WARNING! This film is a bit anti-american, but don’t worry my review isn’t
.:: The Title ::.
When you hear the title of the film, ‘Pardes’, you are instantly given the impression that the film is about someone goes overseas.
.:: The Stars ::.
This was the first film that starred Mahima Choudary whose name was changed from Ritu Choudary since the filmmakers thought it was unsuitable. She played the character Ganga aka Kusum the daughter of farmer Surajdev.
Shah Rukh Khan plays the character of Arjun from America. He has no parents and Kishori Lal is like a father to him. He lives in America.
The Plot
So the story starts off with Kishori Lal (Amrish Puri) returning to India. He has been living in America for some time now but is extremely glad to be back home to his homeland. He explains to a group of English people that in India, love is to just give but unlike American where it is give and take.
He meets up with his close to heart friend Surajdev and his family, including Ganga. Kishori Lal develops a liking to Ganga after she takes care of him and makes sure he takes his medicines on time, so he decides to ask her hand in marriage for his son, Ranjiv. Since, Rajiv has lost his mother at a very young age, Suraj agrees to the marriage making the women of the house furious at the idea of Ganga marrying an American.
Ganga’s little brother brings 2 sets of photos of her future husband for Ganga to guess. At first she is confused but ends up choosing the right photo.
The next scene begins with Arjun (Shah Rukh) being interviewed about his single hit, ‘I Love India.’ He reveals his life as he was orphaned at the age of ten but was taken by Kishore who brought him to the USA where he started to work at a garage as a taxi-driver until one day Kishore made him the manager of the garage. He tells the audience that the day Kishore found out he could sing he converted the garage into a makeshift music studio.
The audience finds out that Arjun’s dream is to open a music school in India for the poor kids. Right at this point of the film, the interview is interrupted by a phone call from Kishore who wants Arjun to immediately come to his office. Gently, Arjun persuades the interviewer that Kishore is more important to him than anything. Arjun heads for the office, where Kishore asks Arjun to persuade Rajiv to consider marriage to Ganga.
Back in Dehli, Arjun arrives to see Ganga for Rajiv. He is shocked at the lifestyle and immediately orders them to change everything so Rajiv can be impressed. The animals are all removed, along with the charpoy (bed frame). He tells the family that the servants cannot sleep outside an outside house will have to be built.
Ganga is definitely not impressed at this so-called Rajiv’s friend, so her and her siblings plan a plot.
One of the girls dresses up with thick-framed glasses and teeth sticking out pretending to be Ganga. When Arjun sees her he is shocked at Kishore’s choice and in a panic tries to phone him.
Unfortunately the lines are busy and he can’t get through. However, when Kishore phones back and Suraj picks it up and calls down Ganga, Arjun is left looking at the beautiful girl, realizing the other Ganga was the children’s trick.
He says sorry to Ganga and asks to become friends. Ganga agrees but tells him to bring back the animals and says, ’’Every relationship in this household is one of love, whether animal and human or master and servant. We do not break old relationships to make new ones.’’
After a whole lineup of events, Ganga is sent to America with Rajiv and her aunt to see how she likes it. She presumes that Arjun is coming with them but he decides not to, as he has too developed feelings for her. At the airport she is really hurt but drops him a letter.
Alone with Rajiv, poor Ganga is finding living in America difficult. Rajiv ignores her most of the time and slowly begins to reveal his true colours. She is completely shocked when she finds dirty photos of Rajiv and his ‘former’ girlfriend Kelly. She has been trapped with Arjun’s lies. She is alone in a world of bullies…
.:: What Happens Next? ::.
Well you may have guessed that the story has turned into a triangular love story now. Arjun loves Ganga and Ganga loves Rajiv but is that how it will stay? Watch the film to see how the story unfolds. Many shocks are in store.
.:: The Performances ::.
Despite it being her first film, Mahima has done an excellent performance playing a village girl following her family traditions. She has not been forced to act, but acts naturally and delivers her lines with confidence. She brings her character close to the audience with her emotions and innocent looks. She is also a fresh lead, which gives the film a new look.
Shah Rukh Khan is impressive in the film. He adds bits of comedy at the scenes at the farmhouse but then yet again, he adds emotion near the end as he is treated as a servant of the family.
Amrish Puri too, acts well. He starts with a soft side but that does not last long. His expression using his bad eyes indicates that he too is a villain of the film.
.:: The Music ::.
The music in this film has been a hit, with songs that are still popular today. It is important that each song is chosen to fit the flow of the mood and story and the music of the film, does just that. Nadeem- Shravan do an excellent job, with their songs, but the song near the end that hots everything up is the Qawali, ’’Nahi Hona Tha’’ sung by Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan and the Sabri Brothers. It sums everything up and grabs the viewer to the screen for the final ending.
Overall, Subhash Ghai has produced a wonderful film about life abroad, which is sometimes true depending on the family. A lot of lessons will be learnt from it.
A MUST WATCH FILM!
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Comments please!?
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