Guzaarish

The story, which is set in Goa, is about a quadriplegic magician and radio jockey, Ethan Mascarenhas (Hrithik Roshan). Sofia DSouza (Aishwarya Rai) has been his nurse for the past twelve years. On the fourteenth anniversary of his accident, Ethan decides to file an appeal to the court for euthanasia (mercy killing) with the help of his best friend and lawyer Devyani Dutta (Shernaz Patel). Ethans mother, Isabel Mascarenhas (Nafisa Ali), also supports him in his petition, backing her sons demand. A young man named Omar Siddiqui (Aditya Roy Kapoor) enters Ethans life to learn magic from him.

Judge Rajhansmoni (Vijay Crishna) dismisses the case immediately when it is presented in the court. Devyani asks Ethan to garner public support through a vote on the issue through his radio programme, which Ethan names Project Euthanasia. The issue comes into limelight through news features in television and other media. An appeal is once again submitted to the court. Meanwhile, Ethans mother passes away and Sofia is dragged away by her alcoholic husband, Neville DSouza (Makarand Deshpande), against whom she had filed a divorce case.

On the day of verdict, the court cites the law doesnt permit euthanasia and rejects Ethans plea. A disheartened Ethan spends his time alone in his empty home when Sofia returns. She reveals to Ethan that she got the divorce, and also tells him that she will help with his mercy-killing, whatever the consequences. On hearing her words, Ethan realizes Sofias love for him. He proposes to her and Sofia agrees.

Ethan throws a farewell party for his friends and guests, where he speaks about everyone who is very dear to him and also tells everyone about the relationship between him and Sofia. Ethan says that he will die a happy man with no regrets and bids goodbye to all. At these words, all the guests come and hug him. The film ends with Ethan laughing heartily.Filmfare gave the movie a four star rating stating Guzaarish is unabashedly Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

In a film where life itself is the villain everything is larger than life, no surprise there. The house is grand, the characters even more so, the laughter is magnificent, the pain operatic and the treatment of all of the above is colossal in a deafening, attention seeking way that leaves no room for subtext or imagination. Reuters trashed the movie for its over the top performances and stated that the lead actor Hrithik Roshan is the only saving grace of the movie where everything else, like Aishwarya Rais make-up, seems fake and loud, and puts you off. The emotions, the set design, the dialogues, Hrithik Roshans beard are all out of this world, residing in some alien planet that only Bhansali inhabits. Rajeev Masand of CNN IBN gave it a two star rating explaining Guzaarish may be less esoteric than his last film, Saawariya, but its still an unsatisfying effort because the filmmaker continues to invest more in the appearance of every frame than in the emotional truth of his characters.

Its various subplots inspired from different films, Guzaarish is a mash-up of many interesting ideas. He stated that the magic is missing in this one. Anupama Chopra of NDTV gave a three star rating saying This fantasy would be effective if the writing was more organic and the emotions felt more authentic but Bhansali never gives us a chance to invest in these people. She noted that the movie is a mix of as much clumsiness as that strong performances and scenes which moves the audience. One of earliest reviews was published in Bollywood Hungama by critic Taran Adarsh who opined, Bhansali has worked himself to the grind and his presence is felt in every frame of Guzaarish and that the movie is one of the most profound, insightful and enriching dramas of the year.

The reviewer gave a four star rating to the movie praising the performances by the lead actors and the cinematography of the movie. On the lead actors Adarsh said In fact, the two actors have gone through a drastic appearance change and both pressurize you to believe that they are indeed Ethan and Sofia. The MSN review received a three and a half rating from the users and praised the movie for the performances by the cast, the cinematography and its subtle approach to a sensitive issue. However the review did criticize the movie for the lack of a forceful script, and contrived scenes. The Hindu reviewer Sudhish Kamath gave a negative review to the movie and heaped praises on the lead actor Hrithik Roshan saying that Hrithik Roshan gives one of the best performances of his career as a man trapped in a wheelchair/bad film, desperately craving for freedom.

As a bottomline he said that Guzaarish is Highly pretentious, boring film with leftover craving-for-your-sympathy melodrama from Black and unused sets from Saawariya. The Times of India, which gave a four and a half rating, mentioned that Guzaarish is an unusual film in many respects. Sudeep Chatterjee, the cinematographer was praised for the collage of riveting paintings on screen which showcased both the interior of the mansion and outsides of Goa like an art gallery. The review noted that A film like Guzaarish isnt made for the box office. Its made for the gratification of the senses.

And that it does, in ample measure. India Today reviewer Kaveree Bamzai gave a two star rating said that the movie is spectacularly silly, pretentiously ponderous. The only thing worth the price of the ticket is Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. This is one woman who is finally coming into her own. Whether it is her dancing to the Udi song or moaning in simulated ecstasy, she is lively, animated and pretty much stripped of the artifice we have associated her with forever.

The Pioneer gave six out of ten rating and noted all fears are dispelled in the first10 minutes of this finely made and delicately executed two-hour love emotion. With a taste for elegant grandeur and a keen eye on chic cinematography, Bhansali has lent Guzaarish a picture-perfect look which we hardly get to see in domestic cinema. Not to forget the theme of Quadriplegia which, too, has been dealt with sensitivity. Zee News gave the movie a positive review saying that Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Guzaarish is not a film but moving poetry that touches you in manifold ways. Guzaarish is the most extraordinary love story of Bollywood which unravels the patient-nurse bond through Ethan and Sophie.

Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan light up the silver screen with their sizzling on-screen chemistry, which takes Guzaarish to an altogether different level. Mumbai Mirror gave a 5 star rating to the movie and noted that the beauty of the film lies in its ability to throw light on a morbid subject, compelling the viewer to fall back in love with life. The review added that the audience would feel a Hrithik hangover that stays with you long after you have left the theatre. Hindustan Times reviewer Mayank Shankar gave it a three star rating and noted this is a film where aesthetics overpower everything else. Being mesmerized by the beauty of the big screen isnt always such a great thing.

You get overwhelmed at first; leave slightly under-whelmed, eventually. Deccan Herald noted that only select - audience may find the movie appealing saying that the performances stand out. Hrithik Roshan does brings some tears to your eyes and even Aishwarya comes up with an original act. But, as said, the blacks and greys of Guzaarish might appeal only to Bhansali viewers. Deccan Chronicle gave a four star rating noting that Hrithik Roshan is a saving grace of the movie.

The review said: Guzaarish is an affected film with a contrived plot and a severe Jesus complex. It is obsessed with how it looks, walks and poses. But in this self-conscious world lives and breathes a class act Hrithik Roshan. He creates an emotional core so powerful and compelling that the films flaws pale in his brilliance. The South African news paper The Sunday Times gave a nine star rating and said Guzaarish is a movie about hope, magic and life.

Bhansali has done it as a tribute to the nightingale Lata Mangeshkar who, he claims, has been his biggest inspiration. There are times that the pace may work in its favour, but its overall message and spirit will triumph, and it will be a memory that will linger on forever. Khaleej Times said this wonderful work of art, nuanced and magical in its portrayal, is about dying. But Ethan, as played by Hrithik Roshan in Guzaarish, is so bemused by adversity that he can actually look at his own suffering with dispassionate humour. The Telegraph cited that Guzaarish is a Hrithik Roshan film, which salvages, to some extent, the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film.

In motion, his on-stage moves are real magic. In suspended animation, he is able to channelise every emotion in the book through his eyes. However the Rediff review by noted critic Raja Sen criticized Bhansali for his tireless attempt to once again bring old-world theatricality - in all its surreal opulence - to our silver screen and gave two and a half rating. He added that the Sanjay Leela Bhansali circus whirrs on, but to what avail? Its like an old Disney musical - just without the wit. Or, ironically given this films subject, the magic.

Here is a filmmaker who needs a playwright - and, in equal measure, an occasional slap on the wrist. Sify movies, which also gave a two and a half rating, said that Bhansali lives in a universe of his own cut off from the rest of the world. The review sharply criticizing Bhansalis style of movie making noted that Its a dry subject anyway, but co-producer-writer-director Bhansali makes sure it gets super-gloomy. Daily News and Analysis reviewer gave a three star rating and noted Guzaarish is one of those films that are not meant to entertain so much as to shake you by the intensity of their content and the force of their performances. Bhansali deserves as much credit for the splendid direction as Sudeep Chatterjee for the breathtaking cinematography.

The music, again by Bhansali, and the artistic visual imagery that the film evokes act as lifesavers when the screenplay gets a bit monotonous. Komal Nahta, a freelance film critic, gave the movie one and a half stars stating that though the movie has power-packed performances, it will be rejected by masses and in towns and villages, owing to its class-appealing subject. He said It has been made exceptionally beautifully and boasts of extraordinary performance by the main protagonist, Ethan. Not only is the drama soul-stirring and emotionally moving but the film is also visually extraordinary. Subhash K Jha also echoed similar thoughts as that of Adarsh, saying that No film in living memory has brought out the sheer blessing of being alive with such spirit and glory.

According to him the music score of the movie communicate the rich tapestried emotions of lives that are determined to smile through an extraordinary tragedy. Amitabh Bachchan, veteran film actor, shared his views on Guzaarish in his blog and said that he was dumbfounded and almost speechless by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who raises the bar by leaps and it becomes very difficult to keep up with him . He specifically appreciated the performance of Aditya Roy Kapur, who according to him had been the most fascinating watch. Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) gave a 3 star rating in which Australian critic and columnist Simon Foster described it as a A melodrama that never says in two words what it can say in ten, Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Guzaarish balances its blubbery sentimentality with some beautifully realised images to heart-warming and generally likable effect. Satish Kaushik stated Aishwarya is unbeatable and looks beautiful on screen.

And here was a tremendous performance that came straight from the heart. She moved on screen like a swan on lake. Guzaarish is sheer poetry and I just loved Aishwaryas performance in it. It was brave and radical on Hrithiks part to accept this role. Aishwarya and Hrithiks Last scene was the most heartbreaking.

Hats off to him for putting his heart, mind and soul into creating Ethan.