Writer/Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Rani Mukerji, Sonam Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor
‘A Mesmerizing Romance’
Few actresses in Bollywood are as beloved as Rani Mukerji. Ever since rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Mukerji has transformed into one of the finest actresses in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, prostitutes or bold housekeepers, Mukerji has suggested she can portray various characters. Through her ability to portray characters that are compelling, she has created a legacy which has proven lasting. Mukerji’s greatest strength as an actress has always been her versatility. Mukerji’s strength as an actress is her courage to take risks. She is one of those actresses which has never been afraid of taking risks in her career by playing characters which aren’t commonly likeable. Despite reaching age of retirement, Mukerji has never lost her passion for making powerful entertainment. Throughout an enduring career, Mukerji has crafted many memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt absolutely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Mukerji and adore all the movies which she has made in her career. However, “Saawariya” definitely stands out as her most underrated movie. Released in 2007, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movie offered a powerful portrait of prostitution. Packed with breathtaking production, spellbinding storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a stellar Bollywood romance. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Rani Mukerji, who plays a passionate prostitute. Although “Saawariya” is a riveting Indian romantic drama, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from uneven pacing testing viewers’ patience. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment which would satisfy fans of Rani Mukerji.
Set in old-fashioned India, “Saawariya” tells the story of two strangers that fall in love in a dilemma. Ranbir Kapoor portrays Ranbir Raj, a talented singer that has an aptitude for composing songs. With encouragement from his friend Gulabji (Rani Mukerji), Ranbir sings unforgettable melodies at clubs in the town. However, Ranbir’s life forever changes when he falls in love with a stranger. Sakina (Sonam Kapoor) is a mysterious woman that immediately catches the curiosity of Ranbir. Despite her mysterious nature, Ranbir takes an immediate liking to Sakina. As the odds become stacked against his favour, Ranbir questions whether Sakina will ever truly be his lover.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is fascinated with the theme of doomed love. A brilliant Bollywood filmmaker, Bhansali has often made strong movies about romance ending in a disaster. His iconic film “Devdas” offered a powerful portrait of lovers torn apart by the barriers of social class. With “Saawariya”, however, Bhansali created his first short story literary adaptation. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to adapt a celebrated Indian short story on the big-screen but he succeeded. Through strong cinematography, Bhansali captures a singer embarking upon a journey to discover his identity. Evoking James Mangold’s “Walk the Line”, Bhansali expertly uses montages to capture a musician that faces a decline. For instance, montages enhance the clubs singing scene. During this heartfelt scene, Ranbir performs a melody at a club in his town. Using montages, Bhansali creates a portrait of musicians that proves engaging. Montages are tricky techniques. As Karan Johar’s “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” suggested, montages enhance Bollywood films about college. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Bhansali captures the tensions that singers in a small town are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Saawariya” that deserves appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive Bollywood movies you will ever see. Bhansali has always had a talent for constructing the sets of his movies, and “Saawariya” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Inspired by K. Asif’s “Mughal-e-Azam”, Bhansali effectively uses set-design to capture the lives of prostitutes that face a decline. Throughout the film, the sets show Gulabji’s careers as a small town prostitute. For instance, sets enhance the prostitution introduction scene. During this memorable scene, Ranbir meets Gulabji for the first time stating their friendship. Using breathtaking sets. Bhansali crafts portraits of prostitution which are engaging. Moreover, the musical score is extraordinary. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that prostitutes bear. Using strong production, Bhansali capture the terrifying realities of prostitution.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Saawariya” is a Bollywood romantic movie that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and expertly uses silence to convey hardships which doomed lovers experience. Evoking Guru Dutt’s “Kaagaz Ke Phool”, the filmmaker effectively uses silence to convey tensions doomed lovers face. For instance, silence enhances the farewell scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Ranbir bids tearful farewell to Sakina as she leaves a town with her lover. Through silence, Bhansali creates a portrayal of doomed love audiences relate to. Silence is a tricky technique. As Shaad Ali’s “Bunty Aur Babli” suggested, silence enhances Bollywood movies about lives of con-artists. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Bhansali captures doomed lovers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Rani Mukerji delivers one of her best career performances as Gulabji. Mukerji achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroines in classic Bollywood films. With “Saawariya”, however, Mukerji took on her most bold role. it isn’t easy to portray a prostitute enduring adversity but he succeeds immensely. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most underrated role. With engaging expressions, she captures angst, jealousy and resentments of a prostitute that faces tension. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest actresses that’s working in Bollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Mukerji, the supporting cast is superb and worthy of appreciation. Ranbir Kapoor is remarkable, capturing the charisma of a musician that falls in love with a mysterious woman causing a dilemma. Sonam Kapoor is spectacular, bringing wisdom towards a woman that seeks to overcome barriers of sexism. Lastly, Salman Khan is deserving of appreciation. As a lover, he is unforgettable.
Despite is strong performances, however, “Saawariya” can’t quite capture the lives of lovers in India. If there’s a shortcoming to the movie, it lacks strong pacing. Bhansali’s decision to integrate subplots about religion into the movie is bold but doesn’t succeed entirely. Due to this faulty decision, scenes capturing Imaan’s religious faith aren’t as engrossing as Ranbir’s journey. Bhansali’s movies thrive based on their pacing, and in this sense “Saawariya” falters. Therefore, “Saawariya” can’t quite capture the lives of lovers audiences adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Rani Mukerji will enjoy “Saawariya” and so would audiences that seek meaningful entertainment. A riveting Bollywood romantic drama, it celebrates an actress that is beloved in India.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about a musician that falls in love with a mysterious woman, it’s a riveting reminder of a beloved actress with commitment that has created memorable movies throughout her career that are absolutely without a doubt worthy of appreciation.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 