I had given myself a birthday gift of watching this movie on first day first show. I enjoy movies of SLB, Aish and Hritik Roshan. All the three are my favorites so I wanted to see this movie and I got the opportunity to watch this beautiful movie.
At night on my birthday (20-nov) I was thanking GOD for my blessings. That time this movie impacted me the most when I was counting my blessings. Just imagine if I can’t move a fly which is sitting on my nose. This is such a small thing that I have taken for granted. and the second seen where during the night when rain water falls from roof to his forehead and no one is able to listen to his cry of pains, how he endures Chinese torture.
About the plot : its a story of an Ethan Mascarenhas (Hritik Roshan- simply superb ) is suffering from quadriplegia since 14 years. He was a high class magician who was a victim of professional rivalry which resulted in an accident and hurt his spinal cord and he become paralyzed neck down. Meaning only able ot move the head.
Still for 14 years of such life he lives life by loving life and helping others love life. He is a RJ for a radio station "Radio Zindgi" and has written a book called "Learn to Fly". He lives in a big but slowly diminishing house which 2 ladies and a nurse Sophia (Aish - beautiful n graceful as ever before) who cares for him since last so many years without taking a day off.
One day he calls his lawyer friend Devyani Dutta (Shernaz Patel) giving his GUZAARISH. He want to appeal in court for euthanasia (Mercy killing). He has learnt from his doc (Suhel Seth) that his liver is not functioning properly n slowly diminishing. He knows slowly he is diminishing too. He wants a graceful exit from this life. The movie is about his this GUZAARISH.
The issue of GUZAARISH of euthanasia is a complex topic and so the end is left to the viewers by saying that they may keep on appealing for the same till long time.
Its a journey of a person who was so successful in life as a serious magician and was forced life on wheelchair for 14 years and realizing that he is diminishing and wants death in his hand;
Still when a young man Omar approaches him to learn magic tricks he teaches him even though he knew that Omar is the son of same man who was responsible for the accident, he wants his legacy to be continued.....
Sanjay Leeela Bhanshali has captured the movie and moods and emotions beautifully. This is a movie with a touch of fun. But its worth the efforts.
Hritik Roshan as Ethan is just superb. Be the first scene of fly to the scene where he hears voice of lost love for first time in 14 years to being frustrated when Sophia’s husband (Makrand Despande is a cameo in one scene only but leaves impact) to when he is talking with people on radio is just brillient. I know he will be lots of awards for this role. One of the milestone character for him.
Aishwarya Rai as a dedicated nurse impresses with her beauty, grace and acting. Though her character is not so well defined like why she is dedicating her life to one person for so long without expressing emotions etc. But she has done justice to her character.
All the others like Omar, devyani, doc, lawyer, judge, women who live with Ethan have done their part well.
Though lots of people loved the music, I didn’t like it that much. Sau gram zindgi and Udi Udi are good.
I felt this is much better movie compared to some of the movies that are coming out like Goalmaal series where they just make fun of disabilities of individuals.
Some of the best impact scenes
1) The fly on the nose-superb-attention grabbing start
2) The rain water leakage at night
3) Ethan singing "Life is wonderful" at his mother’s funeral when he can’t do anything else. -Touching
4) Ethan’s journey to courtroom, 1st time in 14 years-beautiful
5) Court set up at his home when Ethan gives lawyer (Rajat) taste of his life for 1 minute.
6) Aish’s husband thrashing her in front of Ethan and he feels so helpless.-- frustrations shown beautifully,
7) Sofia learns about mercy killing
8) Omar’s entry (fun) n first magic trick (fun) and revelation about his reality
9) Udi Udi song, Sau gram zindgi song
10) Last 15 minutes-heart warming
Its a movie that celebrates life and dignity of life.