on u. Ashutosh sees to it that no character on screen goes unused. Shahrukh takes a break from his usual no-brainer movies to try and make an impact on the viewer and proves he has not lost his agility to the so called masala films.Beautiful music scoring by the Mozart-of-Madras Rehman makes the viewing experience even more fulfilling, especially "yeh jo des". Even though the runtime is well over 180 mins the plot doesn't let you down.Overall a wonderful movie, a thumbs up to ashutosh and shahrukh.