Swades [DVD]

I'm the kind of person who is usually impressed by movies who most people laugh off or condemn... probably because I look for more than just gunshots and punches. Most people, as soon as I mention this movie and the fact that it's bollywood, look at me as if I'm completely deranged. Well the joke is on them and the great storyline they'll miss.The first time I watched Swades around 3/4 of the way through on TV I was absolutely hooked by the movie but I had to switch it off because of time constraints. I never forgot the movie and now, around 4 years later I have bought it because I wanted to finish the job properly.The storyline behind the movie is one that I think a lot of us in the world today need to realise... it's beyond materialistic and doesn't bring religion or racial differences into the movie at all. It is simple a tale of love and finding your roots and doing what really matters to yourself and those closest to you. There's no violence or swearing and by the end of the movie you are really left thinking about what truly matters in life.I've watched lots of movies... and at times I enjoy to unwind with horrors or action flicks if I don't want to work my brain too hard, but this movie Swades is probably the best and most touching I have ever seen.

No-one in my family is Indian and we don't speak any Indian language but we all loved the movie. The songs and dances are catchy and fun; the scenery is beautiful; the plot is exciting, moving and engrossing.

Very good quality , arrived on time , package as described , running smooth and without pausing , I really enjoyed the movie.An A* appreciation mark from me .

Beautiful and meaningful film - you learn a valuable lesson about family!

This is a story of an Indian man called Mohan Bhargava (played by Shahrukh Khan) who has made it good in the USA, as a scientist working on a geophysical project for NASA. He has also been granted citizenship in the USA. On the way home with a friend, after addressing a press conference of the research findings of his group, he confesses his longing for his roots in the land of his birth. Especially does he miss his erstwhile nurse whom he calls Kaveriamma, who took very good care of him, even better than his parents, who had died earlier in a car crash. He is advised to take a holiday to India and return to the USA with her in tow.He leaves at once for India, but finds that Kaveriamma has returned to her native village. He makes his way there, in a borrowed caravan and is welcomed by Kaveriamma with open arms. She is, at the time, guardian to a young girl of marriageable age called Gita (played by newcomer Gayatri Joshi) and her brother. The children have been orphaned and the girl works as a teacher in the local school. Mohan gets quickly accepted by the tightly knit village community, not only because of his budding romance with Gita, but also for his open and outgoing nature. He gets to go to the village panchayat (meeting of the village heads with the common folk) and makes a very positive impression, while also raising eyebrows, because of ignoring caste restrictions and intermingling with all and sundry while initiating the development of basic infrastructure, such as an electricity generator and better schooling for the children in the village. By this time, his increasing involvement in the village affairs, has resulted in his extending his intended period of stay by several weeks. His boss requires that he return immediately and reluctantly, he does so. But the call of his country is too much for him and he returns to the village to work for its upliftment.The performances of the actors, especially the lead role played by SRK lends strong credibility to the film, despite its relatively thin storyline. Those of us who live abroad can truly identify with his dilemma. It is truly an agonizing choice that we face, of returning to help further the welfare of our loved ones at home, or to stay on in the land of milk and honey and cater to our professional ambitions. One derives vicarious satisfaction from Mohan's return to his roots and attending to the well-being of his own kind, and giving them the benefit of his broad based technical knowhow, derived from years of training abroad.As mentioned earlier, the role of Mohan is well tailored to King Khan's personality. Hé comes out as a sensitive, gentle, softspoken person with a great sense of humour and motivated by strong ideals and deep perceptions. In the service rendered by him to the villagers, he finds a sense of identity, he did not have before. Watching the movie, especially as an NRI; one shares in the suspense and the excitement of the discovery of this identity, and also in its fulfillment. This would hold, even though our own decision, if placed in the same situation, would be quite different.All in all, this is a movie one does not easily forget. A must see, especially for NRIs.

This is the film that made me fall in love with Indian cinemaIt's not just a story of self-discovery, but also of the discovery that traditions aren't always good- and that every person can do something to make it betterSRK shows that he really can act, just give him a good script and a good director.It's a long film, and worth every minute :)

This movie is very timely and articulates the inner turmoil within individuals away from 'home'. The story engages the viewer to answer some deeply buried issues about identity, about the self, about what is important in life. It also highlights the good & the bad aspects of the 'eastern way of living' as opposed to the western values. It is heartening to see great supporting performances that could've been overshadowed by the Shahrukh Khan's screen presence and trade mark performace. Gayatri Joshi brings a certain freshness that warms the spirit. All in all an extremely good movie by Ashutosh Gowarikar backed up by some great music by A. R. Rehman. If you like this movie, also consider Dil Chahta Hai, Lagaan, Sarfarosh, Baghbaan, Khakhee, Rang De Basanti, Virasat, Salaam Namaste, Hum Tum, Veer-Zara, Black, Ashoka and Ghulam. Hope that helps.