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Swades
स्वदेस
2004 195 min India 12+
★8.1
Drama
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Trailers
Description
A successful Indian scientist returns home to his village to take his nanny back to America with him, and in the process rediscovers his roots.
Budget:
$2.9M
US Gross:
$1.22M
Worldwide:
$4.8M
Starring
Shah Rukh Khan
Actor
Gayatri Joshi
Actor
Kishori Ballal
Actor
Awards
18 wins & 26 nominations total
Key opinion
Swades is widely celebrated as a grounded, realist drama that eschews typical cinematic artifice to explore genuine social issues in rural India. It is praised for its thoughtful, emotive narrative and Shah Rukh Khan’s nuanced performance, offering a poignant reflection on patriotism and cultural identity.
| Acting | Shah Rukh Khan delivers a highly praised, nuanced performance that effectively grounds the narrative. | |
| Theme | The film succeeds in depicting the realities of Indian village life, including poverty and caste divisions, without relying on fairy-tale aesthetics or forced patriotism. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative strikes a balanced tone that blends social commentary with moments of gentle humor and romance. | |
| Pacing | The three-hour runtime rewards viewers who engage with its contemplative, slow-burning pace, though it requires a willingness to look past traditional commercial pacing. |