DEATH WISH !!!!!!!!!!
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is the real and the greatest Dream Merchant,Bollywood has ever had, who takes all the hues of the rainbow to create a painting on celluloid and could give even something as depressing and morose as death, a glamorous presentation.GuZarish was yet again one similar movie of his.
I saw the movie late, and even though the movie may already be off the minds of people, I cannot refrain from talking about it, even though it’s late in the day. In fact I am doing this with a purpose of refreshing their memories again. I haven’t seen the English movie, from which it is rumored to have been inspired or even copied, but no regrets…………am very sure it could not be as good as GuZarish
In Guzarish, Bhansali has touched euthanasia, the very pertinent and burning issue of medical ethics and social acceptance. He has beautifully presented to the judiciary and medical fraternity of the country the earnest demand of those who are terminally ill, to be considered for grant of permission for mercy killing and has indirectly given his opinion and even that of the viewers ,in its favor.
The story of Guzarish, set around Goa revolves around a talented magician, played superbly by Hrithik Roshan.When he was at the peak of his career, another magician, who is his best friend and biggest compititor, tries to kill him, by snapping the wire from which he hangs during a performance. He survives but is left a quadreplegic, with paralysis, of both his arms and legs, confined for the rest of his life in bed or a wheel chair, with movement in his body possible only above the neck. He forces his assistant and girlfriend to get married, and spends twelve years in his house, confined to bed, needing help for everything. The same is efficiently provided by his nurse, played by Aishwarya, who dedicated all her time to him, even at the cost of her house, kids and even marriage. They share a very beautiful bond which can be considered a platonic relationship. Even though he puts up a brave front, continuing to crack his witty jokes and flirtatious remarks, his physical handicap does get the better of him and fed up with his life, he appeals for euthanasia and the story is of the time after this. A student comes to him to learn magic from him, before he takes his talent to the grave, who later turns out to be the son of the magician who tried to kill him. His case is fought by his, close friend, a lady lawyer, and they together convince the court that he cannot survive lifelong like this, and finally win the case. They celebrate the victory with his marriage with the nurse.
Like in all other movies of Sanjay Leela bhansali,one can easily see his great obsession for theatre.The movie looks like a three act play………Mostly indoor, few charecters,few sets and a colour theme. In fact even the dialogues seem as if they are being sung, the movements theatrical and impact poetic. It was almost like a ballet with dim lights, bright make-up, flashy clothes and antique props. A soundless still from the movie can easily be mistaken from that of an English movie of sixties.Aishwariya’s red rose and her bright red lipstick do wonders to clear the gloom of the story, Sanjay has taken poetic liberty of showing a formal court proceeding being held at the petitioners home and even the verdict which is illegal as of now, but has succeeded to convincingly get away with it.
After, Jodha Akbar, this movie once again shows that Hrithik and Aishwarya make the best screen couple. The slim tall body, air complexion, thin skin, sharp features and the agility make them actually complement each other added with their romantic on screen chemistry. Both have done their roles superbly and Aishwarya looks gorgeous doing justice to her global image. My vocabulary fails to find words for Hrithik.He was just outstanding as expected and as is in all his movies. Except for a very short interlude in the flashback, he could use only his face, but the expressions did the trick. They actually overcompensated for the paralyzed limbs. He looked, moved and danced like a Greek god which enhanced his remarkable histrionics. The other few characters have done justice to their small roles to bring the desired impact of the movie.
The story is simple, the theme important, but Sanjay has presented even this most controversial issue successfully in a very effortless manner without any depressive melodrama. The screenplay is good, dialouges simple, fluent but effectual and the flow constant. Even without any masala, the pace of the movie is handled well with no slackening. In spite of his disabilities, the wittiness and romantic nature of the magician has been portrayed excellently and his pure relationship with the nurse projected superbly. Background score is impactful and songs, especially tera zikr hai, ya itra hai, touch the soul and linger in the mind for long. One doesn’t feel sympathetic towards him, but surprisingly, it’s the spark of life put in his dark existence that sounds convincing. A lively character like him cannot live for eternity depending on others for every small act of his. The sets and props create the desired ambiance and the well chosen costumes blend with the flow of the story.Excelent direction, superb cinematography and good editing add to the merits of the movie.
Guzarish is poetry on celluloid and can actually be used in all future discussions and conferences to decide the fate of terminally ill patients and to consider their death with for euthenesia.A must see for all serious cine lovers.
Dr Sanjay Kapoor Lucknow
