Oh Saawariya....

[dangermousie]

Just got back from Saawariya. (see tag for summary and pics of this)

Oh. I have so much meta. The last time a Bollywood movie engaged me so much was Eklavya. Oh. The funny thing is, I can understand why some people loathed it. It just none of those reasons matter to me, whatsoever. Saawariya is pure, distilled Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Concentrated.

Comments

[thelana]

But even if Salman is the dream here... wouldn't it be more like that the strong silent type (like Ajay in HDDCS) gets the girl and the artistic, quirky, heart on his sleeve guy again is left in the dust? Almost like that is how it's meant to be?

Makes me think that SLB just doesn't like happy endings.

[dangermousie]

SLBadmitted in an interview that he doesn't happy endings to love stories. I think the only unreservedly happy ending to a lovestory of his was Khamoshi and that to probably was only because it was more a movie about parents and children.

And the heart-on-sleeve guy left in the dust, yup yet again. I think the author-backed character will always lose in SLB. I wonder how much of it is n autobiographical view, as his movies, IMO, are always very personal, and I think Raj is just as much an extension of SLB persona (so to speak) as Sameer was.

[thelana]

I think the author-backed character will always lose in SLB. I wonder how much of it is n autobiographical view, as his movies,

Yeah, I'm curious about that as well (especially since the Ranbir towel song sent people speculating into the gay direction again).

Sounds like I really have to watch Khamoshi!

I don't think that the quirky guy not getting her was that much of problem for me though this time. Kinda, he's an artist. It will just fuel his future inspiration. Kinda like in the opera Tales of Hoffman (where all his relationships end horribly and in the end the muse of poetry appears to him and tells him that it's his job to live life to the fullest, but only serve the muse).

At least in this movie I had a easier time picturing him finding some similar love/infatuation again than I did with Sameer, with him I bought that he really was deeply hurt by it, even if he'll continue on with a brave face.

[dangermousie]

True, in Saawariya, Raj had only known Sakina for four days, and it was never requited. I do think he will get over what was essentially an infatuation, one of those things you get when very young and you think you will die and never get over, but do

[nekobot01]

Ranbir - towel = excellent? I may have to see this!!

I'm glad Rani redeemed herself acting-wise after LCMD.

[dangermousie]

Rani was wonderful in this, and it's a rather untraditional role. Still, I hope in her next movie she is not a hooker. :) She looked gorgeous, btw...

Ranbir was awesome, even without the towel-dropping and the body (both of which were most EXCELLENT, btw). He is like a more human looking Hrithik :)

Except now I want to see another SLB movie pronto and it will take some time again. Argh. And also I am dying for Bajirao Mastani which will never be made. Dammit.

[nekobot01]

We could always re-watch Devdas!!

I hope Ranbir gets some good roles after this.

PS I ordered that book on the Kapoors that you were talking about.

[dangermousie]

We should so rewatch Devdas, but only if I stock up on cleenex first!

[wasabi_girl1]

YAY! Other people are finally seeing this movie, and I no longer feel alone in my love for it! :D

I personally didn't think it was a "sad" ending, because Sakina was in love with Imaan, pure and simple. She never thought of Raj as more than a friend, but Raj didn't quite understand that.

I know you really liked Ranbir, but I'm all hung-up on Sonam. I don't know why. Something about her just "clicked" for me. :)

[dangermousie]

I agree, it wasn't 'sad' as it's true, Sakina only loved Imaan. It was bittersweet though, as we (or at least I) loved and felt for Raj.

Re: Sonam. I agree, she is amazing. I didn't talk about her as much but I should have. She was so beautiful, so larger-than-life, so mysterious.

I beg to differ

[annous]

I am glad you liked GB, because I couldn't stand this movie, I thought with previous SLB movies, there was at least a story to hold the music and the visuals together, not this time, I found the emotions little fake,and the movie dragged.
Ranbir has a great potential, but I was angry at how SLB represented Sonam, he really butchered her character and the way he presented her.

but...this was your most anticipated movie, so I am happy that it didn't disappoint you, because a lot of people who were looking forward to it were let down by the lack of substance.

I have to clarify that I am not a fan of SLB, I can't stand HDDCS, and found Devdas tolerable, so I am not enamored with SLB film making style at all.

Re: I beg to differ

[dangermousie]

but...this was your most anticipated movie, so I am happy that it didn't disappoint you, because a lot of people who were looking forward to it were let down by the lack of substance.

This would indeed be horrid. I remember how disapointed I felt with Umrao Jaan, after all my anticipation.