Swades - We, The People
2004
Touching drama in which a NASA scientist returns to India intent on tracking down his childhood nanny. Read more
| Starring | Shah Rukh Khan, Gayatri Joshi, Master Smit Sheth, Kishori Ballal |
|---|---|
| Director | Ashotosh Gowariker |
| Genres | Drama, Indian Cinema |
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Critics' reviews
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Gowarikers follow-up to his Oscar nominated Lagaan is a generally effective, entertaining and, at times,... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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17 out of 18 people found this review helpful
Sensible, Subtle and Slow
Swades is a simple, but serious story and with a message for NRI's(Non Resident Indians) NRI in this film is given a new meaning: Non Returning Indian! It is not the same as Gowariker's Oscar nomimated Lagaan, in scope and entertainment, but certainly has similar themes; namely the protagonist being at conflict with the social system and trying to win ther support of people to change it. Even the structure of the story is similar. However, the treatment of this subject is much more serious and while there are some light hearted comedic moments, most of the film is very serious and deals with depressing contemporary issues of poverty, caste system and illiteracy in some parts of rural India and does it sensitively, subtly and slowly.
It does not surprise me that Swades has not done well at the box office given it's subject. Nor, does it surprise me that it has gone relatively unnoticed by western critics who seem to have typecasted Bollywood as anything that is singing, dancing and colourfull. Just recently I was watching a Bollywood special on 'DVD Review' on BBC, where a western critic was giving her critique on the recent Bollywood movie 'Black' She had reservations about calling Black a Bollywood movie; her reasoning was simply because Black did not conform to the standard Bollywood framework. Which really is like saying Moulin Rouge and Chicago are not Hollywood movies because they do not conform to the standard Hollywood framework.
This ignorance can also be applied to those western critics who call 'Bride and Prejudice' a Bollywood movie. Knowing that these kind of 'critics' are reviewing Swades, it's not surprising that Swades has gone unnoticed with them. Not 'Bollywood' enough for their taste.
Just for the sake of putting out those ignorant some mentioned above out of their mistery; the definition of a Bollywood movie is a movie that has been made by the Mumbai film industry of India. Now, moving onto the rest of the review - In my humble opinion Swades is overall a superior and more thought provoking product than Lagaan in terms of story, depth, theme, music, direction and technical aspects. However, lacks the universal crowd pleasing appeal of Lagaan and it's epic qualities. Swades also lacks the fluidity of Lagaan that kept people gripped despite the 4 hour running time. That cannot be helped really - given the themes Swades tries to tackle. I would have preferred that Gowariker had focussed more on the social themes than on Mohan and his relationships.
I found the ending to be disappointing and drawn out. Without giving any spoilers, I will say that Mohan's final descision should have been different and the movie would have ended at a more powerfull and ironic note and been more relatable to an NRI. This would also have done away with the final 20 min, which should have not have passed the editing table.
Swades is definitely worth watching, provided you are going to be paitent with the film. If what you are looking for is entertainment, than Swades has that as well, but there are far better films for this purpose. However, if you want an intelligent and sensible film about real issues, and some light entertainment and melodious music on the side, then you won't go wrong with Swades - 8/10 -
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful
A Must See Movie For All Ages...
Undoubtedly a movie that must be seen by all. The movie is very well directed with superb cinematography presenting rural india in a beautiful light.
Shah Rukh Khan's acting is magnificent for the first time in his career. New find, Gayatri Joshi also did a good job and the side roles were also brilliantly executed by the actors involved.
In conclusion, the moral is to never forget where you came from and your nationality. Remember your roots always... -
14 out of 25 people found this review helpful
Great Movie Every Asian should watch it
I didn't know Bollywood could make such a great movie. Its a top movie that really hasn't been fully appreciated due to the main audience (India) not being particular receptive to such movies. The directors previous movie had everything in it but this one is very different in more ways than one. The main similarity is the location and that being a village. Otherwise this movie is set in modern india and highlights the plight of villagers in the eyes of Mohan (Shah Rukh Khan).
The movie is a bit slow and does explain things a bit too much, but after a long time we get to see Shah Rukh Khan's true acting capabilities and he's not left alone. The main female Gayatri Joshi also does a solid job in the movie and shines as a head strong woman in a male dominated area. Kaveri amma also does well in her role and the two main side actors the chef and the postman are brilliant in the roles as well.
The music is good but you don't really leave the movie with any tunes buzzing in your head. The background music was really well done though.
This movie has been a source of divided opinion everywhere, but I really recommend you watch it before you reach to any of your own conclusions. I give it 5 stars as I could relate to alot of the things in this movie despite not being an Indian. -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
14 out of 25 people found this review helpful
Great Movie Every Asian should watch it
I didn't know Bollywood could make such a great movie. Its a top movie that really hasn't been fully appreciated due to the main audience (India) not being particular receptive to such movies. The directors previous movie had everything in it but this one is very different in more ways than one. The main similarity is the location and that being a village. Otherwise this movie is set in modern india and highlights the plight of villagers in the eyes of Mohan (Shah Rukh Khan).
The movie is a bit slow and does explain things a bit too much, but after a long time we get to see Shah Rukh Khan's true acting capabilities and he's not left alone. The main female Gayatri Joshi also does a solid job in the movie and shines as a head strong woman in a male dominated area. Kaveri amma also does well in her role and the two main side actors the chef and the postman are brilliant in the roles as well.
The music is good but you don't really leave the movie with any tunes buzzing in your head. The background music was really well done though.
This movie has been a source of divided opinion everywhere, but I really recommend you watch it before you reach to any of your own conclusions. I give it 5 stars as I could relate to alot of the things in this movie despite not being an Indian. -
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
swades
This film was untypical of a shah rukh khan bollywood flick.
In fact it had far greater depth and emotion than most other SRK movies....and the best thing? It was about the real India and the problems people there are faced with. Some very controversial issues are tackled i.e. Caste discrimination and why tradition can sometimes prohibit progression.
A bit slow to begin with, but very enjoyble if you appreciate the film's message. A deep film. Highly recommended.
-
17 out of 18 people found this review helpful
Sensible, Subtle and Slow
Swades is a simple, but serious story and with a message for NRI's(Non Resident Indians) NRI in this film is given a new meaning: Non Returning Indian! It is not the same as Gowariker's Oscar nomimated Lagaan, in scope and entertainment, but certainly has similar themes; namely the protagonist being at conflict with the social system and trying to win ther support of people to change it. Even the structure of the story is similar. However, the treatment of this subject is much more serious and while there are some light hearted comedic moments, most of the film is very serious and deals with depressing contemporary issues of poverty, caste system and illiteracy in some parts of rural India and does it sensitively, subtly and slowly.
It does not surprise me that Swades has not done well at the box office given it's subject. Nor, does it surprise me that it has gone relatively unnoticed by western critics who seem to have typecasted Bollywood as anything that is singing, dancing and colourfull. Just recently I was watching a Bollywood special on 'DVD Review' on BBC, where a western critic was giving her critique on the recent Bollywood movie 'Black' She had reservations about calling Black a Bollywood movie; her reasoning was simply because Black did not conform to the standard Bollywood framework. Which really is like saying Moulin Rouge and Chicago are not Hollywood movies because they do not conform to the standard Hollywood framework.
This ignorance can also be applied to those western critics who call 'Bride and Prejudice' a Bollywood movie. Knowing that these kind of 'critics' are reviewing Swades, it's not surprising that Swades has gone unnoticed with them. Not 'Bollywood' enough for their taste.
Just for the sake of putting out those ignorant some mentioned above out of their mistery; the definition of a Bollywood movie is a movie that has been made by the Mumbai film industry of India. Now, moving onto the rest of the review - In my humble opinion Swades is overall a superior and more thought provoking product than Lagaan in terms of story, depth, theme, music, direction and technical aspects. However, lacks the universal crowd pleasing appeal of Lagaan and it's epic qualities. Swades also lacks the fluidity of Lagaan that kept people gripped despite the 4 hour running time. That cannot be helped really - given the themes Swades tries to tackle. I would have preferred that Gowariker had focussed more on the social themes than on Mohan and his relationships.
I found the ending to be disappointing and drawn out. Without giving any spoilers, I will say that Mohan's final descision should have been different and the movie would have ended at a more powerfull and ironic note and been more relatable to an NRI. This would also have done away with the final 20 min, which should have not have passed the editing table.
Swades is definitely worth watching, provided you are going to be paitent with the film. If what you are looking for is entertainment, than Swades has that as well, but there are far better films for this purpose. However, if you want an intelligent and sensible film about real issues, and some light entertainment and melodious music on the side, then you won't go wrong with Swades - 8/10 -
10 out of 10 people found this review helpful
A Must See Movie For All Ages...
Undoubtedly a movie that must be seen by all. The movie is very well directed with superb cinematography presenting rural india in a beautiful light.
Shah Rukh Khan's acting is magnificent for the first time in his career. New find, Gayatri Joshi also did a good job and the side roles were also brilliantly executed by the actors involved.
In conclusion, the moral is to never forget where you came from and your nationality. Remember your roots always... -
14 out of 25 people found this review helpful
Great Movie Every Asian should watch it
I didn't know Bollywood could make such a great movie. Its a top movie that really hasn't been fully appreciated due to the main audience (India) not being particular receptive to such movies. The directors previous movie had everything in it but this one is very different in more ways than one. The main similarity is the location and that being a village. Otherwise this movie is set in modern india and highlights the plight of villagers in the eyes of Mohan (Shah Rukh Khan).
The movie is a bit slow and does explain things a bit too much, but after a long time we get to see Shah Rukh Khan's true acting capabilities and he's not left alone. The main female Gayatri Joshi also does a solid job in the movie and shines as a head strong woman in a male dominated area. Kaveri amma also does well in her role and the two main side actors the chef and the postman are brilliant in the roles as well.
The music is good but you don't really leave the movie with any tunes buzzing in your head. The background music was really well done though.
This movie has been a source of divided opinion everywhere, but I really recommend you watch it before you reach to any of your own conclusions. I give it 5 stars as I could relate to alot of the things in this movie despite not being an Indian. -
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
A sincere, heartfelt effort
'Swades' is made with such honesty and simplicity that its flaws (a good many of them!)are easily obscured. Evidently, the movie brings to the fore issues that concern every conscientious Indian and therein lies its topical urgency. But such a theme might have easily degenerated into a banal exercise at the hands of a lesser director.
Ofcourse Gowarikar has a reputation to reckon with and he doesn't disappoint. Some critics have complained that the film is too preachy, but that is missing the point. The so-called 'preachy' portions in the film are really the passionate outbursts of a true patriot. And the best scenes in the movie (Mohan's encounter with Haridas and thereafter with a little boy selling water at a railway platform) are sublimely wordless.
'Swades' is neither 'artistic' nor 'entertaining'. It is '....simply necessary'. -
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful
Movie for class not for mass
Swades is a very simple movie for the class and not for the mass. Shahruk Khan is seems splendin actor for the first time in his career. The theme of movie is deeply painful and inspiring to the intellectuals abroad and within India. It portrays a strong mental struggle of an Indian born NRI (ofcourse, not for those who born abroad and can only see negative sides of India) who has still the seeds of Indian-ness. After all a movie with a very positive message and worth watching. I watched it thrice in one month !!!
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
swades
This film was untypical of a shah rukh khan bollywood flick.
In fact it had far greater depth and emotion than most other SRK movies....and the best thing? It was about the real India and the problems people there are faced with. Some very controversial issues are tackled i.e. Caste discrimination and why tradition can sometimes prohibit progression.
A bit slow to begin with, but very enjoyble if you appreciate the film's message. A deep film. Highly recommended. -
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Documentary movie
Watching this movie was like watching BBC documentary for 3 long hours.Idea of this movie was good,but it didn't click for director
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4 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Swades
The director attracted me to the film with me hoping that this would be an interesting and different Indian film.However it turned out to be rather bland and shallow hence disappionting,despite Sharukh Khan.
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Honestly poignant
It's heartning to see an Indian film with Oscar nominated director and Indian celluloid king to do something as sincere as this.
It symbolises Bollywood and represents India and Indians sincerely. -
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
good songs but poor performances by shahrukh
I liked this film in terms of its theme but the performance by shahrukh is very disappointing and theaterical.gayatri is good for her first film.liked the songs.I would recommend watching it at leisure time once only.
Critics' reviews
-
Gowarikers follow-up to his Oscar nominated Lagaan is a generally effective, entertaining and, at times,... read more on Time Out
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Swades - We, The People
Touching drama in which a NASA scientist returns to India intent on tracking down his childhood nanny....
-
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