‘Guzarish’ has the quintessential class of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. It also marks the return of the filmmaker after the obvious debacle of ‘Saawariya’ (I know he terms it as his most valuable work till date). Even before I begin, I would like to conclude: if ‘Black’ gave the much needed impetus to the credentials of SLB, then ‘Guzarish’ catapults him to the elite ranks of ‘Numero Uno’ status in our country.
The life of a quadriplegic is summed up in a painful yet supremely exquisite fashion with sumptuous quantity of humane content. ‘Guzarish’ is not depressing; it augurs the inevitability of life with a positive fragrance that becomes the influx of this film with dramatic proportions. ‘Guzarish’ does not promote Euthenasia, it visibly states the agony and excruciating life (cannot be termed as pain since he doesn’t or cannot feel anything) of Ethan from the sole perspective of him being alive with the fact that he would never live his life on his own terms. ‘Guzarish’ clubs intensity with human emotions and judiciary indulgence at the expense of atrocity that Ethan has been a part of for the last 14 years.
His life is a quadrangular affair with Sophia (played emphatically by Aishwarya Rai) complimenting his life with roles of a friend, lover and wife, his best friend who loves him but detests his pain to forego the annals of the lawful system and his doctor, whose sole achievement in terms of sharing, perseverance and hope is Ethan. Yet, Ethan decides to call it quits after 14 years of vegetable-ism. Notwithstanding, his ‘Radio Zindagi’ is an outright success due to his phenomenal approach to life and inducting others in to the hall of fame for the sake of this beautiful life, which he feels, is to be lived and loved. Yet, he dispatches the news of his petition to the world with a pride of a god and convinces all that he is human.
Bhansali has dominated this film throughout and deservedly so. Sudeep Chatterjee’s cinematography is top class and the screenplay has been precise. For a subject like this, the editing has been almost perfect and the casting has delivered power house acts.
Finally, the performances. Let me not mince words here – ‘Guzarish’ will go down for Hrithik Roshan as his finest. He has evolved as an actor and Bhansali has discovered the true potential beyond measures. His moves, his posture, the magical aura and the disabled hunk has been depicted with rare authenticity. But he is not taking the cake alone. I would also rank this as Aishwarya Rai’s bravest attempt in celluloid and she impressed me with her histrionics here; whether it is her oblivious reaction to Ethan’s decision or when he proposes her before the ultimatum, her expressions were brilliant and covertly toned to the demands of the scene. Aditya Kapoor is a good prospect and I am sure we will see more of him future.
Well, I guess, my verdict is pretty clear. ‘Guzarish’ is SLB’s greatest offering since ‘Black’ and he has not disappointed me. I would be heading towards the theatres on a couple of more occasions to watch this spectacle unwind in front of me.
@Lifeoholic 