Swades (Homeland, the subtitle of the
film is "We, the People
With globalization, the world is becoming a small
place and the clash between cultures is fast becoming
common place. This phenomenon is being picked up in
mainstream media. Indian movies like Swades show how
this chasm can be bridged and that sometimes one needs
to jolt people out of the negative ruts their lives
have fallen into and empower them by striving towards
modernity.
Swades (Homeland, the subtitle of the film is "We,
the People") is a Hindi movie about a NRI (Non-Resident
Indian, or as some people call them Not Really Indian),
returning to India in search of his neglected nanny
in an obscure Indian village. His short stay is extended
when he gets embroiled in the local problems of shortage
of electricity, education and the deeply entrenched
caste system, besides developing a romantic interest
in the local school teacher, a forward-thinking, progressive
individual, somewhat socialist in outlook. Despite
concerns about the social and economic chasms that
exist in modern India, the two find common ground
in their desire for rural development. Someone once
said “Think globally, act locally”. This
point is strongly emphasized in the film. The film
also demonstrates the reach of Indians into the global
economy by placing the lead character in the role
of an important NASA project manager,
While the movie suffers from amateurish camera angles,
which is surprising considering the director’s
previous effort, Lagaan, received an Oscar nomination,
the story is refreshing, humorous and socially relevant.
Shah Rukh Khan – the leading Indian actor, who
has received innumerable accolades for his work –
weaves his usual boyish charm through the three and
a half hour long movie (don’t let the length
put you off as the movie is fast paced). The characterization
and acting of supporting characters is impressive,
and understandable, given their theatrical background.
The film provides a peek into the workings of the
robust Indian democracy at the grass root levels in
the form of the Panchayati Raj model, which are local
council meetings wherein local matters are either
resolved internally by village elders, and if needed
escalated with the government officials by them. This
model has meant significant empowerment of the common
man. Unfortunately, it is also prone to abuse by powerful
entrenched interests, who can be overthrown nevertheless.
The movie is quick to point out that positive changes
can only be made by working within the confines of
the prevailing democratic system.
At one point, the village elders proclaim the superiority
of India over America, alluding to the well-developed
cultural values and traditions in India, and the lack
of them overseas. The hero, Mohan, berates them, pointing
out that what made America great and self sufficient
were its values and traditions and while they might
be different from those held dear by India, they were
in no way inferior. (A point I had been making to
my loved ones frequently back home in India and thought
my views were in a minority until I saw the movie).
Unlike most Non Resident Indians, who return home
and just grumble about the prevailing problems and
leave, the hero comes up with innovative solutions
and from being an outsider becomes the apple of the
villagers’ eye and in turn he becomes attached
to the village and its people. He devises a novel
method for generating electricity through a rudimentary
reservoir-driven turbine system, making the village
quite self-sufficient, and sowing seeds of progress.
Other serious social issues such as the lack of women’s
empowerment in rural villages and the insidious institution
of child marriage are also talked about but not dealt
with in detail, which makes the movie somewhat superficial,
considering its length.
The film also deals with the impoverished condition
of the farmers who are stuck in the black hole of
poverty and cannot better their lot even if they move
to the cities. Clearly showing that there are levels
of poverty and most Indians outside the large urban
sprawls are living at the bottom rung of the social
ladder. The population explosion limits the government’s
options. The solution clearly lies in empowering people
at the grass root levels, which many Non-Governmental
Organizations are striving towards. This, coupled
with the growing industrial and technological boom,
should bring economic and social relief to the under-privileged.
The NRI returns to his project at NASA to honor his
commitments, but is constantly reminded of the beauty
of the country he left behind, the warm-heartedness
of its people, and the manifold challenges that yearn
for able people like him to address. In the end, it
would not be giving too much away to reveal that he
returns ‘home’, where his heart lies.
Available on Netflix, and Amazon in a two-disc DVD,
with special features not normally seen on Indian
film DVDs
