Saawariya

Mvng slowly,but nicely taken. All credits goes to SLB.Songs are fantastic.....

Ranbir Raj (Ranbir Kapoor), a free spirited idealist – dreamer, arrives in a dreamy surreal town and joins as a lead singer in its swankiest club. Here he bumps into Gulabji (Rani Mukerji), a prostitute, who immediately falls for his naivety and innocent charm. One night he notices a mysterious girl standing alone on a bridge holding an umbrella. As he tries to strike a conversation, she shies away. But he still keeps following her and both end up becoming friends. This mystery girl, Sakina (Sonam Kapoor) forever carries a sadness in her eyes which leaves Ranbir intrigued. But so mesmerized he is with her that his every minute goes into discussing her with his land lady, Lillipop (Zohra Sehgal) and Gulabji.

Just when Ranbir is about to express his true feelings to her, she reveals the reason behind her unhappiness. She tells him she is waiting for her love, Imaan (Salman Khan) to return. A year back before leaving, he had promised that he would be back and meet her on the same bridge that he saw her waiting.

I can't believe Saawariya was so badly received. First things first, the film is stunning, just stunning to look at. The set design, very European in style and arrangement, the beauty of the streets and the mirror-like lakes, the lighting, and the phenomenal camera work, are all evidence of tremendous production values which far overpower the film's actual content. Sometimes content is not all you want to see on film - the film is a true visual treat and sometimes it's good enough. But then the rest of it is not that bad at all, Bhansali's attention to detail on the technical front is matched by a narrative so whimsical and muscial that the film ends up working as a full-on fairy tale. I think the poor reception to the film reflected umatched expectations. To me, it is a fair romantic adaptation of Dostoevsky's White Nights which is not to be taken seriously content-wise but rather enjoyed.

Indeed, self-indulgent and a little overlong it is, but I really didn't care much because I myself was mostly busy indulging in how beautifully it was shot. The music by Monty Sharma matches the film's theatrical style and colour. The film introduces two young stars - both from different Kapoor family clans. Male lead Ranbir Kapoor is the main protagonist and does very well in his debut performance. Sonam Kapoor is incredibly pretty as Sakeena, his love interest who is the quintessential film heroine, the demure, pure, giggly young woman, and she does very well. Zohra Segal is also here and is very good. Salman Khan is a bit of a distraction, but Rani Mukerji is a delight all the way in a wonderfully playful performance, topping it with a great dance number, "Chhabeela". Saawariya is an overwhelming visual extravaganza, and to me, it is an absolute delight.

This movie will be framed in gold as one of the most astonishing movies ever made in Indian cinema. Each and every scene gives you an impression of 2.5yrs of real efforts done by the great Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He has truly evolved the Indian cinema with his unique way of movie making. He has emerged as one of the most daring movie makers in the world, specially in India. This masterpiece is about an imaginary world about 2 lovers and their journey towards true love.

Raj played by Ranbir Kapoor and Sakina played by Sonam Kapoor have done marvelous job as the lead pair. Both are looking immensely confident and amazing in this movie. They are going to be the new superstars of Bollywood as they have shown a lot of talent and amazing chemistry. They both are so true and close to their roles that their characters-Raj and Sakina will be remembered in lines of DDLJ, QSQT and Bobby.

Ranbir is sure-shot a star material and so is Sonam. The movie starts with Ranbir coming to this imaginary world and how he mesmerizes Gulab, a prostitute played by Rani Mukherjee and gets in to her heart as a special admirer. With her help, he manages to stay with Zohra Sehgal. An old women who found his lost son in Ranbir. The movie then takes you in a steady journey of Raj meeting Sakina and how they found or lose their love. To be honest, I'm not a great fan of sad-ending movies but Saawariya is a true exception.

Remember those days when your grandma or mom tells you a story about fairy world? How an angel comes to help a small girl and singing a beautiful song for her which led trees, rivers, birds to rhyme and enjoy all together? This movie is exactly about that kind of world with lots of hope and sacrifices for the true love.

Understand, there is no set of format to make a movie where a movie should have a flow from A to Z. Its all about understanding the movie with a different set of mind. There are some classic movies like Satya and Company which are so true to real bad world. But with Saawariya its not about how true or logical you are, its about thinking all good things and getting in to the flow of the movie.

Zohra Sehgal as an old lady who helps Raj in this new town is also a strong pillar to hold this movie in terms of acting and appearance. Salman has done a descent job in a cameo appearance and Rani is wonderful in her performance and dancing.

Its sheer delight listening such a soothing music after very-very long time and my favorites are 'Jab se tere naina', 'Yun shabnami' and of course, the title track-'Saawariya'.

All said and done, its a lovely movie with great performances from Ranbir, Sonam, Zohra and Rani. This is the first movie which has impressed me with its looks and cinematography. Hail Sanjay Leela Bhansali!

'Saawariya' was one of those over-hyped films that I thought of skipping. Not because of the hype but because of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Bhansali's debut venture 'Khamoshi The Musical' remains one of my favorite film. After that he made 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' which for me was merely a one-time watchable film. This was followed by 'Devdas and 'Black' which were awful. The reason why I finally watched it was because I didn't have to pay. So what did I think? I didn't like the film.

On the technical side, 'Saawariya' is well made. The cinematography, lighting etc work are quite impressive. The set design is spectacular but looks fake (works for something like 'Moulin Rouge'). The film is set in some kind of France-Italy combo inhabited by Indians. For obvious reasons, Bhansali gives the film a blueish tint. However, 'Saawariya' is the kind of movie that required a more subtle treatment than the operatic loudness.

So where exactly does it fail? The story. There's no soul. It's extremely slow (and uninteresting as it's obvious what will happen) and knowing that it may have been ripped off from Visconti's 'Le Notti Bianche' doesn't do anything for the liking. The numerous references to the Kapoor family looks forced. Again, Bhansali presents the lead heroine as the flawless 'adarsh bharatiya naadi' (typical traditional Indian woman), who is coy and innocent, makes sacrifices and whatever. He did the same with Aishwarya and Madhuri in his previous films.

Sonam Kapoor is passable in some scenes but in other scenes it appears as if she's on weed, e.g. especially because of her constant giggling. Perhaps this is a reference to some kind of madness as Imaan may be a 'symbolic' representation of that (suggesting that Imaan does not exist). However, this aspect is not explored and why would Imaan be a representation of madness? The character is one of the dullest I've seen in recent cinema and the viewer is left wondering what it was about Imaan that got Sakina so obsessed. Say even, if Sakina was mad, her acting out of the symptoms looks unreal. Yet, there may be room for improvement depending on her future film choices and directors. Ranbir Kapoor really overdoes his act, trying too much to look lovable and sympathetic. I can see that the actor really is trying (perhaps too much) but his expressions and moves just don't look natural and all those references to RK movies flooding the screen do not help. Salman Khan personifies wooden. In a small role, Zohra Sehgal is okay. In the end, it is Rani Mukherjee's performance that leaves an impact. She is absolutely fantastic. Her scenes really are worthwhile. She completely nails the part. Although in that same year, she does play a prostitute in 'Laaga Chunari Mein Daag', the actress really does make both characters unique. She looks and acts the part (looking pretty hot).

Although I didn't like the film, there were a few enjoyable moments (that I mentioned above) and I was doing something else at the same time, so it wasn't a full waste of hours. I can see why many would like the film because it is pretty to look at but it has no heart. In my opinion, 'Saawariya' is forgettable and it does not deserve more than a one-time watch.

The word "Saawariya" means a lover. There was song sung by the nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar, many, many years back by the same title.

I don't know why this movie has been compared with "Om Shanti Om." The stories are completely different, even though the genre may be the same - love story and also being released on the same day - Diwali and also Ranbir Raj Kapoor dancing in the towel and Shah Rukh Khan showing his "six pack." But the two movies should not have been compared. The other difference, besides the story is that Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who has directed some excellent movies such as "Devdas", "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" and "Khamoshi - The Musical" and "Black", has launched two new stars - Ranbir Raj Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor and in the other - it has a super star and introducing Deepika.

Raj, gets Job to sing in a club in which there are prostitutes, one being Gulabji, with whom he becomes friends. He informs her that he is new in the town and has no place to stay. She gives him address of an old woman and tells him that she will allow him to stay with her as long as he is able to pay rent, etc. But one one night, after performing at the club, Raj meets Sakina in an empty street and falls in love with her. Its only later that he realises that Sakina is in love with someone else. The movie introduces two new stars - Ranbir Raj Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor. The cast includes Rani Mukherjee, Salman Khan and Zohra Saigal.

In many ways, "Saawariya" echoes some of the RK movies such as "Barsaat", "Shree 420", "Awara" and "Anari." It also has some echoes of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's previous movies such as "Black" and "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam." While Ranbir Raj Kapoor has shown talent - naturally as he belongs to a well known filmy family and his parents being - Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, both actors themselves. But this did not seem to be the case with Sonam Kapoor, who has also shown some talent but not so much and even though she comes from a family that also is connected to the film industry - Anil Kapoor being her father, Boney Kapoor her uncle and Surendra Kapoor her grandfather.

The music by Monty Sharma is good and is worth while listening to as are the songs and especially the title song. This is not a typical Sanjay Leela Bhasali film, which would normally show some glitz, glamour and costume and Jewellery as he did in "Devdas." Nevertheless, it is worthwhile watching at least once.

For those interested, the two Kapoor families are said to be long distance relatives and at one time it is believed that Anil Kapoor and his brother were going to visit the late Raj Kapoor at his home. And Rishi Kapoor and Anil Kapoor have worked together in a film by Yash Chopra entitled "Vijay." It is believed that the "RK Studios" could once again, after many years and that Ranbir Raj Kapoor will be in the movie. In the meantime, Sonam Kapoor, has already been offered to work in another movie, this time with Abhishek Bachchan.

Good luck to the two new comers.