Saawariya

Saawariya (transl. 'My love') is a 2007 Indian Hindi-language romance film produced and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, based on Fyodor Dostoevsky's 1848 short story "White Nights", Co-produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment and released on 9 November 2007, it is the first Bollywood film to receive a North American release by a Hollywood studio,[1] Additionally, it is one of the first Bollywood films to be released on Blu-ray Disc.[2] This film would also mark the last film appearance of Zohra Sehgal before her death in 2014.

Saawariya
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySanjay Leela Bhansali
Produced bySanjay Leela Bhansali
Written byPrakash Kapadia
Vibhu Puri
Based onWhite Nights
by Fyodor Dostoyevski
StarringRanbir Kapoor
Sonam Kapoor
Salman Khan
Rani Mukerji
Zohra Sehgal
Narrated byRani Mukerji
Music byMonty Sharma
CinematographyRavi K. Chandran
Edited bySanjay Leela Bhansali
Production
company
SLB Films
Distributed bySony Pictures
Meteor Pictures
Release date
  • 9 November 2007 (2007-11-09)
Running time
138 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budgetest. ₹450 million
Box officeest. ₹390 million

The film marks the debut of both the lead actors; Ranbir Kapoor son of actors Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, and Sonam Kapoor, daughter of actor Anil Kapoor.

Plot

The story is narrated by Gulab (Rani Mukherjee), a prostitute who frequents RK Bar, the town's most luxurious club. The bar's lead singer, Raj (Ranbir Kapoor), whom she affectionately calls "Saawariya" ("beloved"), is a free-spirited and kindhearted man. Despite knowing what Gulab does, Raj is friendly to her, and unlike other men, is kind to the other prostitutes, trying to brighten their sad lives. When he tells Gulab that he needs a job and somewhere to stay, she tells him that there is only one woman who'll give him a place to stay: Lillian (Zohra Sehgal) – but she allows only those she likes.

Raj meets Lillian and they have an emotional conversation, during which Lillian reveals she had a son who left her many years ago to join the army and never returned. She lets Raj stay with her because he reminds her of her long-lost son. That night, Raj meets a mysterious girl. He tries to talk to her, but under the wrong impression, she shouts at him to go away. Raj tells her that he will, on the condition that he'd escort her to safety, lest someone with bad intentions trouble her. As predicted by Raj, a drunkard begins following her and Raj saves her from him. After that, she allows him to escort her home. Raj discovers her name is Sakina (Sonam Kapoor) and falls in love with her.

Raj decides to confess his feelings to Sakina. He resigns from his job to meet her and calls her but she ignores him. He gets angry with her but the pair reconcile. He takes her to his favourite place, on the top of the clock tower. There, Sakina reveals that she is in love with a man named Imaan (Salman Khan). Imaan had left but promised to return for Sakina on Eid. It has been a while but she is still waiting for him faithfully. Hearing this, Raj becomes heartbroken and doesn't confess. However, he refuses to believe that there is an Imaan. He asks Gulab for advice, who advises him to tell Sakina how he feels. With the entire neighbourhood cheering him on, Raj decides to propose to Sakina on the night of Eid.

He takes Sakina to RK Bar and sings his favourite song for her: "Saawariya". Sakina remembers that it's time to meet Imaan and leaves. Following her, Raj tells her that he has discovered that there is no Imaan. Sakina tells him to let her go. Hurt, Raj goes to Gulab, saying he wants to sleep with her. Gulab, who loves Raj, is deeply hurt and gets Raj thrown out onto the street, where he is beaten up by a few of Gulab's henchmen. He returns to where Sakina is waiting. Imaan has still not arrived. Sakina, heartbroken, becomes sure that Imaan will not come back so she decides to be with Raj. Raj tries to make Sakina happy and succeeds. When they are returning home, they pass the bridge where they first met and see Imaan waiting for Sakina. Sakina hesitates as she steps toward Raj. Raj, however, tells her to go and Sakina reunites with Imaan.

The movie ends as a tribute to Raj Kapoor, where Raj walks and sings in a style similar to Kapoor from the film Shree 420, remembering the sweet moments he spent with Sakina.

Cast

As per the end credits.

Production

Bhansali initially wanted Rani Mukerji and Salman Khan's extended guest appearance to be hidden from the public[3] but later announced that they would be seen in supporting roles.[4]

Elaborate sets for the film’s imaginary city, complete with lakes, streets, shops, signages and a clock tower, were designed by production designer Omung Kumar, who had previously worked with Bhansali on Black (2005).[5]

The first official teaser of the film was accessed by New York Times on 25 August 2007.[6] The first screening was held on 28 October 2007, though only for those associated with the film.[7]

This film was released on 9 November 2007.

Soundtrack
Saawariya
Soundtrack album by
Monty Sharma
Released
19 September 2007 (India)
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length47:44
Label
ProducerSanjay Leela Bhansali
Monty Sharma chronology
Black
(2005)		 Saawariya
(2007)		 TBA
(2009)

The soundtrack for the film was released to mixed reviews on 19 September 2007. Indiafm gave the music three out of five stars, stating that, "The title song would be remembered for months to come, if not years, the others do not really go that extra distance".[8] According to the Indian trade website Box Office India, with around 10,00,000 units sold, this film's soundtrack album was the year's fourteenth highest-selling.[9]

SongSinger(s)DurationPicturised on
"Saawariya" Shail Hada 02:45 Picturised on Ranbir Kapoor and Rani Mukerji
"Jab Se Tere Naina" Shaan 04:44 Picturised on Ranbir Kapoor
"Masha-Allah" Kunal Ganjawala and Shreya Ghoshal 05:28 Picturised on Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor
"Thode Badmaash" Shreya Ghoshal 03:19 Picturised on Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor
"Yun Shabnami" Parthiv Gohil 05:15 Picturised on Ranbir Kapoor & Sonam Kapoor
"Daras Bina Nahin Chain" Richa Sharma, Shail Hada and Parthiv Gohil 04:45
"Sawar Gayi" Shreya Ghoshal 03:42
"Jaan-E-Jaan" Kunal Ganjawala & Shreya Ghoshal 05:59 Picturised on Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor
"Pari" Kunal Ganjawala 05:19 Picturised on Rani Mukerji and Ranbir Kapoor
"Chhabeela" Alka Yagnik 05:23 Picturised on Rani Mukerji and Ranbir Kapoor
"Saawariya" (Reprise) Shail Hada 03:06 Picturised on Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor

Reception

Saawariya has 39% rotten rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average rating of 5/10[10] and a 44% Mixed or average rating on MetaCritic.[11] It was a disaster at box office. Ranbir Kapoor won Best Male Debut at the Filmfare Awards.

Awards
Stardust Awards
  • Stardust Superstar of Tomorrow - Female – Sonam Kapoor[12]
  • Stardust Superstar of Tomorrow - Male – Ranbir Kapoor[12]
Filmfare Awards

Shaan (singer) - "Jab Se Tere Naina" (from Saawariya) won the Filmfare Best Male Playback Award

Nominated

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References
  1. Chhabra, Aseem, "From Bollywood to Chinatown: Warner Bros. teams with India for 'Chandni Chowk' martial-arts musical", Film Journal International, 14 January 2009
  2. "Bollywood Comes to Blu-ray with 'Saawariya'". High-Def Digest. 3 January 2008. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
  3. "Rani Mukherji to play courtesan in Saawariya". 9 November 2006. Retrieved 30 September 2007.
  4. "Rani plays a prostitute in Saawariya". 8 January 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2007.
  5. Deepanjana Pal (September 2013). "Places Other Than This". The Big Indian Picture. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  6. "mid-day.com". Saawariya Debuts in New York Times. Retrieved 16 September 2007.
  7. "'Saawariya' first screening held". Retrieved 30 October 2007.
  8. "Music review". 27 March 2006. Retrieved 21 September 2007.
  9. "Music Hits 2000–2009 (Figures in Units)". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 24 June 2010.
  10. "Saawariya at Rotten Tomatoes". 18 October 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2009.
  11. "Saawariya at Metacritic". 18 October 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2009.
  12. Bollywood Hungama News Network (26 January 2008). "Winners of Max Stardust Awards 2008". Indiafm.com. Archived from the original on 29 January 2008. Retrieved 26 January 2008.
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