Swades (स्वदेश)(Hindi, 2004)

Had gone in with mixed expectations.

What I knew before the movie - Shahrukh Khan in a role which is neither lovey-dovey like DDLJ nor intense like Darr. Ashutosh Gowariker's second movie, with the expectations set by Lagaan to meet. A story which is modern but hackneyed. Good Songs. A new heroine.

What I know after the movie - Shahrukh Khan can act in subdued roles also. Lagaan was Lagaan, no comparison. Ashutosh Gowariker IS a good director. The story IS hackneyed. Songs ARE good, if you like poetry. The new heroine is good enough if you are talking just about looks, don't even start talking about acting talent. If you want to see this movie, see it as a study of stereotypes. See it if you are interested in a collection of characters like I-am-an-Indian-girl-in-India-and-anyone-who-does-not-leave-cities-and-stay-in-villages-is-a-good-for-nothing or I-am-an-Indian-villager-and-proud-of-our-cultural-heritage-and-will-oppose-anything-just-for-the-sake-of-opposing and I-am-of-lower-caste-and-must-wait-for-a-Brahmin-to-uplift-me and so on. See it as an art movie. See it for moments like the beautiful choreography of the lead pair's eyes in the dhoti wearing scene. Ignore the messages the movie is trying to convey if you think they are shallow or they make you think you are shallow. Ignore if you feel some people are overacting. Ignore if you think the movie is too long and putting you to sleep. Ignore if you don't see any logic in the actions happening on the screen. It's not about logic, or messages, or pure-fun-cinema. Its about..... I don't know.

Have come out with mixed feelings.

In Summary, the movie begins well, and then fizzles out.

Recommendation: Worth seeing once, but can wait for the video release.
Rating - ✔✔✔