Guzaarish Movie Review

Guzaarish Movie Review

Rating: 3.5/5

GUZAARISH took me back to a certain period of my life. I was grumpy and constantly fretting over miniscule things. I used to lose my patience at the drop of a hat. Then an incident changed my outlook towards life. GUZAARISH has the same potential.

This film is special for more reasons than one. After DHOOM 2 and JODHAA AKBAR, it sees the re-union of two of the finest actors in the film industry- Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Director Sanjay Leela Bansali is donning the director's hat after almost three years. It also deals with a very sensitive issue of Euthanasia (mercy killing).

He was the best magician in town. But a fatal accident left Ethan Mascarenhas (Hrithik Roshan) paralysed and bedridden for life. Presently hosting a Radio show 'Hello Zindagi' Ethan spreads hope to listeners through his inimitable wit and humour. For twelve years, he's being aided by nurse Sofia D'Souza (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), who's much more than a nurse.

On the fourteenth anniversary of his accident, Ethan decides to make a petition to the court for Euthanasia (He prefers calling it Ethanasia). This leaves his best friend and lawyer Devyani (Shernaz Patel) and Sofia in complete disarray. Meanwhile, a young man named Omar Siddiqui (Aditya Roy Kapoor) enters Ethan's world with a steadfast desire to learn magic from him.

First things first. GUZAARISH is not an abstract and ambiguous film. It's a simply narrated film made with a lot of heart. Although it's sensitive, it never gets dukhi. Sanjay Leela Bhansali has treated the grave issue of mercy killing with maturity. Although it's about a suffering person who wants to end his life, its message is about celebrating life. The best part about the film is that it involves you as a viewer. You surely feel for Ethan's plight. He leaves you smiling in many scenes and moist-eyed in some.

The first half is so breezy that you don't realise when it gets over. The second half is a bit of a drag. Like KAL HO NAA HO and the more recent PAA, GUZAARISH's narrative is very light-hearted laden with humorous moments. Ethan says, 'God pe bharosa hai, isiliye I am dying to meet him.' Also, the scene in which Sofia gives Ethan a leg massage is uproarious.

There are some really poignant moments that leave a lasting impression. Ethan watches a scarecrow on a field, which is symbolic to his own condition. The court-room scenes are just too good. While you expect Ethan to give a long monologue, he conveys everything through his 60-seconds magic trick.

GUZAARISH also has a unique love story between Ethan and Sofia to boast off. It's refreshing and endearing at the same time. The way in which Sofia takes care of Ethan is heartening.

Like most Sanjay Leela Bhansali's films (HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM DEVDAS, BLACK, SAAWARIYA), GUZAARISH is visually stunning. Each and every frame is meticulously shot. Cinematographer Sudeep K. Chatterjee captures some awe-inspiring magic scenes through his lens. Bhavani Iyer and Vibhu Puri's dialogues are excellent. Sanjay's music goes very well with the film.

Hrithik Roshan is outstanding. He spreads his magic and how! This can easily be termed as one of the finest performances of his career. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan delivers a good performance. She's completely dazzling in the Udi song. Shernaz Patel performs her role brilliantly. Watch out for the argument scene between Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Shernaz Patel. Aditya Roy Kapoor plays his part well. Monikangana Dutta doesn't have any scope. Makrand Deshpande was not required. Suhel Seth is very good and so is Rajit Kapoor.

GUZAARISH is poignant, amazing and simply 'magical'. A sincere 'guzaarish', please go watch it.

Rating: 3.5/5