recommended

Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that such simple movies are still made. I was surprised that Ganesh Acharya, a choreographer actually directed this movie. Excellent acting, dialogues, storyline, music and direction. I wish more such movies were made. I'd like to address a couple of points that folks have raised: 1. Why did Radha buy a chair at the cost of her surgery: Well, first this is a love story. I think Radha thought that she would never get a chance to buy a chair again.Second, in the scene at the doctor's the doctor never mentioned that this could be life threatening and I think it is something very common that if the doctor does not stress on the criticality of an illness, the patient does not take it seriously. So I think this can easily be considered as a non issue.2. The fact that the promise was an old one and they did not have to go to USA: I think again this was a love story and that is all that Swami wanted to do - realize Radha's dream. Also, Anand categorically refuses his boss and in fact did not even mention it to his dad (Swami finds out as he overhears). It was only when Swami makes him swear on his mom that he stops and continues with the decision.3. Last, acting of Swami's friends was slightly over the top: I agree here but for such an awesome movie that is a small part that can be overlooked!

The 4 points are for the 4 leads only. Their performances were quite good. The story however was pointless. Major spoilersThe mother would rather give her husband a rocking chair that he had been wanting since he was a child than get an operation that would save her life so that she could be around to raise their young child??? Is that even a choice that a sane individual would consider? Then, 20 some years later, the son, his wife and their child leave the father behind to move to America in order to fulfill the mother's dying wish. Was that really necessary given that a lot had changed in 20 years. The son was making a good living and could provide well for his family in India. What was the point of breaking up the family and leaving the father all alone? Add to that the introduction of all the stupid characters in the later part of the movie. Was that only to fill time? I fast forwarded through that garbage. End of spoilers.This movie should only be seen for the fine performances of Manoj Bajpai and charismatic Juhi Chawla (her part was too short for me since she was the main reason why I wanted to see the movie). The other 2 younger leads were also quite good and I look forward to seeing them again.

'Swami' really reminds us of the time when simple stories were told so beautifully like in Hrishikesh Mukherjee films. In his directorial debut, Acharya has proved to be a remarkable director. He obviously took the risk of making a 'songless' film with two of the finest actors (Manoj Bajpai and Juhi Chawla), a simple script and minimal special effects. This isn't a big budget flick but in no way does it look outdated. Instead it adds to the films simplicity and gives it a more authentic look. Writers Bhavani Iyer and Muazzam Beg have written a lovely story and Acharya has stayed true to the script without going overboard in his aspects of film-making. One scene that deserves special mention is the one right before the interval when Radha requests Swami to sit on his rocking chair (that she affectionately bought for him) while she's lying on the bed. The zoom-lens focuses on Radha's eyes as we see her fate (note the change in her eyes) and then on Swami's face as we see his expression slowly metamorphoses from a smile. Full credit goes to the director and cinematographer for this brilliantly shot scene. There are several such examples throughout the film.Swami is an accountant who happily lives in a village with his beloved wife Radha. Never does he refuse any of Radha's wishes and fulfills all her desire. Swami is passionately intrigued by rocking chairs. He only has a what-seems-like-impossible dream of owning one. He also has a habit of collecting 5 rupee coins and names his collection the 'Good Luck' collection. Since Radha wishes for her son to obtain a good education and move to America, the couple shift to Mumbai as soon as the opportunity presents itself. They successfully manage to get their son Anand admitted to a good school. However Radha falls severely ill and the doctor recommends a costly operation. Swami decides to use his 'Good Luck' collection but even that's not enough. He works overtime and almost manages to make the amount until one day he comes home and sees a rocking chair.Manoj Bajpai's and Juhi Chawla's performances are breathtaking. The two share a very warm and sweet chemistry. Bajpai delivers a somewhat subtle and restrained performance. The actor plays his part with gusto. I'll give you an example of the scene when Swami returns home after his grandson's injury and he notices the absence of his most prized possession. Note the expressions on his face and his body language. No wonder he's one of the finest and 'Swami' is one of his best. One always expects nothing other than an excellent performance from Juhi Chawla but one always sees more than expected. The actress is just mind-blowing and even with her extremely limited screen time in the second half, her presence is there and her brief appearance in the Ganpati Baba sequence is a delight. I don't think any actress can match her presence on screen. Newcomers Maninder and Neha Pendse are commendable while the child actors are adequate. Clearly, Acharya has carefully selected his actors. While some may argue that the sequence with Swami's friends in the park may have been over the top (I also felt the same initially) it shows Swami's social circle. After his son's marriage, Swami retires from his job as an accountant and he meets new friends. I think that provides an important insight into his life as it shows his calmness among friends and that he's more of an introvert. The actors who play his friends are alright (but the Punjabi friend is very over the top).Acharya is very well know as a choreographer but in Swami there's hardly a dance number. We do see some dances in the Ganpati Baba festival sequence. Yet in that sequence we don't see any synchronized dance. What we see is very natural, just like the way people dance at a celebration. There's hardly any song in the film. The mesmerizing soundtrack perfectly fits the film and most of is relegated to the background. Acharya also makes good use of the music by allowing it to contribute to the scene rather than intrude.Ganesh Acharya shows tremendous potential as a director and I would like to see more of his directorial work. Unfortunately 'Swami' wasn't a big hit but I hope that doesn't prevent him from making such gems. There are just so many memorable moments in the film that have been so delicately handled like the scenes where Radha and Anand see America for the first time on T.V., Radha telling her husband about moving to the city, Swami looking back at the village house he leaves and Radha holds his hand, Swami finding what he lost (in the final scene). In my opinion, 'Swami' is one of the best films of the year.

Swami is not just the story of Swami.It is the story of a dream. A dream that Radha saw; that her son will go to America someday. A dream that Swami saw, to own a rocking chair. A dream that both saw for their son's future.It is also the story of family values. Values that parents teach their children.It is the story of innocence that is all lost these days.It is the story of the relationships, the relationship between husband & wife, father and son. The relations that are eternity.Swami is a simple Marathi accountant works in a small town and married to Radha a south Indian simple girl. When he gets a job in Mumbai, both of them are happy as they want their son to study in a nice school and go to America someday. Swami reaches Mumbai and starts working as the accountant in a jewelery shop. He has the dream of owning a Rocking Chair. Whenever he sees a chair, he keeps staring at that as he won't be able to afford it. Radha falls sick and Swami must arrange thirty thousand to saver her. He takes out all his savings and starts working overtime for arranging the money. But one day, after reaching home, he finds a rocking chair in home. Shocked when he checks, he finds all the money gone. Before he reacts, Radha ask him for forgiveness as she wanted to fulfill his dream rather than her life. Radha dies leaving Swami and Anand all alone and time flies too.Now Anand a grown up man working as an Executive in a multinational bank and is married to Pooja after falling in love with her. Adarsh is their kid who is very fond of Swami. After years of trying, Anand got a chance to go to America, but with a condition to leave his father back home. Will Anand go to America ? Swami saw the introduction of a new Director Ganesh Acharya. The story is nice as well as the Direction. The only problem with the movie is "it is not made for masses". Movies like this are made for creative satisfaction only. This will not be a hit in spite of how nice the acting, direction, music or cinematography is ?