“Pardes” (1997) – Shah Rukh Khan’s Captivating Bollywood Romantic Classic About Foreign Lands

Writer/Director: Subhash Ghai

Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Mahima Chaudhry and Amrish Puri

‘A Captivating Classic’

Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his rise toward recognition in the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the greatest actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it is star-crossed lovers, gangsters or doomed superheroes, Khan has proven he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s finest strength as an actor has always been his charisma. He has often been of those rare actors with the abilities to use his charisma to attract audiences to the theatres. Through his abilities to play characters which prove to be compelling, Khan has created a legacy that’s lasting. Known as the Badshah of Bollywood, Khan has stood the test of time as a great icon in Indian Cinema. Despite reaching the ages of retirement, Khan hasn’t lost his passions for making engaging entertainment. An icon in India, Khan has become a bold actor whose movies commonly attract audiences to the Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has appeared in several unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth watching.

I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies that he has created in his career. However, “Pardes” may be his most underrated role. Released in 1997, Subhash Ghai’s Bollywood film offered a strong portrait of immigrants. Packed with breathtaking production, bold storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Shah Rukh Khan, who embodies a strong musician. Although “Pardes” is a Bollywood classic, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from uneven pacing that tests viewers’ patience. Nevertheless, it offers fun entertainment for fans of Bollywood cinema.

“Pardes” tells the story of an Indian woman that’s torn between her homeland and west. Mahima Chaudhry portrays Ganga, a young Indian woman that has grown up living in a city of America. Raised by a western father, Ganga is expected to marry a westernized Indian lover. However, Ganga’s life changes when she falls in love with some other Indian man that causes disaster. Arjun (Shah Rukh Khan) is a a talented musician that forms a strong bond with Ganga. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Ganga wonders whether she can ever locate a suitable lover. Faced with a dilemma, Ganga questions her long-lasting connection to her home nation of India.

Subhash Ghai has always been fascinated with themes of Indian immigrants. A brilliant Indian filmmaker, Ghai has often made bold movies about Indian immigrants which face disaster. With “Pardes”, however, Ghai made his first ever romantic drama. It marked the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture tensions faced by Indian immigrants that experience adversity but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Ghai captures a musician embarking on a journey in a foreign country. Inspired with Ramesh Sippy’s “Sholay”, Ghai uses montages to capture tensions Indian immigrants face that cause a price to pay. For instance, montages elevate the musical performance scene. During this memorable scene, Arjun delivers a music performance for Ganga in America. Using bold montage, Ghai creates a portrait of immigrants that’s compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to employ in films. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, montages elevate Bollywood films about dysfunctional families. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using breathtaking visuals, Ghai captures tension that musicians in a foreign land are facing.

Another admirable aspect of “Pardes” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood films you will ever see. Ghai has always had an aptitude for staging musical scenes in movies, and “Pardes” showcased his strength as a filmmaker. Ghai effectively uses costumes to stage musical sequences which are compelling. Throughout the film, Arjun’s costumes showcase his talents as a musician. For instance, costumes enhance the Meri Mehbooba song. During this strong scene, Arjun delivers a musical performance showcasing his talents as an artist. Through strong costumes, Ghai creates a portrait of musicians that’s engaging. Furthermore, the music is magnificent. Vanraj Bhatia’s music is key toward success of the movie. It gives the film an intense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden musicians bear. Using strong production, Ghai captures a strong portrait of a musician.

Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Pardes” is a Bollywood movie that’s truly engaging. The movie is beautifully written, effectively using dramatic monologues to capture tensions faced by immigrants in a foreign country. For instance, monologues elevate the love confession scene. During this unforgettable scene, Ganga expresses her dilemma being torn between two highly different lovers in countries. Though strong dramatic monologues, Ghai crafts a portrait of immigration audiences can easily relate to. Dramatic monologues are tricky to use in film. Aditya Chopra’s “Mohabbatein” proved that monologues elevate Bollywood movies about tense hardships of college students. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Ghai captures the lives of immigrants that face a price to pay.

One appreciates amazing performances.

Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his greatest performances as Arjun. Khan first achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroes in Bollywood movies. With “Pardes”, however, he took on his most musical role. It’s tough to portray a musician which faces adversity, but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, riveting and emotional in his most subtle role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief of a musician engaging in foreign nations. It’s a powerful performance from one of the best actors that’s working in Bollywood today.

While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Shah Rukh Khan, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciations. Amrish Puri is amazing, capturing the fierce personality of a father struggling to care for a massive Indian family in a foreign country. Mahima Chaudhry is magnificent, bringing charisma to a woman torn between her love for life in America and India. Lastly, Apurva Agnihotri deserves recognition. As a western man, he is unforgettable.

Finally, “Pardes” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing hardship immigrants face. Unlike most Bollywood movies made in the 1990’s which are outdated, it has aged beautifully. It discusses strong themes such as immigration, mental health and parenting that will resonate among everyone. Viewers are not required to be familiar with culture of India to appreciate it. Therefore, “Pardes” is one of those rare Indian films everyone will adore.

Fans of Shah Rukh Khan will absolutely love “Pardes” and so would movie-goers which seek exhilarating entertainment. A brilliant Bollywood romantic drama, it celebrates a legendary actor in India.

Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about an Indian woman trapped in a dilemma torn between lovers in America, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor with charisma that’s made unforgettable movies throughout his career which definitely demand to be seen in the Cinema representing the best of art in India.

5/5 stars

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