Some days back I read a review about Swadesh, the author wrote it is an honest effort by Ashutosh Gowarikar and yea our SRK, but I was not able to understand the word "honest" in this context, after watching the movie, in my opinion, these are the best words to describe the quality of the movie.
After a loooooooooooog gap of masala films, SRK did some wonderfully well, For the first time he came out of the RAJ self. The plus point of Swadesh is its simplicity. Its so simple in the story telling that you take everything for real...yes its happening correct.
Swadesh is high in acting department, Gayatri Joshi has a long way to go.... she is marvellous in the movie... even sometimes SRK got shadowed by her brilliance......... but it was Shahrukh's movie so he had the edge. But kudos to Ashutosh for maintaing the balance among its characters. He never let the characters get slipped away.
Comic part of the movie is lightweight, but in good taste. Characters' of postman and melaram are well etched. Songs are meaningful and already a hit. as always Rehman at his best.
Now some points where Swadesh falters.
First and formost its length...... it seems that Ashustosh has a penchant of making "extra ultra featured feature films". and Swadesh is (i felt) even longer than Lagaan. Although it will give audience more entertaining hours :-)), but it's repelling some viewers(a fact). But once got seated you will love to be there for the rest of the movie. But ashutosh should learn to fit the movie in two CDs :-)).
Besides length, the movie become somewhat dramatic in few scenes, that could have been edited for good, and wouldn't have decreased the quality(IMHO it would have increased).
Camera work and cinematography is lovely. Should get full praise the work.
Summing up SWADESH is a MUST WATCH for a movie goer and yea for SRK fans.
Can't say whether it will run in oscars :-D, but SRK definetly get some of our desi awards.
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SP
