kaminnisreeram

What happens when a sincere director transforms a block buster star into a actor ? Result is Swades. In 1974, we'd "Roti, Kapda, Makaan" by Manoj Kumar and thirty years later we got Swades that showed that root level problems have increased manifold. Mohan's character is torn between his ultra luxurious life in a developed country v/s his place of birth that's dragging feet over decades of underdevelopment, poverty, illiteracy, corruption, discrimination against caste and religion.

One of the best films to come out of YRF banner. 90s generation will identify with that setting, those songs, magic of Kumar Sanu. Anu Malik has dn a fab job with music. Varun Grover's first National award 🥇 for Moh moh ke dhaagey. Full marks to Bhoomi & Ayushmann for breathing life into their characters. Such a strong supporting cast - Sanjay Mishra, Sheeba Chaddha, Seema Pahwa, Alka Amin. This film bot Ayushmann back from doldrums. Watch it for beautiful performances n a simple storyline that deals with complexities of self doubt and finding love.

There're stars, then there're actors. There're cliched Bollywood potboilers, then there're solid stories, scripts. There're "celebrated" directors who recycle the same wine, then there're those who push the envelopes. Irrfan, this film and Tighmanshu Dhulia fall in second category. Kudos to team for standing up against all odds n saying a story that would have stayed dead, had it not been for their guts n conviction. Films like Pan Singh & Wasseypur released within a gap of just two years n these films proved game changers for its creators by opening up a whole new viewership. Irrfan is phenomenal in this film. He owns every frame, bites n chews each scene. Well deserved National award n Padmashri for our dear departed actor. So long, Sir ! RIP dear Irrfan.