SWADES: We, the people

Swades: We, the People is a 2004 Indian film written, produced and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, starring Shahrukh Khan and debutant Gayatri Joshi.

Brief Summary
A man searching for clues to his past pays a visit to the place where he was born. The drama is laced with adventure, Bollywood music and love for ones homeland. Mohan Bhargava (Shah Rukh Khan) left the small village in India where he was born and raised to travel to the United States, where he worked as part of the American space program. But after the death of his parents, Mohan becomes nostalgic for his home and takes a leave in order to visit Kaveri (Kishori Ballal), a woman who helped to raise him as a boy. While searching for Kaveri, Mohan becomes reacquainted

with Gita (Gayatri Joshi), one of his friends from his school days who has stayed behind to serve the community as a teacher. Gita thinks little of Mohan's desire to bring Kaveri back to the United States with him.

Brief Summary
One day Kaveri Amma sends him away to another village called Kodi to collect dues from a farmer named Haridas who has rented their land. Along the journey, Mohan realizes that the problems he had seen in the village mirror those faced by almost all other villages in the country. Haridas, the farmer who owes rent has no money to feed his own family. Mohan returns empty handed, but is full of a new sensitivity and perspective towards the harsh

realities of rural India. This journey to Kodi and back proves to be the turning point in Mohan's life and he comes back with a resolve to take more interest in improving the quality of life of the villagers. But many in the community have little regard for Mohan's accomplishments in the United States until he steps forward to help his old neighbors by revamping the village's antiquated electrical system making the village self-sufficient. By then, it's time for him to leave. Kaveri Amma, whom he had intended to take along with him, refuses to come. He returns alone but feels a growing sense of responsibility towards his country and guilt for not being able to do much for the welfare of its people.

CRITICAL APPRECIATION

Cinematography [Mahesh Aney] is excellent. The rural look has been captured beautifully. Dialogues [K.P. Saxena] are outstanding, but they tend to get into a sermonizing mode after a point. The music is brilliant and mesmerizing. Shah Rukh Khan stands firm on his feet in dramatic sequences, confirming yet again that he's not merely a super-star, but a good actor as well. Gayatri Joshi makes a confident debut, though she can go easy on her expressions at times. Yet, considering that this happens to be her maiden big screen appearance as also the fact that she's paired with the country's biggest star, Gayatri manages to make her presence felt. The story of SWADES would've been ideal for a documentary, the story is not as absorbing - it doesn't have the meat to last for 3 long hours - and even the narrative unfolds at a sluggish and lethargic pace. Yes, SWADES has a few interesting moments. But a handful of deftly executed sequences aren't enough. To put it bluntly, the movie is very high on hype, good on substance and low on entertainment.

On the whole the movie perfectly portrays ones love towards his/her homeland and most importantly National Integration! Amit AWARDS and RATINGS
RATINGS National Film Awards

(Planet Bollywood) (IMDb)

(Rediff)

Best Male Playback Singer - Udit Narayan Best Cinematography - Mahesh Aney

Filmfare Awards

Best Actor - Shahrukh Khan Best Background Score - A.R. Rahman

Global Indian Film Awards

Best Actor - Shahrukh Khan Best Newcomer - Gayatri Joshi

Zee Cine Awards

Best Female Debut - Gayatri Joshi Best Story

Star Screen Awards

Most Promising Female Newcomer - Gayatri Joshi

Bollywood Movie Awards

Best Debut Female - Gayatri Joshi

Film Caf Awards

Best Actor - Shahrukh Khan

Rupa Cinegoers Awards for Jury Best Actor

Jury Best Actor - Shahrukh Khan