Swami

A 1977 film directed by Basu Chatterjee & had music by Rajesh Roshan.The star cast included Shabana Azmi, Girish Karnad,Vikram(of Julie fame), Utpal Dutt, Shashikala & others.The film was shot in Dahisar & Dahisar river banks. It has Dharmendra & Hema Malini in guest appearance.(So does Amol Palekar’s ‘Choti Si Baat’)

The movie is based on 1949 Bengali film “Swami”. Saudamini is a bright village girl with academic ambitions. Her uncle Utpal Dutt indulges her brainy bent,encouraging her studies.Her mother Sudha Shivpuri,a widow wishes to see her daughter married. Mini gets caught in an affair with her neighbour,Narendra,a zamindar’s son(Vikram), a student in Calcutta who brings her Victorian literature,listens to her & kisses her when they get caught in a rainstorm.

Mini finds her married against her wishes to a wheat trader,Ghanshyam (Girish Karnad) from a neighboring village.She finds herself trying to fit in,where her mother-in-law favours Mini’s sister-in-law. She is perplexed by the patience shown by her husband.She even tries to run away,gets caught, is brought back. And she realises why her name is “Saudamini”.

Best actress Filmfare award for Shabana Azmi,Best director Basu Chatterjee,best story Sharat chandra Chatterji along with nominations for Best film, Best music director & Best male playback singer for Yesudas for the song, Ka karu sajani aaye na balam.The other songs in the film were…Pal bhar mein yeh kya ho gaya…by Lata Mangeshkar. ‘Yaadon mein woh..’ by Kishore Da, “AAj ki raat kuch aisi baat” duet by Asha Bhosle & Yesudas.

Films like “Woh saat din ” had Padmini kolhapure getting married to Nasiruddin Shah.After 7 days decides to live with Nasir, formerly she is in love with the tenant,Anil Kapoor.The small daughter of Nasir & removing mangalsutra are the factors that play a big part.In a forced marriage, Shilpa Shetty develops feelings for her husband, Akshay kumar in ‘Dhadkan’ before her lover,Sunil Shetty re- appears.It had beautiful songs.’Dil ne yeh kaha hai dil se ‘…..One of my personal favourite.

Another film of the same name was made in 2007.The protagonist was Swami,Manoj Bajpai,who was supported by Juhi Chawla.It had a touching story about common people who have dreams about their children to do well in this world.The background score of the film was recorded before the film was shot.The music of the film has been incorporated in a US film school curriculum as well.

There is a fantastic book by Ranjit Desai in Marathi ‘,Swami’, on the life of Shrimant Madhavrao Peshwa & his wife Ramabai. She calls him ,”Swami” only once, but that scene is very touching & overshadows the entire novel. In Malgudi days written by RK Laxman, most of the adventures are around the central character..Swami, was a hit on TV. Then came’ Swami’, but by then the audience had moved on.

Lot more can be thought of the basic theme here. Lets stop.Happy viewing!