As an NRI, Swades spoke to me and touched me more than any other movie ever has. I was profoundly moved and set in the cinema for quite awhile after the movie was over. I can only hope that people actually thought about what they saw instead of bashing it as a ’’documentary’’ and ’’preachings’’ (Obviously these people don’t see many documentaries and don’t attend sermons either).
Performances
Shahrukh is great and is contained in his acting. His portrayal of Mohan Bhargav, a NASA scientist who realizes his responsibility to his country, is amazing.
Gayatri Joshi is awesome in her first movie. She’ll definately get many projects in her lap now and also grab the Best Debut no doubt.
Other than these 2, the supporting cast fit their roles perfectly.
Music
Yeh Tara and Yeh Jo Des stand out definately. Other than that, the music actually hinders the movie rather than help propell it forward. Background score is A+ though.
Screenplay/Direction
I have never seen a movie this original and brilliant. Hats-off to Ashutosh Gowarikar for making a socio-political movie for Bollywood instead of the usual eye-candy romantic and over-the-top melodrama which we normally see in Bollywood films. I think film-makers have a responsibility to use their $$$ and fame to improve conditions in India, rather than make movies about people going to work in helicopters and living in huge mansions. (No offense meant to Karan Johar. I love the dude, but really...)
Length is an issue. The movie would be much better off without some songs, especially Pal Pal Hai Bhari and would have helped to move the second-half along.
Other than that, Swades has moments of brilliance unseen and unheard especially in the second half. The sequence on the train and light bulb are life-altering and won’t be easily forgotten. Humor has been well-incorporated into the movie to make it light when it gets too slow / serious.
Watch Swades if you appreciate good and meaningful cinema. It treats a controversial issue with a lot of sensitivity and is not a gung-ho patriotic/nationalistic movie which is tough to portray.
Watch Swades even if you are more into the Johar-Chopra type of movies. You get treated to some light romantic moments and a powerful-performance from SRK.
Watch Swades if you are in search of an identity and realize your responsibility towards your people.