About Swades

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• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music
• Soundtrack

About

Swades is a 2004 Indian film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. It falls under the genre of Social Issue Dramas. The movie stars Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role and tells the story of a successful NRI (Non-Resident Indian) scientist, Mohan Bhargava, who returns to his homeland to bring about positive change in a rural Indian village.

Mohan Bhargava, a project manager at NASA, decides to visit India after receiving news that his nanny, Kaveri Amma, is unwell. Upon reaching the village, Mohan witnesses the harsh realities of rural life, including lack of access to basic amenities like electricity and education. Compelled by a sense of duty, he decides to stay back and work towards improving the lives of the villagers.

Making / Production

Swades was produced by Ashutosh Gowariker himself under his production banner, Ashutosh Gowariker Productions. The film was shot primarily in India, with some scenes filmed in the United States. Gowariker meticulously captured the essence of rural India through the production design and cinematography, showcasing the beauty and challenges of the countryside.

Actors

• Shah Rukh Khan as Mohan Bhargava - Khan portrayed the lead role of an NRI scientist with conviction, showcasing the character's transformation and determination to make a difference.
• Gayatri Joshi as Gita - Joshi played the role of Gita, a village school teacher who becomes an integral part of Mohan's journey.
• Kishori Ballal as Kaveri Amma - Ballal portrayed the role of Mohan's nanny, who becomes a symbol of the emotional connection Mohan has with his roots.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Swades is partly inspired by the real-life story of Aravinda Pillalamarri and Ravi Kuchimanchi, who founded the development organization, Association for India's Development (AID).
• The film's music was composed by A.R. Rahman and the lyrics were penned by Javed Akhtar.
• Swades received critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of rural India and its emphasis on social issues.

Awards

Swades received several awards and nominations, including the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera" by A.R. Rahman.

Quotes

• "Yeh jo des hai tera, swades hai tera. Tujhe hai pukaara."
• "We need to light up each and every village, every house, every hut in the village."

Music

• "Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera" - Sung by A.R. Rahman
• "Pal Pal Hai Bhari" - Sung by Madhushree
• "Yeh Tara Woh Tara" - Sung by Udit Narayan and Master Vignesh

Soundtrack

• "Yun Hi Chala Chal" - Sung by Udit Narayan, Kailash Kher, and Hariharan
• "Aahista Aahista" - Sung by Udit Narayan and Sadhana Sargam
• "Dekho Na" - Sung by Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik