Pardes

Whatever anyone may say about Subhash Ghai's 'Pardes', I personally found it very entertaining, engaging and charming. The film may be quite stereotypical, and yes, the portrayal of the US may have been amusingly flawed, but the film's issue is in my opinion dealt with quite well within the context of a Hindi film of its sort. Besides that, the story is quite lovely and the film is according to me believable and moving due to the performances, the music and its overall feel. It essentially works as charming romance and nothing else.

The film is about a young Indian girl named Ganga who lives in a rural village in India with her extended family. Her father's best friend, Kisohrilal, who's been living in the US for over 20 years, comes to visit them. Kishorilal is immediately charmed by Ganga and wants her to marry his young son Rajiv. Ganga's father agrees to the proposal and soon comes Arjun, Kishorilal's faithful nephew, who is also a good friend of Rajiv, to organise the engagement before Rajiv, who's never been to India, comes to see his bride. Arjun and Ganga befriend each other, but the real trouble starts when Ganga is taken to LA to live with Kishorilal's huge NRI family before marriage. The social, cultural and economical gaps rise, and Ganga finds herself lonely in a world which is very distinct from hers, where no one except for Arjun seems to understand her. There also starts the realisation that Ganga and Arjun are actually in love.

The film is according to me beautifully narrated and Subhash Ghai's direction is very good. Technically the film might have been better as the cinematography was not that good. I did not see 'Pardes' as a social film or anything of that sort, but more as a romantic drama, and in that genre it was absolutely enjoyable. I don't think Ghai tried to show NRIs in a bad light, because such differences and difficulties are to be expected in any kind of transition from one country to another, particularly when moving from a conservative and traditionalistic society like that of India to a liberal country like the USA. There were many great and touching moments in the film, my favourite being when Ganga talks to her father in India on the phone and feels very lonely and sad. The romance between Shahrukh Khan and Mahima was very well portrayed and the two had a wonderful chemistry.

Those discussing Shahrukh Khan's best performances often seem to overlook his work in Pardes, but this is according to me one of the finest performances of his career. As Arjun, he is kindhearted, and atypically subdued, sensitive and extremely vulnerable. Khan plays his role with restraint, depth and sincerity he rarely employs. The film's brightest spot for me is the gorgeous Mahima Chaudhary, whose stunning, almost angelic beauty is a true heavenly creation. She is not only one of the most beautiful actresses to have graced the Indian screen (or any screen as far as I'm concerned), she is also a talented actress. Her smile lightens up the screen, and she is so compelling, moving and charming as the smart, sensible and no-nonsense Ganga that there seems nothing easier than to fall in love with her. This is a marvelous performance and easily one of the most promising debuts by an actress in Hindi cinema; why she did not go on to reach any particular heights in her career is still mystifying.

Among other members of the cast, another newcomer, Aproova Agnihotri, who plays Rajiv, fails to impress here and it was not a good idea to start a career playing an unsympathetic character. Amrish Puri is outstanding as Kishorilal, and the rest of the cast provide good support. Nadeem-Shravan's soundtrack includes some very melodious tracks. I liked Kavita Krishnamurthy's rendition of "I Love My India". This film also marks the breakthrough of Sonu Nigam, who became a star with the song "Dil Deewana". A soulful, melancholic and very romantic song called "Zara Tasveer Se Tu (Meri Mehbooba)" was beautifully sung by Alka Yagnik and Kumar Sanu. To sum it up, Pardes is a wonderful romantic drama and that is the reason it was appreciated upon release. I recommend Pardes, for its story, music and superb star cast, particularly Khan and Mahima.

Pardes is very long and a touch predictable. Still, it's not a bad watch and could have been a good film with better editing. Shahrukh gives an uncharacteristically restrained performance, although he does go over the top towards the end. Mahima is charming but overdoes the cuteness. Amrish Puri is solid as usual. Apoorva Agnihotri is weak. The songs are great. I specially liked the gentle "Do Dil Mil Rahen Hain". The film goes overboard in its depiction of NRIs and I can understand why some reviewers hate it. The patriotism on display could have been toned down. Still watchable on TV/DVD.

Overall 6/10

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.

I watched Pardes about 3 days ago. It was midnight and I had no wish to see a movie which was three hours long. I was going to only see about the first 30 minutes of it but this movie was so good that I watched it all the way through.

Many reviewers have said that this film is 'Anti-American' propaganda and 'stereotypes' NRIs. As an NRI myself, I must greatly DISAGREE with conclusions like these. This movie is nothing short of a masterpiece.

The exaggerations of Indian morals and of western vices are done for a reason, and a very good reason at that. The director shows the audience the best of India and the worst of America to make the viewer appreciate the Indian culture our parents try to impart to us. Granted, there are some lines that the American 'bad son' (Rajiv) says which are ridiculous and comical, such as:

---------------------------------------------------------------- Paul: We are going to India? To fight? Rajiv: Yes. Paul: But that is not right. Rajiv: Why? Paul: We are not bad people Rajiv, we are good Indians. Rajiv: (While shaking his head) But I am bad, Paul! -----------------------------------------------------------------

In all candor, I don't know of any Americans who speak like this (or of any other human beings for that matter). The movie has hyperbole like this throughout it. However, let us put all the cards on the table at this point.....

I know for a fact that many NRIs look upon their homeland with disdain. They won't even visit it, much less want to stay there. But guess what? This movie isn't aimed at that audience. It is aimed at Indians who have not forgotten that without the culture imparted by their motherland, they would never be as successful, nor have the extended families we take for granted. Basically, if you're an ABCD or an NRI with little attachment to India, you won't enjoy this movie, probably because many immigrants adopt the ways of the denizens (just human nature to do so I suppose).

Lastly: I'm going to be starting medical school next year and I'll definitely be taking this movie with me. If I should forget who I am......what I am.....I know that I can watch this film and remember. A Hindustani.