• Friday, November 09, 2007

• Country:

  India

• Language:

  Hindi

• Runtime:

  142 min

2007

"Saawariya" is a timeless story of two young star-crossed lovers whose passions almost consume their will to the brink of self-destruction. In this eternal tale of an ode to romance, stand two lonely souls whose childlike innocence and candour only obscures their inner turmoil, anger, anxiety and desperate wait for love.

An artist, a free spirit, an idealist and dreamer, Raj, is certain that he has found his ultimate dream when he arrives at a quaint picturesque town. A place surrounded by mountains, shrouded in mist and enveloped in beauty, mythical enough to be a painter’s vision or a poet’s memory. However, destiny paints a different picture for Raj… One silent bright and starry night, he spots a mysterious girl draped in black, standing alone at a bridge. This chance encounter introduces him to Sakina, a shy and quiet, melancholic and enigmatic girl who continues to intrigue him.

Thus follows the beginning of a new friendship, where Raj with his most charming ways and an undying spirit tries to win Sakina’s heart. Raj is unable to accept her haunting past and their friendship pulls him into a whirlwind of desire, madness and romance. Through Raj and Sakina’s journey together, we are reminded of the fragility of the human heart. In the couple’s anguish and test of faith, is revealed the power of unconditional love through a thousand layers of tumultuous emotions.

Taglines

• When he first fell in love.
• Her world was waiting for her love. His was waiting for her love. And when the two met.

Trivias

• This is the first Bollywood film to be produced and released by a Hollywood production company (Columbia TriStar Pictures).
• A scene in the film (and a poster) shows Raj (Ranbir Kapoor) and Sakina (Sonam Kapoor) posing in a waltz-like manner, with the letters RK from a lighted sign in the background. This scene captures the logo of the R.K. Films Company, founded by Ranbir Kapoor's grandfather, Raj Kapoor.
• The film was shot in tones of green, blue and black to give it a surreal, dream-like atmosphere.
• Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali composed the song "Thode Badmash."
• According to Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film is a tribute to his grandmother, who spent her whole life waiting for her son Navin Bhansali to return home. He found that aspect of love (of waiting for someone close to return to you) an interesting theme to capture in a film.
• Cinematographer 'Ravi K Chandran' used as a reference the works of art by the famous artists Frederick Arthur Bridgman, Fred R Wagner and William Louis Sontag to make the shots resemble paintings and thus look more poetic.
• Space lights were used extensively to establish the painted look of the film.
• For the daytime scenes, space lights were used ordinarily; for the night-time scenes, the space lights were applied with ¼ CT Blue gel to achieve a cool nightly mood.
• Music director Monty Sharma and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali spent two and a half years working on the film's soundtrack.
• Throughout the "Masha Allah" song, Sakina carries a black/white/red shawl. This shawl was an original antique piece. It took costume designer Anuradha Vakeal four months to locate a similar garment to keep as a substitute for emergencies.

Quotes

• Gulabji: Who is this kid asking for milk in a BAR?
• Ranbir Raj: And one glass of milk for me, brother!
• Gulabji: One more glass of whisky, 'tender!
• Ranbir Raj: Ding-ding-ding! Laaaaadies and gentlemen, welcome to the fight of the century! In one corner is a beautiful young girl, and in the other, unhappiness!
• Sakina: Let go of me, you junglee!... Please forgive me.
• Imaan: When someone reads a book, I will miss you. When someone sneezes, I will miss you. When someone laughs while he cries and cries while he laughs, I will miss you.
• Lillian 'Lilipop': If that girl is meant for you, then nothing on Earth can keep her from you. And if she isn't meant for you, then nothing on Earth can bring her to you. The decision isn't in your hands; it's in God's. Now we have to see how God decides to place His c

Awards

1. Popular Award
   Event: Awards of the International Indian Film Academy
   Result: Nominated
   Category: Best Actress in a Supporting Role
   Recipient(s): Rani Mukherjee
2. Popular Award
   Event: Awards of the International Indian Film Academy
   Result: Won
   Category: Best Playback Singer - Male
   Recipient(s): Shaan
3. Filmfare Awards
   Event: Filmfare Awards
   Result: Nominated
   Category: Best Supporting Actress
   Recipient(s): Rani Mukherjee
4. Filmfare Awards
   Event: Filmfare Awards
   Result: Nominated
   Category: Best Music
   Recipient(s): Monty Sharma
5. Filmfare Awards
   Event: Filmfare Awards
   Result: Nominated
   Category: Best Lyrics
   Recipient(s): Sameer