Finding Neverland!. Review on Swades

    Swades (My Country) is a very intriguing term.The prefixation of ''My'' adds a whole new meaning to it-A sense of belonging,pride and love for one's country.Although I am a misfit to this school of thought (I believe a world without boundaries allowing me a status of a global citizen would be an ideal place),the name is apt for the movie,for it focuses on India and its complex issues.

    Needless to say, its a must watch for everyone, even those who allow themselves the luxury of one movie a dacade.I would not exagerate about the script,screenplay and direction of the movie but if there were any authentic Indian Oscars,I would expect this movie to make a clean sweep.Unfortunately, in India everything including Filmfare Awards can be ''bought'' which is why this movie didn't win-such an irony, the film suffered what it revealed.

    Its a pity we need a movie to be reminded of the ground realities when we experience them everyday and everywhere across India ,only if we cared to give a second look!The movie highlights the biggest cause of failure-Passing the buck.

    We keep cribbing about whats not good and what needs to be improved and how,the government is letting us down and that we are all so corrupt but we never care to experiment with what we can do to make our life better,richer and more comfortable.

    In an ideal world, self suffciency is the best way to exist,but in a practical world,its not easy.Lighting a bulb is one thing,electrifying 1000s of villages across India cost effectively,without corruption,ensuring there are no power thefts,exploring and implementing suitable sources of power generation and maintenance of the infrastructure is quite another!I am not sure if little contributions do make a difference but I am pretty confident in suggesting that attitudes make a difference. We lack constructive attitude, we lack the will and we don't trust our government.I don't.

    There is one scene which summarizes the whole movie-A kid on a railway station begging people to buy drinking water in a pottered cup for 25 new paise!Thats 0.6 cents-An unimaginable denomination of forex currency (at a time when we have Forex reserves of $150 Billion+)!-which also includes the cost of the mug.Note that the kid prefers a job of this stature to just begging on the streets.He is less than 10 years old.It is the most painful scene I have come across in Hindi cinema.

    What is keeping us from not thinking about it, and then givingup eveything to work towards helping humans exist.I don't know.I wouldn't leave NASA and come back and if I would,then in a few days I would join Vikram Sarabhai Nuclear research centre and forget about that kid on the station (as would Shah Rukh Khan according to his narrative plans in the movie!).

    Shah Rukh Khan is brilliant and plays the character for a change rather than himself.I don't see any other Indian/American actor doing more justice to this role.I admire his conviction to try out different kinds of roles,thats the only way for an actor to reinvent himself. Gaytri Joshi is quite convincing for a debutant.Notice the thoughtfully crafted character profiles of the postman and Melaram-the tiffin man: Picture Perfect

    The only unconvincing part about the movie is that its not realistic but thats not something it can be blamed for.It was made with an intention to make people think twice before rubbishing Indian life and for those few who saw the movie,it served its purpose.

    I also like the music.It smells of a journey-a journey which the character makes,a journey which the viewer makes and a journey which Indian subcontinent is making.

    We might not be able to make a significant difference with our individual effort but doing our part will make us feel good about the journey,atleast we honestly paid for it!