Hindi Filams

Its difficult to write a review on Saawariya. The movie seems like an indiscreet effort after such heavy publicity, which doesn’t even have the real commercial touch. Why wouldn’t it be in trouble especially with OSO on the other side.

Let’s not sound very diplomatic here. But Saawairya, even though being rejected by audiences, has some justifiable peculiarities. Strong points are superb cinematography, brilliant music, and the exceptional Zohra Sehgal. But isn’t that all Mr. Bhansali?

Saawariya can be mistaken for an experimental musical play. The film is a fable without a moral lesson. A dramatic poem without any actual drama. A story without a plot. It’s an energizing myth of a dream woven on screen, but perceived only by the creator.

With songs springing up absolutely out of nowhere, fanaticism of crocodile tears, and with events which could only happen in a dream, Saawariya was still some good fun for me. If it wasn’t made for the masses, I guess SLB could have wholeheartedly exhibited his thoughts to make a good art film.

However, the story has nothing special. A love triangle which is not complete, the movie becomes an emotional roller coaster which is malfunctioning. I expected to see people crying by the end, but most of them had left, bored.

Ranbir Kapoor is juvenile as an actor in my opinion. He’s quite expressive in his role though, and a good dancer too. Girls do find their share of eye candy as far as his looks are concerned. Ranbir might do better with a different storyline in his future movies, hope not as the next impressive ’suiting-shirting’ model like Abhishek Bachchan all over TV.

Sonam Kapoor is very beautiful. Her innocence and sublimity can remind you of your first serious infatuation. Her smile is so pleasant, that it’s an incentive to forget everything else about the movie. It would be an insult to her elegance, if in her other roles she is made to do what other actresses do (item numbers, etc). Please vote for Sonam as the ‘Best newcomer’ for all award nominations.

Hats off to the music. The Saawariya ost has been doing great, and comes alive with an outstanding visual protraction. The only reason you will sit through many abrupt songs.
The sets… what a disappointment.

SLB movies are known for their flamboyant art direction, but when it goes in excess, they lose originality. Unlike Devdas, Saawariya has amazing sets lacking an appropriate theme. A Buddha statue in a red light area, canals and boats like Venice, snowfall, artistic graffiti on streets, all make it a where-on-earth-is-this location.

To summarize…

Not recommended for:
Diwali hai, movie chalo!
I love Rani Mukherjee.
I love Salman Khan.
Usual Bollywood fans.

Recommended for:
The hopeless romanticist.
The Iconoclast who laughs at seriousness.
The movie freak who just can’t miss any movie.
The film critic.

Part1, Part2, Part3, Part4, Part5, Part6, Part7, Part8