MovieChat Forums > Saawariya (2007) Discussion > Answers for the critics questons

Answers for the critics questons

posted 16 years ago by jaguars282002
32 replies | jump to latest

SPOILERS!! PLEASE DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY SEEN THE MOVIE!

I personally liked this movie alot. I have no bias either. I used to respect Taran Adarsh even though I did not agree with him about Swades. But now the questions he posed on Saawariya made me realize that he does not understand high class films. That makes me wonder how he understood an A-rate film like Gandhi My Father. Here are his questions and their answers:

1.Which part of the country is this straight-out-of-a-fairytale town located? And what era are we talking of?

2.Even if you subscribe to the theory that it was love at first sight for Salman and Sonam, what is it that keeps their romance going?

3.Why does Salman disappear suddenly? Besides his name, the girl knows nothing about him. Not his home/native place, work/profession/work place, relatives, nothing absolutely. It's like falling in love with a shadow, isn't it?

4.Why does Rani Mukerji abandon Ranbir, when he comes knocking on her doors and admits that he wants to spend time with her? Why does she lose her temper, although she secretly loves him?

5.And Salman returns. The sequence that follows and the culmination to the story leave you completely disgruntled and perplexed!

Answers:

1.The element of mystery and the unknown is what gave this movie its special flavor and class.

2.There romance seem to be blooming over time. I don't really subscribe to the idea that it was love at first sight between them. I got the feeling that they passed sometime together. It wasn't like Salman was only at Sonam's house for a week. Nothing I can do if Taran didn't feel that.

3.Salman dissapears because he was apparently a spy for the country and was called to duty suddenly. And he himself said I cant makeyou my weakness to Sonam which gives us the idea that he is in such a profession like spying or maybe even a terrorist. Because when somebody in that line of work is caught they go straight for his relatives, hometown,etc. So he couldn't tell Sonam anything about himself. Also SLB was showing us pure and unconditional love which doesn't think of professon or hometown.

4.Rani was displaying the spirit of sacrafice, because she wants Ranbir to get Sonam and not roam, dejected in the alleys of her prostitute neighborhood for the rest of his life. No matter how much she loves him, she holds his love in higher regard.

5.Salman's return was well shot and it can only mean that he finally got sometime off from whatever his secret profession was to come for Sonam. That's why he asks her if she can live a life of sadness with him. Which again reinforces my point of Salman's profession being something definitely out of the ordinary. Also the part that brough tears to my eyes was Ranbir "boxing" with the unhappiness of losing Sonam in the closing frame which told me to keep on fighting and that life always goes on as long as you keep on "boxing".

Some of these answers were even directly answered in the movie, while other barely require any brain power to deduce. It doesn't require an Einstein to figure them out. So tell Taran to have a good nights sleep or at least think before writing such an off-colour review.

I'm a rebel.

[–] night_kcrawler 16 years ago

loved the way you wrote. Now
I knw i wont be dissapointd by watching the movie tmorrow.

[–] HeadleyLamarr 16 years ago

And now maybe you can answer all the other critics. What about the Raja Sen review?

'A wed wose, how womantic'

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] takearide 16 years ago

Your sudden fondness for Raja Sen baffles me! Do you remember a film called KANK and how the majority of critics slammed it especially SRK's acting in it. Raja Sen called it "an exhausting watch". Would you agree with that too? You cannot pick and choose when you think a critic has got it right.
Saawariya may be many things but it is a class apart. SRK's film is nothing compared to it - it is but a momentary pleasure with no enduring qualities. It is the sort of film that best displays SRK's limited acting skills!. By the way I told you SRK's acting in Chak De required no particular effort from him. I read an interview where he said his own son said "but dad you aren't acting that's how you are anyway" or words to that effect. So there you go point made.
Chak De was a hit because of the girls and I wouldn't be at all suprised to learn one day in the future that SRK was himself suprised that it became such a big hit!
I had no real reason to speak out like this but I hate it when people like you come and slam another film just because it may be competition to your "great SRK". A buddy of your's Chocolate is My drug has said that I sometimes "unfairly criticise". I wonder what she/he thinks of your recent attack on Saawariya on this and other threads. Hypocrite!

[–] Raksha_Keller 16 years ago

OMG! I can't belive Taran asked those questions, lol, I can't believe that he acyually watched the film. All his questiosn are explained in the film. My 11 year old sister went with me and loody understood the film.This film is beautiful peeps and we have got to support it and encourage people to go and watch it and make up their own minds abut it.Stupid and negative reviews are meaning that to alot of people this film is lost.

[–] HeadleyLamarr 16 years ago

http://www.allbollywood.com/v2/bd/stc/mov/s/596.shtml
Saawariya
Average Rating: 2.35/5.0
Reviews counted: 52
Good: 15 Average: 6 Bad: 31

I think I should detest Raja Sen coz he hated KANK and perhaps even Don, right? And you can throw out Raja Sen's review along with the 31 others that called Saawariya bad! Here without picking or choosing - a smattering from non-Indian sources:

Winnipeg Sun
2.0 "...there is something flat about the film that makes it drag, badly, after the 90-minute mark"
BBC
2.0 "...a beautifully crafted bore"
NY Sun
2.0 "...falters at making the romantic tragedy sing through its pangs"
Hollywood Reporter
2.0 "...repetitive, sentimental and cliched"
Film Journal International
2.0 "...doesn't collapse but does wobble for much of its nearly 150-minute running time"

By the way I told you SRK's acting in Chak De required no particular effort from him. I read an interview where he said his own son said "but dad you aren't acting that's how you are anyway" or words to that effect. So there you go point made.

That was so immature I am surprised I am even responding! Every man or woman has a real life persona that is real to us. One presumes every actor does too. But how many can transfer that on to celluloid? We go to the cinema and when it is a serious film we expect to see real people, not marionettes with exaggerated facial contortions! Of course Chak De was a success because of the girls and now they will all go on to become huge actresses and stars!

Saawariya is no competition to anything. SLB is on every TV show slamming all critics - maybe he can send out hit men next. And he is running so scared he dropped Salman and signed up the Bachchan trio for Bajirao Mastani!!

noleaning - I know you are a Rani fan so Saawariya is a must defend but do not contradict yourself. Is SRK at his finest only in films with Rani? This is what you said on the KANK board!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449999/board/thread/59009574?d=82230701#8 2230701
In my opinion KANK is one of SRK's finest films. Apart from a few of his films I only watch his films simply because he is in it. In Kank he performed his character with such raw intensity that for once I actually believed he was Dev.

Whenever I have praised KANK on any web-site I have been met with such hostility that I have been left wondering why?

I think it is because it scares the hell out of people. They cannot accept that two people like Maya and Dev,on the surface very respectable and decent, could actually throw away all conventional behaviour and embark on a course which gives them pleasure and satisfaction in life. Scary is it not that if they can do it anybody can. This is the crux of the problem.Which brings me to my point. Those people who say SRK has sunk to new levels of mediocraty with KANK are blinded by their fear of the subject matter than by anything lacking in his performance. He performed brilliantly for someone who in real life is, as far as we know, a faithful husband and father.

For me Rani is a fine actress who has an innate talent that can shine if guided well or even left alone - and even when misguided (as in Black) she can still rise above that to show us what she is capable of.

'A wed wose, how womantic'

[–] takearide 16 years ago

And you are so mature? So mature that you come on the Saawariya board to continually pan it. Why? You don't like SLB or the movies he makes! What can your intention be?
OSO and SRK's acting did recieve some bad reviews but I don't see you plastering them on the OSO board. In fact from what I've read Deepika has had much better comments made about her than SRK.
No, you are not supposed to "detest" Raja Sen because he lambasted KANK or Don but if he had given a negative review for OSO I doubt if you would have posted it.
Chak De was a fluke and nobody knows it better than SRK. WE expect to see believable acting not the actor himself or over-the-top acting!
If Saawariya is "no competition to anything" your verbal assault on it makes YOU IMMATURE AND PATHETIC. HOW SOME PEOPLE FOOL THEMSELVES and you are one of the best examples. Pretending to be saner than most on these boards but just someone with A SCORE TO SETTLE.

[–] HeadleyLamarr 16 years ago

Ouch - hurts to see your own words out there does it? How quickly one goes from finest acting to non-acting, and all because of the absence of one thing - Rani!!

'A wed wose, how womantic'

[–] takearide 16 years ago

I was not going to answer but I didn't want you to think I was scared or had nothing to say in reply. My liking SRK has nothing to do with Rani. But since you have no defence left you have to clutch at straws. To use your own words "how mature". You have exposed yourself as a small-minded idiot who resorts to "hitting below the belt" for want of better arguement.
Yes in KANK SRK has given one of his best performances in my opinion along with some other movies I have mentioned on his board but If I have said He has acted very well it is in comparison to no one else but himself (given he's limitations). I never liked SRK just for his acting. Otherwise I would be like you - blind and brainless.
My gripe with SRK is to do with he's utter desperation and in his resort to anything to big-up his movie. I liked him, with all his faults as an actor, way before Rani even came on the acting scene. KHKN remains my all time favourite movie of his, although my memory is now blurred because of his recent fall in my eyes. I can't see him in the same light.
Also for your information I had no reason to defend Saawariya. I just hated the way you attacked it. It is not my habit to prowl the boards of other actors, looking for things to criticise. I only praise, and of course it will be of those I like. I criticise those who attack my favourite actor Rani because they use abusive language. Otherwise it's a free world - we don't all have to like the same things and the same people! Constructive criticism adds and does not detract. But perhaps you like it when they call her short, fat, dark and ugly. May be you secretly agree. But that is not contructive criticism. To me that is the same as when someone calls me a "paki" - which I'm not. I hate it!
You are just a "silly little girl" trying to pull of the I'm so wise and objective title. But you are not! Now I've had enough of you, so if you reply don't think I have no answer to it. I have gone as far as I think you deserve. Your mask has slipped - that is good enough for me.

[–] HeadleyLamarr 16 years ago

noleaning - here is what I said about Rani. What part of it do you not understand?
For me Rani is a fine actress who has an innate talent that can shine if guided well or even left alone - and even when misguided (as in Black) she can still rise above that to show us what she is capable of.

You might go to ICB and see what is being said about Saawariya there too - I am sure they are all blind attackers - you will find many whom you can hate and bad mouth there too. And do not forget the 20 odd critics, and all the people who reportedly left the film midway - mindless silly little girls all of them.

BTW - what you said about SRK in KANK I agree with, so do not go being all immature now. And I fail to see what he did between KANK and CDI to earn such contempt for his acting!!

'A wed wose, how womantic'

[–] Chrysanthepop 16 years ago

lol, this is something. i think you have sraniji confused with sherazade who'd attack anyone to make her divine aishwarya go up. sraniji never said anything bad about rani except that she didn't like her acting in black.

now what r the two of u arguing about? u pretty much agree on the same stuff.

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[–] takearide 16 years ago

It is this very tone and air of superiority in your second sentence that irritates the hell out of me. Abuse me, call me names but don't patronize me.
Whether I like Rani or even SRK, whether Saawariya is a crap film and a flop, whether OSO is a master-piece, entertainer and a blockbuster, these are all questions which are incidental to my arguement with you.
My gripe with you is on this question of SLB and plagiarization. By all means have a view on the issue - you don't like it - but don't bull-doze other people with your views. If you look back on the two threads which cover this issue perhaps with integrity you might agree. You have used a metaphorical sledge-hammer to ram the point home . If your point was without malice I might have not bothered defending SLB but it seems you have a personal vedetta against him!
95% of movies follow a tried and tested formula and many many others are plagiarized. This does not make it right but that is the way of the world. Why single out and punish SLB so severely on it. Of course we would all like innovative and fresh cinema but the majority of film-makers are without vision. They are scared to get it wrong, they follow the trend. The trend right now is comedy. You and I might not like it but it is their choice to make. Some people dont mind seeing old ideas presented in a new and novel way. Whether they are successful or not IS not the point. One should applaud the effort and if one doesn't than one must accept that it is not, barring the critics, the case for everybody.

[–] HeadleyLamarr 16 years ago

noleaning - my gripe with SLB is exactly on the subject of plagiarism. He is not a David Dhawan, Sajid Khan or Priyadarshan - he is not a hack in Hindi cinema. Those people recycle HW plots like there is no tomorrow. I have contempt for such low level cinema - my recent viewings of Bull Bullaiya, Heyy Baby etc. tell me that it is easy for these people to steal someone else's formula and then claim that they are making original cinema.

Some people dont mind seeing old ideas presented in a new and novel way.

In an older and not globalized world this might have been true, but any one who comes on these boards has access to the originals. There were threats by Sony that they would sue Partner for plagiarism, I wish they had! Have we lost all originality? How will films like Johnny Gaddaar, Manorama succeed when there is tripe being fed to folks?

Then we get a quality film-maker like Bhansali and he does the same. Of course adapting White Nights is a fine and brave idea, kudos to him for that. But when Saawariya departs from the WN story and matches an older adaptation - has characters , events and settings that came out of that adaptation and are a departure from the book, then what can one say? Having read WN and seen LNB I can only say to Mr. Bhansali - true art is original art, it is not a xeroxed job.

Many many directors copy, no doubt about that. Now if the idea is that there is nothing unique or superior in Mr. Bhansali to raise him above the crowd of mediocre hack film-makers, what is the fuss all about?

'A wed wose, how womantic'

[–] takearide 16 years ago

Whether it is adapted from White Nights or from LNB or from a mixture of both, that is still SLB's choice to make. Your choice comes in when you decide to see it or not and to condemn it or not.
The critics have had their say and so have you. Don't attempt to verbally lynch poor SLB for failing to live up to your very very high standards. Some people are not that difficult to please - and that includes me! But you don't have the right to make a judgement on our mental capabilities for enjoying what we do and what you clearly have not!
Don't make Mr. SLB the scape-goat for the failure of movies like Manorama or Johnny Gadder. They may well have been very good films and originals to boot but it's not SLB's fault they did not succeed. I think you need to accept that the Indian audience will always prefer their song, dance and inane comedy over serious or "different cinema". If on occasions a RDB, Dor ( I can't think of any others at the moment) hit the bulls-eye than they are very real exeptions and not the rule.

[–] HeadleyLamarr 16 years ago

noleaning - if you are in school or college then I am sure your approach toward plagiarism is different when it comes to work in that sphere.

I know some have loved Saawariya - I can tell from the passionate debate. All I say is that Mr. Bhanslai loses the right to be called a director of exacting and high standards when he plagiarizes, but he certainly does it beautifully. As for his right - no one has the right to steal, but oh well, so many do it.

To your different cinema list I would add CDI. It is path-breaking in the level of success for the lack of popular content.

'A wed wose, how womantic'

[–] takearide 16 years ago

I have not seen Saawariya and if I do I may or may not like it - that remains to be seen. I was arguing on a point of principle - the freedom to choose in all it's different forms as long as it does not endanger life or create physical conflict. The morality of the choices we make are for our own individual consciences.

[–] HeadleyLamarr 16 years ago

But stealing from someone without giving them due credit (and money) amounts to illegality and goes beyond morality. Presidents have been impeached, candidates have fallen for plagiarizing speeches. In any academic endeavor plagiarism is the kiss of death to a career.

Anyway - noleaning, I doubt we will agree on anything here except for the fact that we both like a certain petite Ms. Mukherjee. Let us leave it at that and on an amicable note.

'A wed wose, how womantic'

[–] takearide 16 years ago

Amen to that!

[–] Chrysanthepop 16 years ago

lol, don't mean to restart the war but neither bhansali nor any director has the right to steal someone else's work, remake them WITHOUT giving the original source credit AND ask permission. imo saawaiya is a ripoff.

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[–] takearide 16 years ago

With respect if someone has done that then the necessary people should sue.

[–] HeadleyLamarr 16 years ago

Visconti is long gone, and who in the Italian film industry related to him would see Saawariya or care enough to slap a lawsuit on Bhnsali?

'A wed wose, how womantic'

[–] takearide 16 years ago

Look do you really want to get in to this again? Let whoever wants to sue SLB - I don't care. But if the requisite people started suing, Bollywood will sink. I have no problem with that either!
Why do you always come back to SLB SRani. There are many many many other people to choose from and not only from the kind you despise. Chill, I get it you hate SLB.

[–] Chrysanthepop 16 years ago

but why should we focus on other directors, if this is the saawariya board?

and these many many many other people who plagiarize are also discussed in the indian cinema board.

also the difference between bhansali and these many many many others is that those others don't brag about their films being a work of art, or among the best films and nor do these others degrade other filmmakers.

anyway, u obviously disagree so i'll just stop here. :)

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[–] takearide 16 years ago

Forgot to mention that I never said I didn't like CDI, I loved it. I just couldn't rave about SRK's acting because I did not feel it required any special effort from him.

I don't have a problem with his acting, I have always loved SRK more for his personality than his acting anyway. It is his behaviour prior to the release of OSO that has put a dampner on things as far as I am concerned. May given time I might get over it.

[–] future-author 16 years ago

Thanks so much for this review. I am so glad you pointed these out. Some people needs to think outside the box and they need to read you review for common sense. Bhansali's movies always shows love at its purest forms.

[–] aally_v 16 years ago

I was dissapointed with the movie, the visuals were stunning, Ranbir was fantastic, hes a special talent, the movie was fairly engaging but lacked soul, apart from devdas ive cried in every bhansali film, he has the ability to realy involve the audience, sadly this time he seems to have gone for style over substance

this has got to be his weakest work.

6/10

[–] calonclick 16 years ago

All words and no substance pretty much like Saawariyas sets.
So i hear. I will watch the movie and let you know. I reserve my comments till then.

[–] NibbleME 16 years ago

jaguars282002: Well said!

[–] bhabani-das 16 years ago

explained beautifully.
To be fair i didnt like saawariya that much.
But it way too better than oso.

[–] calonclick 16 years ago

Taran Adarsh gave 2 stars to CDI, he doesnt even qualify to be a critic! Moron! I will hate him forever!

[–] math_wiz_007 16 years ago

VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER ANSWERS!! I totally agree with you for all of them. The end made me cry too...the boxing and OMG the Doli mein bithaake, sitaaron se sajaake..in the slow/sad version at the end...I was in tears. I LOVED the movie. It was soo good. Whoever this Taran dude is...hez a complete IDIOT...this movie is definitely a classic

[–] Mike1388 14 years ago

Its not just Taran Adarsh dude, check other Hollywood critics too like New York Post, Variety, Hollywood reporters, etc. I never watch Bollywood movie, so this interest me to watch. No way to say Saawariya is a bad movie, but its not a great movie either. The character development is weak, no twist, story direction is poor, ranbir and sonam is good not great. SLB is a good director but Devdas was his last great movie. The visual and music was the only good thing here. cheers!