Pardes

Pardes, directed by Subhash Ghai, is a heartfelt film that beautifully captures the cultural clash between traditional Indian values and the Western way of life. The story revolves around Kishorilal (Amrish Puri), an NRI in America who wants an Indian bride for his westernized son. He finds Ganga (Mahima Chaudhry), a pure-hearted girl from his hometown in India. Shah Rukh Khan delivers a compelling performance as Arjun, Kishorilal's foster son, who becomes entangled in the ensuing drama. The film's strength lies in its music and emotional storytelling, though it sometimes veers into melodrama. Overall, Pardes offers a poignant look at the idea of home and identity, making it a classic in the genre of Indian cinema.

This movie makes all of us NRIs or better known as ABCDs look like value-less and immoral pigs. Mr. Ghai should have actually researched the way of life of NRIs in America and UK before he even wrote the script on this movie. But as with all Hindi movie-makers, they don't even research the topic their movie is about and do something that unsophisticated Indian audiences would believe (which is just about everything on the big screen) This is the MAIN reason why most commercial Hindi films lack credibility and Pardes being one of the most notorious examples that supports my theory. One example of this increduality is how smoking and drinking are treated in this film. In India nobody smokes? drinks? Another is the assumption that Air India and more unbelievably Indian Airlines flies to American (and moreover to L.A. aka Vancoover, where the movie is filmed). In my life experiences, I have never ever met an NRI (or even a white guy) with the selfish, stuck up attitude as exuded by Amrish Puri's son in Pardes. So congratulations, Mr. Ghai, you have convinced several millions in India that us male NRIs are all egotistically womanizers and pigs. This treatment is also true for NRI females. Amrish Puri's wife in this movie is also portrayed as a "chudail" What's up with that? Well...you all know how I feel about this film. But I recommend you see it just to see how many stupid mistakes that Mr. Ghai has made.

The movie is well made. The characters are believable and justified. One of the few movies that attempts to mix west and east, which is not done bad. Aa ab laut chalen is one of those. Patriotism is shown from cultural perspective, but alright. Songs are reminding of 90s trend, melodies of both western beats and soulful Indian tunes. It could have been highly intense in its contents by adding a few subplots regarding cultural shock issues. Its because a lot of Indians face that in reality. The film is made in themes like, friendship, love, sacrifice, misunderstanding, families with high reputation involved etc. It is a tale of love in personal level of the protagonist and in it the nationalism comes into play. It doesnot seem so irrational because the lady is affected by it more than the protagony. And love emotions plays it's natural part succeedingly.

The film is technically impressive, retains the serene presentation of standard 90s. SRK and other casts have done well, but not without the lining of dramatizations. No significant flaws present, except that of contents. Not really a perfected depictions of traditionalism and ultra modernism fused into one. But still an impressive try in that line. A 67/100.

This is an excellent film, Sharukh Khan gives an astounding performance as Arjun, Mahima Choudhary puts a lot of effort in to her character as the chemistry between Mahima and Sharukh shows throughout the film. This is a different film from the others as it concentrates on the differences between countries. The songs in the film are also meaningful and romantic. Overall, this film is one of my favourite films.

Briefly, the story goes like this. Kishorilal (Amrish Puri) is an NRI whose heart belongs to his homeland, India (or so he says). On a trip back home, he meets his old friend, Alok Nath (forget his name). Kishorilal is impressed with the traditional values his friend has instilled in his daughter, Ganga (Mahima Chawdhry). So he requests Ganga's hand in marriage for his westernized son, Rajiv (Apoorva Agnihotri) who he hopes will become more Indian with Ganga in his life.

To prepare Ganga and her family for Rajiv's visit to India, comes Arjun (Shahrukh Khan), adopted son of Kishorilal. Arjun is a struggling musician who even though has lived in America for a few years is completely Indian at heart. After Rajiv's visit, Ganga is sent off to America to experience and understand the life there before she gets married. There she is entrusted to Rajiv who exposes her to the so called American culture. She is shocked and runs to Arjun for comfort. She begins to get closer to Arjun who is already in love with her.

The elders misinterpret their friendship and with the help of Rajiv's skewed mind label Arjun as the enemy. A highly melodramatic climax leads to an obvious ending.

So whats the problem with Pardes? Why has it raked up so much controversy you ask. Well the answer lies in the director/storyteller of this enterprise, Mr. Subhash Ghai. His portrayal of Americans and Indians living in America is completely one-sided. He shows them as drunk, sexually obsessed individuals with no values or principles.

Mr. Ghai did have a message to send to his audience but somewhere on the way it got lost in all the melodrama. His message was to be careful that we don't let foreign influences ruin what is India's most valuable entity: traditional family values and principles. What he fails to do is show all sides of the coin. There exist people in America, UK and other such countries who hold onto their values, following them to a fault. Also, he should have taken a closer look at India. There are some aspects of Indian culture that are utterly ridiculous, and we might do well to take some advice from outside and NRI's are our link to such changes. The world is not black and white, there's a lot more gray than Mr. Ghai seems to want to acknowledge.

Patriotism is a wonderful thing until you begin to stop using your brain because your blinded by it.

Everything else in the movie is average and sometimes below average. Nadeem-Shravan's music is hummable at points and loud at others. Mahima Chawdhry, the new find is pretty and decent for a newcomer but is guilty of overacting at points. Apoorva Agnihotri, although a good-looker is below average. His dialogue delivery is his downfall. Amrish Puri and Alok Nath are also guilty of overacting. I'm guessing this overdose of melodrama has to do more with the director than the actors. So they are forgiven.

Shahrukh Khan is the saving grace of this film. Coming up with one of his most subtle performances of his career, he is simply outstanding. His silence and subtlety have so much more effect than the rest of the cast's yelling and preaching. He is the only reason I own the DVD of this film. Watch Pardes, if only for the King Khan.