Writer/Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Gayatri Joshi and Kishori Ballal
‘A Captivating Classic’
Immigration is a painful process which causes people to face stress. At an early age, my life forever changed when my family immigrated to Canada. A drastic decision, immigration forced me to part ways with close companions which I regarded with affection. It was truly painful for me to bid goodbyes to friends that I had grown up to idolize bringing tears to my eyes. After I immigrated to Canada, I struggled to become well-adjusted to the lifestyle of a country that was far different from my homeland. I missed the culture, joy and tradition of my home city which had shaped my identity. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t forget about my home country that gave me feelings of pride. If there is any lesson that I took away from my drastic experience, immigration is a painful process in life that comes with repercussions. Years later, I have grown to treasure my homeland where I grew up that changed my life forever. Although I have become a Canadian citizen today, I still feel a strong association with my homeland of Pakistan that changed my life in every way. My homeland always holds a precious place in my heart even when I am located in a country that is miles apart.
Few movies I’ve ever seen have captured the process of immigration that causes stress as powerfully as “Swades”. Ever since its release in 2004, Shah Rukh Khan’s movie has stood a test of time as a classic. Packed with stunning production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Indian movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Shah Rukh Khan. In one of the best performances of his career, Khan captures the heavy burden which Indian immigrants living in America near. Ultimately, the film delivers a strong message about the painful consequences of immigration that will definitely resonate with everyone. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it discusses strong themes everyone will relate to. Viewers don’t need to be Indian in identity in order to acknowledge the movie. A strong Indian masterpiece about immigration, there’s many strong reasons why it’s a movie that’s worth seeing.
“Swades” tells the story of a successful Indian scientist that feels strong associations with his home country. Shah Rukh Khan plays Mohan Bhargav, an ambitious scientist that works for NASA in America. Despite the fulfilling nature of his job, Mohan misses his homeland which he values highly. When he discovers news of his dying mother, Mohan makes the decision to return back to his precious home in India. At first, Mohan is excited by the prospect of going back to his beloved homeland. However, his dreams are shattered when he discovers the downtrodden nature of his homeland. Mohan is shocked to discover his village lacks basic life necessities such as electricity, water and resources. Working with the village residents, Mohan seeks to restore electricity in his poor village. It isn’t long before Mohan forms strong association with his homeland. Faced with a dilemma, Mohan questions where he belongs in the world. Torn between two countries, he faces severe consequences of the immigration process causing adversities.
Ashutosh Gowariker is fascinated with stories of Indian villages. Before he directed “Swades”, Gowarikwr was known for making nationalistic films about India. His Oscar-nominated movie “Lagaan” provided an engaging glimpse at the games of crickets played by villagers in India. With “Swades”, however, Gowariker crafted his first ever film about Indian immigration. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture intense hardships faced by Indian immigrants, but he succeeded tremendously. Visually, the movie is a gorgeous feast for the eyes. Using gorgeous cinematography, Gowariker captures an Indian immigrant embarking on a journey to embrace his home country. Gowariker deftly uses real-life locations across India to capture the life of an Indian immigrant which values his country. Gowariker’s choices to shoot the movie in real-life locations across India works successfully. The real-life locations lend a sense of realism and authenticity to the movie by capturing the beauty of India. For instance, the locations of real-life villages elevate the caravan musical scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mohan embarks on an excited road trip to his village in India. One admires real-life Indian locations capturing the beauty of the rural country. Through real-life locations across India, Gowariker captures the beauty of the country. Using spellbinding visuals, Gowariker captures Indian immigrants that cherish home countries they find inspiring.
Another admirable aspect of “Swades” which is worth praising is the production-design. For a movie made in the early 2000’s, it has aged beautifully over time. Gowariker stages strong musical sequences showcasing hardships that Indian immigrants mourning loss of homelands go through. In Bollywood, most films are often driven by loud musical sequences without any meaning. Musical sequences are often nothing more than a distracting diversion. Fortunately, however, “Swades” avoids these pitfalls. The musical sequences in the film showcase real meaning. Assisted by composer A.R. Rahman, Gowariker builds gorgeous musical sequences capturing hardships of Indian immigrants. For instance, the musical sequences elevate the village congregation scene. During this strong scene, Mohan bonds with children living in his village by dancing. One appreciates powerful musical sequences capturing hardships which Indian immigrants go through. It brought back joyous memories of my experience cherishing my homeland when I had immigrated towards another country. Through stunning production-design, Gowariker illustrates Indian countries which shine.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Swades” is an Indian classic which remains compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the Indian immigration experience. Gowariker’s greatest screenwriting strength is capturing the painful consequences of Indian immigration through silence. Throughout the movie, Gowariker uses subtle sequences of silence to capture lives of Indian immigrants that mourn the presence of their homeland. For instance, silence elevates the “Yeh Jo Desh Hai Tara” sequence. During this heartfelt sequence, Mohan deeply misses the presence of his homeland when he moves back to America working for NASA. It reminded me of my grief mourning the memories of my home country when I immigrated to Canada. Silence is a tricky technique to use effectively in Bollywood films. Most Bollywood films are often driven by dialogue. Without dialogue, movies often risk becoming boring. As Kiran Rao’s “Dhobi Ghat” suggested clearly, sequences of silence often elevate Indian arthouse dramas. Aamir Khan’s “Taare Zameen Par” suggested sequences of silence elevate movies about intellectual disabilities. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Gowariker captures the tense hardship faced by commemorated Indian immigrants today.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his greatest performances as Mohan. Khan first achieved appreciation for playing star-crossed lovers in romantic dramas. With “Swades”, however, he took on his most emotional role. It isn’t simple to embody personality of an Indian immigrant which celebrates his home country, but Khan succeeded immensely. This is the movie-star unlike you’ve ever seen him before: emotional, charismatic and vulnerable in his finest career role. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to show a sensitive side to himself audiences had not seen before. Through riveting expressions, Khan captures the bravery, desperation and compassion of an Indian immigrant forming a strong connection with his precious homeland. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the greatest actors which works in Bollywood today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of recognition. Gayatri Joshi is great, capturing the commemorated feminist personality of a woman whose dreams of pursuing professions of teaching clash with sexist traditions of her country. Kishori Balal is brilliant, bringing humanity to Mohan’s aging mother that struggles to live in a downtrodden village that has become torn apart by poverty. Lastly, Daya Shankar Pandey merits appreciation. As an impoverished village man, he brings an air of tension to the movie.
Finally, “Swades” will earn the appreciations of everyone for capturing the immigration process causing stress. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles poignant themes everyone would be able to relate to. The film discusses strong themes such as identity, family and poverty that will definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be Indian to relate to the themes of the movie. It delivers a powerful message about immigration which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Swades” is one of those rare Bollywood movies which everyone would adore
Fans of Shah Rukh Khan would definitely adore “Swades” and so will movie-goers which cherish emotional entertainment. A captivating Indian classic, it captures the hardships experienced by immigrants that are tragic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about the excruciating hardships experienced by Indian immigrants finding moving back towards their homelands challenging, it’s a riveting reminder about the painful hardships faced by impoverished villages in India from one of the most beloved actors working in Bollywood whose timeless movies are definitely without any doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 