What a WONDERFUL World!

I see trees of green, red roses too…

I see them bloom for me and you…

And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

My story is not very unusual; I am inherently a passionate movie buff, ardent movie watcher, a cinema lover. I love good movies, fine entertainment, and excellent infotainment. What I feel, is oddly curious about me, is my fascination with melodramatic, emotional and poignant movies. I have forever loved watching movies alone, mind you, only the ones that TOUCH my heart, the ones that promise to stay with me long after I have watched it, and the ones that tug at my heart strings and keep strumming them for a long long time.

I cherish these feeling of sadness, grief, bated breath, heavy sighs and tears of empathy. I consider my ability to CRY so easily with the characters onscreen, to be very enduring and humane and artistic! Yes please do not ask how and why but I definitely do. And today I have had the Pleasure to watch the Movie Guzaarish with my most favorite person in this world, Myself! I should also add that I truly Loved the experience and shall cherish it for the Rest of My Life!

When I First saw the trailer of *Guzaarish* I immediately said to myself, Now that is My kind of movie. I wanted to Watch IT there and then! Not many people I know wanted to watch the movie, In fact My Appa asked me "Why do you want to PAY and go cry?" Good Question, But Why not? Do we only watch movies for mindless entertainment, crude jokes, inhumane bodies and unrealistic stunts? I for one, have nothing against such movies, In fact I am one of those few peoples, who equally enjoy watching a BIG BOSS, a Golmaal and a Guzaarish as well!!

Coming back to My Prime train of thought, Guzaarish, the movie is set in the picturesque Goa, home to one of the most accomplished magicians of the time - Ethan Mascarenhas. As movie starts, we get a glimpse of a Day in the Life of Ethan, how he needs to be helped by his Nurse/caregiver/friend/Shadow Sofia D'Souza to wake up, brush, have a shower, dress, and sit. The Man, Mr. Bhansali doesn’t believe in wasting any time in getting to his story and does a remarkable Job of getting our attention right from the very first Frame.

Due to a highly unfortunately turn of events, Ethan is severely injured when one of his magical tricks goes horribly wrong, turning him into a quadriplegic. Confined in his own room, Bed and wheelchair, Ethan does not waste his time drowning himself in self pity, helplessness and grief, instead he channels his inner power to get stronger and stronger.

He becomes the Radio Jockey, he disperses magic, hope and laughter through his irrepressible wit and humor to every listener and caller, making it almost impossible to imagine that this is a man who has been immobilized with a spinal injury for the last fourteen years of his life. However, Ethan decides to take matters into his own hands and files an appeal to the court for mercy killing. This leaves Sofia in an impasse that challenges their relationship and their love. The rest of the story is basically a wonderful execution of a man, his vision, mission and all those people who help him. The ethics, the morality, the cruelty and the kindness of Ethan's mission causes everyone to be struck by a tsunami of emotions ranging from rage to sorrow.

Sofia is Ethan's elegant nurse, friend, caregiver, support system and much much more, she has been accompanying him like a shadow for the past twelve years. Both Sofia and Ethan have their lives centered upon each other, they share a silent tacit love which is both beautiful and spirited. For Me, Guzaarish, was a true Love story, exotically portrayed without the need for any unnecessary touch, dialogue or excess of emotion. The Pain in the eyes of the two characters, the longing in their hearts, the helplessness in their voices, the pang of misery in their sighs have all managed to capture the true essence of Love for me. The chemistry between the two main characters is unbelievably intense that the timber of their love can almost be touched. It is so beautiful that I can barely express myself here.

The music, the frame, the coloring, the sets, the costumes and the casting, all add to the Whole Guzaarish Experience. Hrithik Roshan is Par excellence, he has definitely played superheroes before… but this I feel is his Biggest SuperHERO role ever. He looked ethereal, earnest, belivable and he wants Acting, he was living the life of Ethan, so was Aishwarya Rai, they were both living in the shoes of their respect characters. Not for a second do we see them as Hrithik Roshan or Aishwarya Rai, but always as Ethan and Sophia. Both of them have done a Remarkable job and added value, grace, dignity and poise to yet another visual Splendor from the house of SLB Films. Aishwarya Rai is tremendous as Sophia and has done I believe more than enough to Shut her critics and non fans! She looks sober, gentle and completely at ease in Sophia's shoes. There are times when her acting skills shine and project's its luminosity, almost binding us with its brilliance! I may be Biased, but who isnt?!

Everyone has worked to the grind and the hard work is felt in every frame of Guzaarish. There is an inimitable intellect that is seen in all SLB movies, his devotion and dedication towards his crafts is truly inspirational and motivating. Guzaarish has a number of sequences that without doubt make you wonder at the Man, SLB's intelligence, exquisiteness, and brilliance! My personal favorites would be the courtroom sequence and Aishwarya's outburst towards the end of it, The hearing of the petition at Hrithik's house, the dispute between Aishwariya and Hrithik's Lawyer, Hrithik's War with Rain and the Finale.

Guzaarish is special in more ways than one. In my personal opinion, it easily ranks amongst SLB's best works so far. The Film is about smiling, living and courage! Will I recommend this movie to anyone? No, I will NOT! This is not because the movie is too emotional or not because it isn't well made, Of course it is a WELL MADE, extraordinary film, but because I am a selfish person, I want this profound, insightful and wonderful drama, the characters, the soulful music, powerful emotional quotient and most importantly the breathtakingly wonderful onscreen chemistry between Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai, all for Myself… JUST Myself!

Bas Itne se Guzaarish Hai… :)