Swades - We, The People [2004]
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • wrong actor
  • A n authentic picture of an NRI dilemma
  • Superb Performance - worth watching
  • Good Movie
  • One for the NRIs
Swades - We, The People [2004]
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan , Gayatri Joshi , Master Smit Sheth , and Kishori Ballal
Director: Ashotosh Gowariker
Manufacturer: Tip Top Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

All Drama All Drama | Drama | Categories | DVD | Video
Musicals Musicals | Classics | Categories | DVD | Video
Classic Classic | Musicals & Stage Performances | Musicals & Classical | Categories | DVD | Video
Film Musicals Film Musicals | Musicals & Stage Performances | Musicals & Classical | Categories | DVD | Video
Indian Indian | World Cinema | Categories | DVD | Video | Bollywood
DVD DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. Paheli [2005] Paheli [2005]
  2. Veer Zaara [2004] Veer Zaara [2004]
  3. Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani
  4. Yes Boss [1997] Yes Boss [1997]
  5. Chalte Chalte [2003] Chalte Chalte [2003]

ASIN: B00078JZ74
Release Date: 2005-02-14
Swades - We, The People [2004]

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars wrong actor.......2007-05-19

Shah Rukh Khan was the third choice for this film and it shows at times, first choice was amir khan but Mangal Pandey came to close to the schedule for this and we were robbed of the best actor in Bollywood doing a very good story. the second choice was Hirthik Roshan. Shah Rukh Khan's problem well its not his problem, is that we are to used to seeing him doing love triangle films that when he does do rare film where he might just dirty is clothes he becomes lost like child in a store. and that condems the story, he really is not up to movies like this.shame. the stars are for the story and the rest of the cast.Shah Rukh Khan stick to karan johar.

4 out of 5 stars A n authentic picture of an NRI dilemma .......2007-02-21

This is a story of an Indian man called Mohan Bhargava (played by Shahrukh Khan) who has made it good in the USA, as a scientist working on a geophysical project for NASA. He has also been granted citizenship in the USA. On the way home with a friend, after addressing a press conference of the research findings of his group, he confesses his longing for his roots in the land of his birth. Especially does he miss his erstwhile nurse whom he calls Kaveriamma, who took very good care of him, even better than his parents, who had died earlier in a car crash. He is advised to take a holiday to India and return to the USA with her in tow.

He leaves at once for India, but finds that Kaveriamma has returned to her native village. He makes his way there, in a borrowed caravan and is welcomed by Kaveriamma with open arms. She is, at the time, guardian to a young girl of marriageable age called Gita (played by newcomer Gayatri Joshi) and her brother. The children have been orphaned and the girl works as a teacher in the local school. Mohan gets quickly accepted by the tightly knit village community, not only because of his budding romance with Gita, but also for his open and outgoing nature. He gets to go to the village panchayat (meeting of the village heads with the common folk) and makes a very positive impression, while also raising eyebrows, because of ignoring caste restrictions and intermingling with all and sundry while initiating the development of basic infrastructure, such as an electricity generator and better schooling for the children in the village. By this time, his increasing involvement in the village affairs, has resulted in his extending his intended period of stay by several weeks. His boss requires that he return immediately and reluctantly, he does so. But the call of his country is too much for him and he returns to the village to work for its upliftment.

The performances of the actors, especially the lead role played by SRK lends strong credibility to the film, despite its relatively thin storyline. Those of us who live abroad can truly identify with his dilemma. It is truly an agonizing choice that we face, of returning to help further the welfare of our loved ones at home, or to stay on in the land of milk and honey and cater to our professional ambitions. One derives vicarious satisfaction from Mohan's return to his roots and attending to the well-being of his own kind, and giving them the benefit of his broad based technical knowhow, derived from years of training abroad.

As mentioned earlier, the role of Mohan is well tailored to King Khan's personality. Hé comes out as a sensitive, gentle, softspoken person with a great sense of humour and motivated by strong ideals and deep perceptions. In the service rendered by him to the villagers, he finds a sense of identity, he did not have before. Watching the movie, especially as an NRI; one shares in the suspense and the excitement of the discovery of this identity, and also in its fulfillment. This would hold, even though our own decision, if placed in the same situation, would be quite different.

All in all, this is a movie one does not easily forget. A must see, especially for NRIs.

5 out of 5 stars Superb Performance - worth watching.......2006-06-03

This movie is very timely and articulates the inner turmoil within individuals away from 'home'. The story engages the viewer to answer some deeply buried issues about identity, about the self, about what is important in life. It also highlights the good & the bad aspects of the 'eastern way of living' as opposed to the western values. It is heartening to see great supporting performances that could've been overshadowed by the Shahrukh Khan's screen presence and trade mark performace. Gayatri Joshi brings a certain freshness that warms the spirit. All in all an extremely good movie by Ashutosh Gowarikar backed up by some great music by A. R. Rehman. If you like this movie, also consider Dil Chahta Hai, Lagaan, Sarfarosh, Baghbaan, Khakhee, Rang De Basanti, Virasat, Salaam Namaste, Hum Tum, Veer-Zara, Black, Ashoka and Ghulam. Hope that helps.

5 out of 5 stars Good Movie.......2006-01-05

Good performance from all the stars and a brilliant score by A.R.Rahman. Like the other reviewers I had a feeling if it was aimed at NRIs as it kinda pokes u with a sudden remembrance of home and all the good things about it. The film really has moments where it really touches u...like the train scene where Shah Rukh Khan buys water from the little boy. Definitely worth the buy.

4 out of 5 stars One for the NRIs.......2005-09-06

I really enjoyed this movie - SRK's acting is great, and there are some typically enjoyable, moving and schmaltzy Bollywood scenes that will keep you feeling sentimental throughout. "Village India" looks like a small paradise throughout, however, and I suspect that this movie is aimed at the NRI, ex-pat Indian audiences, who probably go through the same feelings that the main character does when thinking about leaving life in the West, and coming 'home'. The messages are mixed, though, and the biggest question seems to be not the differences between NRIs and Indians in India, but the differences of caste, class and financial status that exists in Indian communities. There is some beautiful photography in this film as well. I recommend it.

Country Dancing Intermediate with Teresa Mason [2001] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Country Dancing Intermediate with Teresa Mason [2001] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
    Starring: Teresa Mason
    Manufacturer: Kultur Video
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

    Musicals Musicals | Classics | Categories | DVD | Video
    Classic Classic | Musicals & Stage Performances | Musicals & Classical | Categories | DVD | Video
    Film Musicals Film Musicals | Musicals & Stage Performances | Musicals & Classical | Categories | DVD | Video
    Country Country | Music DVDs | Categories | DVD | Video
    Instructional Instructional | Music DVDs | Categories | DVD | Video
    Instructional Instructional | Documentary | Categories | DVD | Video
    DVD DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
    ASIN: B000KN7C1C
    Release Date: 2007-01-30
    Country Dancing Intermediate with Teresa Mason [2001] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

    A Toda Maquina [1951] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      A Toda Maquina [1951] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
      Starring: Pedro Infante , Luis Aguilar , Aurora Segura , Alma Delia Fuentes , and Delorice Archer
      Director: Ismael Rodríguez
      Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
      ProductGroup: DVD
      Binding: DVD

      All Comedy All Comedy | Comedy | Categories | DVD | Video
      Spanish Spanish | World Cinema | Categories | DVD | Video
      Comedy Comedy | Classics | Categories | DVD | Video
      Musicals Musicals | Classics | Categories | DVD | Video
      Classic Classic | Musicals & Stage Performances | Musicals & Classical | Categories | DVD | Video
      Film Musicals Film Musicals | Musicals & Stage Performances | Musicals & Classical | Categories | DVD | Video
      Region 1 Region 1 | Special Features | DVD | Video
      DVD DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
      ASIN: B000SULWKE
      Release Date: 2007-09-18
      A Toda Maquina [1951] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

      DVD Review:

      1. Terry Bozzio and Chad Wackerman: Duets, Vol. 2 [2005]
      2. That'll be the Day [1973] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
      3. The 4th Tenor [2002] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
      4. The Band Wagon [1953] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
      5. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas [1982] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
      6. The Best of Broadway Musicals: Original Cast Perfomances From the Ed Sullivan Show (NTSC)
      7. The Big Sombrero [1949] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
      8. The Boys Next Door [1985] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
      9. The Commitments [1991] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
      10. The Definitive Elvis

      DVD Review List

      DVD Review