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Saawariya

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Saawariya
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySanjay Leela Bhansali
Written byPrakash Kapadia
Vibhu Puri
Based onWhite Nights
by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Produced bySanjay Leela Bhansali
StarringRanbir Kapoor
Sonam Kapoor
Rani Mukerji
Salman Khan
Zohra Sehgal
Narrated byRani Mukerji
CinematographyRavi K. Chandran
Edited byBela Sehgal
Music byMonty Sharma
Production
companies
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing International
Release date
  • November 9, 2007 (2007-11-09) (India)
Running time
138 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹45 crore[2]
Box office₹39.22 crore[2]

Saawariya (transl. Beloved) 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. The film marked the debut of Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor. It was the last film appearance of both Zohra Sehgal and Begum Para before their deaths. Co-produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment, it is the first Bollywood film to receive a North American release by a Hollywood studio[3] and is one of the first Bollywood films to be released on Blu-ray Disc.[4]

Saawariya released on 9 November 2007, and turned out to be a commercial disaster. It received mixed-to-negative reviews upon release, with praise for its soundtrack, production design, grand artistic approach and performances of the cast; however, its story, screenplay and pacing received sharp criticism.

At the 53rd Filmfare Awards, Saawariya received 6 nominations, including Best Supporting Actress (Mukherji) and Best Music Director (Monty Sharma), and won Best Male Debut (Ranbir Kapoor) and Best Male Playback Singer (Shaan for "Jab Se Tere Naina").

Plot

The story is narrated by Gulabji, a prostitute who frequents RK Bar, the town's most luxurious club. The bar's lead singer, Raj, 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 – 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 would 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 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. 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 does not 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 is 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 with happiness and Sakina reunites with Imaan. Imaan asks her if she is willing to accept a sad life with him to which she says yes and they both walk away together.

The movie ends with Raj walking away while reminiscing about the sweet moments he spent with Sakina in a style similar to Raj Kapoor from the film Shree 420 (1955).

Cast

Production

Bhansali initially wanted Rani Mukerji and Salman Khan's extended guest appearances to be hidden from the public,[5] but later announced that they would appear in the film in supporting roles.[6]

Elaborate sets for the film's imaginary city, complete with lakes, streets, shops, signages and a clock tower, were designed by the production designer Omung Kumar, who had previously worked with Bhansali on Black (2005).[7]

The first official teaser of the film was accessed by New York Times on 25 August 2007.[8] The first screening was held on 28 October 2007, though only for those associated with the film.[9]

This film was released on 9 November 2007, clashing with another Bollywood film Om Shanti Om, starring Shahrukh Khan, and Deepika Padukone.

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 album of the film is composed by Monty Sharma and lyrics were written by Sameer. The soundtrack was released to mixed reviews on 19 September 2007. Indiafm gave the album 3 out of 5 stars, saying, "The title song would be remembered for months to come, if not years, the others do not really go that extra distance."[10] According to the Indian trade website Box Office India, with around 10,00,000 units sold, the film's soundtrack album was the year's fourteenth highest-selling.[11]

Song Singer(s) Duration Picturised 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

Composed By – Sanjay Leela Bhansali Lyrics By – Nusrat Badr

03:19
"Yun Shabnami" Parthiv Gohil

Lyrics By – Sandeep Nath

05:15
"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
"Saawariya" (Reprise) Shail Hada 03:06 Picturised on Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 38% of 21 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5/10. The website's consensus reads: "It's pleasing to the eye, but Saawariya struggles to fill its runtime with a story whose clichés unfortunately outnumber its points of interest."[12] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 44 out of 100, based on 6 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[13]

Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express criticized the screenplay of the film calling it "static", adding that "Saawariya is an act of supreme self-indulgence".[14] Jaspreet Pandohar of BBC rated the film 2 out of 5 writing, "It's a clear case of self-indulgence and theatrical style over substance; with the director paying little attention to fleshing out the skeletal screenplay, preferring instead to focus on coaxing 'good-looking' performances from his young muses."[15]

Accolades

Award[a] Date of ceremony[b] Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Filmfare Awards 16 February 2008 Best Supporting Actress Rani Mukerji Nominated [16]
[17]
Best Male Debut Ranbir Kapoor Won
Best Female Debut Sonam Kapoor Nominated
Best Music Director Monty Sharma Nominated
Best Lyricist Sameer Anjaan – ("Jab Se Tere Naina") Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer Shaan – ("Jab Se Tere Naina") Won
International Indian Film Academy Awards 6 – 8 June 2008 Best Supporting Actress Rani Mukerji Nominated [18]
[19]
Best Male Debut Ranbir Kapoor Won
Best Music Director Monty Sharma Nominated
Best Lyricist Sameer Anjaan – ("Jab Se Tere Naina") Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer Shaan – ("Jab Se Tere Naina") Won
Best Female Playback Singer Shreya Ghoshal – ("Thode Badmash") Nominated
Producers Guild Film Awards 30 March 2008 Best Male Debut Ranbir Kapoor Won [20]
[21]
Best Music Director Monty Sharma Nominated
Best Lyricist Sameer Anjaan – ("Jab Se Tere Naina") Nominated
Sandeep Nath – ("Yun Shabnami") Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer Shaan – ("Jab Se Tere Naina") Won
Best Art Direction Omung Kumar, Vanita Omung Kumar Nominated
Best Choreography Ganesh Hegde & Pappu Mallu – ("Yun Shabnami") Nominated
Best Sound Recording Resul Pookutty Nominated
Screen Awards 10 January 2008 Best Male Debut Ranbir Kapoor Won [22]
[23]
Best Female Debut Sonam Kapoor Nominated
Best Music Director Monty Sharma Nominated
Best Lyricist Sameer Anjaan – ("Jab Se Tere Naina") Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer Shaan – ("Jab Se Tere Naina") Nominated
Best Cinematography Ravi K. Chandran Nominated
Best Art Direction Omung Kumar Nominated
Best Choreography Ganesh Hegde & Pappu Mallu – ("Yun Shabnami") Nominated
Stardust Awards 25 January 2008 Dream Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali Nominated [24]
[25]
Best Supporting Actress Rani Mukerji Nominated
Superstar of Tomorrow – Male Ranbir Kapoor Won
Superstar of Tomorrow – Female Sonam Kapoor Won
Standout Performance by a Music Director Monty Sharma Won
Sanjay Leela Bhansali Nominated
Standout Performance by a Lyricist Sandeep Nath – ("Yun Shabnami") Won
New Musical Sensation – Male Shail Hada – ("Saawariya") Nominated
Zee Cine Awards 26 April 2008 Best Male Debut Ranbir Kapoor Won [26]
[27]
[28]
Best Female Debut Sonam Kapoor Nominated
Best Lyricist Sameer Anjaan – ("Jab Se Tere Naina") Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer Shaan – ("Jab Se Tere Naina") Won

Notes

  1. ^ Awards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order.
  2. ^ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References

  1. ^ a b "Saawariya". Variety Insight. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Saawariya – Movie". Box Office India.
  3. ^ Chhabra, Aseem, "From Bollywood to Chinatown: Warner Bros. teams with India for 'Chandni Chowk' martial-arts musical", Film Journal International, 14 January 2009
  4. ^ "Bollywood Comes to Blu-ray with 'Saawariya'". High-Def Digest. 3 January 2008. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
  5. ^ "Rani Mukherji to play courtesan in Saawariya". 9 November 2006. Retrieved 30 September 2007.
  6. ^ "Rani plays a prostitute in Saawariya". 8 January 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2007.
  7. ^ Deepanjana Pal (September 2013). "Places Other Than This". The Big Indian Picture. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  8. ^ "mid-day.com". Saawariya Debuts in New York Times. Retrieved 16 September 2007.
  9. ^ "'Saawariya' first screening held". Retrieved 30 October 2007.
  10. ^ "Music review". 27 March 2006. Retrieved 21 September 2007.
  11. ^ "Music Hits 2000–2009 (Figures in Units)". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 24 June 2010.
  12. ^ "Saawariya". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 16 July 2022. Edit this at Wikidata
  13. ^ "Saawariya". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc.
  14. ^ "Saawariya". Indian Express. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  15. ^ "Saawariya (Beloved)". BBC. 5 November 2007. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  16. ^ "Nominees - 53rd Annual Filmfare Awards". Bollywood Hungama. Bollywood Hungama News Network. 6 February 2008. Archived from the original on 23 October 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  17. ^ "Winners of 53rd Annual Filmfare Awards". Bollywood Hungama. Bollywood Hungama News Network. 23 February 2008. Archived from the original on 22 November 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  18. ^ "Nominations for the IIFA Awards 2008". Bollywood Hungama. Bollywood Hungama News Network. 16 April 2008. Archived from the original on 8 March 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  19. ^ "IIFA 2008: And the award goes to..." CNN-News18. 9 June 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  20. ^ Bollywood Hungama News Network (14 March 2008). "Nominations for 3rd Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 21 September 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  21. ^ Bollywood Hungama News Network (1 April 2008). "Winners of 3rd Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  22. ^ "Nominees for 14th Annual Screen Awards". Bollywood Hungama. IndiaFM News Bureau. 2 January 2008. Archived from the original on 29 April 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  23. ^ "Winners of 14th Annual Star Screen Awards". Bollywood Hungama. Bollywood Hungama News Network. 11 January 2008. Archived from the original on 23 October 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  24. ^ "Nominations for Max Stardust Awards 2008". Bollywood Hungama. Bollywood Hungama News Network. 25 December 2007. Archived from the original on 23 October 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  25. ^ "Winners of Max Stardust Awards 2008". Bollywood Hungama. Bollywood Hungama News Network. 26 January 2008. Archived from the original on 23 October 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  26. ^ "Nominations for the Zee Cine Awards 2008". Bollywood Hungama. Bollywood Hungama News Network. 1 April 2008. Archived from the original on 23 March 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  27. ^ "Winners of the Zee Cine Awards 2008". Bollywood Hungama. Bollywood Hungama News Network. 27 April 2008. Archived from the original on 14 August 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  28. ^ "Zee Cine Awards 2008 winners". Zee News. 23 April 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
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