Saawariya
Well, once again in our dear Indian cinema, another great movie goes unnoticed because the audience and our critics find the story weak which doesn’t appeal to the regular Indian audience, and it moves at a slow pace. Why? This is my question. But movies like Partner, Heyy Babyy, Om Shanti Om, Bhagam Bhag have the same stories over the years in Bollywood, yet they work with the Indian audience because of the mass appeal. Come on audience, learn to grow up. Watch something new, and appreciate it. Why appreciate the same thing over and over again. No one is saying to watch mass appeal films, watch it, but at the same time, appreciate the new kind of cinema we are getting. Imagine our cinema with pure comedies, is that what our cinema wants to be in the next 20 years? What will our cinema achieve in the long-run? Why is everyone concern about mass appeal. Does mass appeal makes a film work, or other components? This is what lacks in our Indian audience because all they want is mass appeal. Did Raj Kapoor, Bimal Roy and Guru Dutt concern about the mass appeal when they made Mera Naam Joker, Do Bigha Zameen, Bandini, Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam and Kaagaz Ke Phool? And the films I mentioned are classics today, and they had no mass appeal. As Bollywood cinema, we have the potential and ability to be amongst the top in the world, but a Partner, Heyy Babyy, Om Shanti Om and Bhagam Bhag won’t take you far, however, a 1971, Dharm, Chak De India and Saawariya can take you far.
Why will Saawariya take Indian cinema far? Well, we have to look at it this way. SLB gave Saawariya a new fresh look, a look never experienced in Indian cinema. It’s like you are entering a fairy tale world. I seriously don’t get how people are question the time period, location and setting of the film, does that matter? Why didn’t the international audience questioned that when they were watching Wizard Of Oz (when she is in a dream world), or even Snow White, why are such questions relevant for? Plus, Omang Kumar deserves huge praise for the sets he has used. The cinematography is excellent in the film. The music is excellent. These days music doesn’t flow with the film, but in this film, it flows right and come at the right time. Not one song was misplaced, everything was perfectly situated. The background music is superb keeping in mind the mood of the film. Plus the ending is excellent, as its sad. But sad endings have worked well, and with Saawariya, it’s no exception.
People criticize Sanjay Leela Bhansali, but I give him a lot of credit for what he has done. First off, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is one director who dares to be different. He does something which appeals to him and not to the audience, which is great because it’s good to understand it from a director point of view. For his Black, he didn’t care about mass appeal, he made the film straight from his heart. And it worked at the BO. But for Saawariya, people are not accepting it. Why? Because it’s different, or it has not story? People, you have to understand it’s a work of pure poetry. Poetry can be felt, and makes you imagine. And that’s the beauty of Saawariya. People are complaining about the pace, but it moves in a slow, yet nice pace. Remember, a slow pace movie is sometimes better than a mass appealing film. And with Saawariya, it proves that point.
Debutant Ranbir Kapoor makes an excellent debut in this film. He has all what it takes to be a huge superstar. He is confident on screen and shows. He can dance, he can act, and he even makes you feel his character. The ending will have you sympathize with Ranbir Kapoor. A superstar is definitely in the making. Sonam Kapoor is a beauty, but her acting talents still needs to prove. However, for a first film, it’s good. Rani Mukherji is excellent in her role.
If there’s one flaw in this movie its Salman Khan characterization. This is where I give low marks to SLB because so many questions remain unanswered with Salman Khan character. He should’ve made his character better. However, one must say that Salman Khan has huge screen presence.
So, is Saawariya worth a watch? Definitely. Why watch the same thing over and over again, when you can get something new from SLB. Watch it with an open mind and from the director point of view. Watch it as you are entering this fairy tale life. Watch it for Ranbir Kapoor. Watch it for the excellent music. It will be a shame if India flops this because it’s bound to get its due in the future. The Toronto audience loved it, hopefully the Indian audience will like.
Here are my picks of the for this year Awards for Saawariya (hopefully they judge fairly)
Best Cinematography
Best Background Music
Best Music – Monty (he truly deserve it)
Best Playback (Male) – Shail Hada (Saawariya Title Track)
Best Debutant (Male) – Ranbir Kapoor
Thank you Mr. Bhansali for another quality product.