Swades

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2004 film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker

title: "Swades" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["2004-films", "english-language-indian-films", "films-directed-by-ashutosh-gowariker", "2000s-hindi-language-films", "2000s-english-language-films", "2004-drama-films", "indian-films-based-on-actual-events", "hindi-language-films-based-on-actual-events", "films-about-social-issues-in-india", "films-whose-cinematographer-won-the-best-cinematography-national-film-award", "films-scored-by-a.-r.-rahman", "indian-drama-films", "utv-motion-pictures-films", "hindi-language-drama-films", "films-set-in-uttar-pradesh", "films-shot-in-wai,-maharashtra", "films-about-child-labour", "english-language-drama-films"] description: "2004 film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swades" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary 2004 film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox film"]

Field	Value
name	Swades
image	Swades poster.jpg
caption	Theatrical release poster
director	Ashutosh Gowariker
producer	Ashutosh Gowariker
screenplay	Ashutosh Gowariker
story	M. G. Sathya
Ashutosh Gowariker
{{Infobox	decat
label1	Dialogues by
data1
starring	Shah Rukh Khan
Gayatri Joshi
Kishori Ballal
music	A. R. Rahman
cinematography	Mahesh Aney
editing	Ballu Saluja
studio	UTV Motion Pictures
Ashutosh Gowariker Productions
distributor	UTV Motion Pictures
released
runtime	195 minutes
country	India
language	Hindi
budget	crore
gross	crore
::

Swades () is a 2004 Indian Hindi-language drama film co-written, directed and produced by Ashutosh Gowariker. The film stars Shah Rukh Khan, alongside Gayatri Joshi, Kishori Ballal, Daya Shankar Pandey, Rajesh Vivek, and Lekh Tandon.

The plot was based on two episodes of the series Vaapsi on Zee TV's Yule Love Stories (1994–95) which starred Gowariker. The story of a man setting up a micro hydroelectric project to generate electricity was reported to be inspired by the 2003 Kannada film Chigurida Kanasu which was based on the novel of the same name by K. Shivaram Karanth and Bapu Kuti by Rajni Bakshi. Story writer MG Sathya had revealed that he was swayed over by the Gandhian principles and the socio - political environment during his formative years while studying in Kannada medium school in Jalahalli, Bengaluru. The music and background score was composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics penned by Javed Akhtar.

Swades was theatrically released on 17 December 2004, to critical acclaim. However, it emerged as a commercial failure at the box office. At the 50th Filmfare Awards, Swades won Best Actor (Khan) and Best Background Score (Rahman). Despite its commercial failure, Swades is regarded ahead of its time and is considered a cult classic of Hindi cinema and one of Khan's best films. The film is owned by Red Chillies Entertainment.

Plot

Mohan Bhargava is an NRI who works as a Project Manager on the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) program for NASA in Washington, D.C. Mohan relocated to the U.S. to attend college and stayed there after his parents died in a car accident in India. He worries about his Kaveri Amma, a nanny in his native Uttar Pradesh, who raised him during his childhood. After his parents' death, Kaveri Amma moved to an old age home in Delhi and eventually lost contact with Mohan.

Mohan wishes to return to India and bring Kaveri Amma back with him to the U.S. Following the recent success of Phase I of his project, he takes a few weeks off and travels to India. He visits Kaveri Amma's old age home but learns that she no longer lives there and went to a village named Charanpur a year ago. Mohan decides to travel to Charanpur.

Mohan uses a recreational vehicle to reach the village, fearing that he might not get the required facilities there. Upon reaching Charanpur, he reunities with Kaveri Amma and learns that his childhood friend Geeta, whom he referred to as 'Gitli' in his childhood, brought Kaveri Amma to stay with her after Mohan's parents died. Geeta runs a school in Charanpur and works hard to improve the living conditions of the villagers through education. The village, however, is divided largely by caste and religious beliefs. Geeta disapproves of Mohan's arrival, believing that he will take Kaveri Amma back with him to the U.S, leaving she and her younger brother, Nandan 'Chiku' alone. Kaveri Amma tells Mohan that she needs to get Gita married first as it is her responsibility. Gita is a strong believer of women's empowerment and gender equality, which attracts Mohan to her and he decides to help her by campaigning for education among backward communities and girls. Mohan befriends villagers, Nivaaran and Mela Ram, and they support him in his campaign. Mohan also gains the attention of Dadaji, a kind village chief.

Mohan and Geeta eventually grow closer. Kaveri Amma asks Mohan to visit a nearby village named Kodi to collect money from a man named Haridas who owes it to Geeta. Mohan visits Kodi and feels empathetic towards Haridas for his poor condition, which is such that he is unable to provide for his family with meals each day. Haridas tells Mohan that since he belongs to a low caste, his job as a weaver wasn't earning him enough money, so he started tenant farming. However, this change in profession led to him getting shunned by the villagers, who even denied him water for his crops. Mohan begins to understand the situation and realizes that many villages in India are still like Kodi. He returns to Charanpur with a heavy heart and decides to do something for the welfare of the village.

Mohan extends his stay by three weeks. He learns that electricity inconsistency and frequent power cuts are a major problem in Charanpur. He decides to set up a hydroelectric power generation facility from a nearby water source. Mohan purchases the equipment needed from his own funds and oversees the construction of the power generation unit. The unit works and the village gets sufficient and consistent power.

Dadaji's health deteriorates and he passes away. Mohan is repeatedly called by NASA as the GPM project he was working on has reached its final stages, and he has to return to the U.S soon. Kaveri Amma tells Mohan that she prefers to stay in Charanpur as it would be difficult for her to adapt to a new country at her age. Gita also tells him that she would not settle in another country, and would prefer it if Mohan stayed in India with her and Kaveri Amma. Mohan returns to the U.S to complete the project. He begins to have flashbacks of his time spent in India and considers returning. After the successful completion of the project, he leaves the U.S and returns to India with the intention of working at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, from where he can still work with NASA. The film ends showing Mohan wrestling his friend Nivaaran near a temple.

Cast

Shah Rukh Khan as Mohan Bhargav, a NASA scientist
Gayatri Joshi as Gita, Mohan's childhood friend
Kishori Ballal as Kaveri Amma, Mohan's nanny
Smith Seth as Nandan 'Chiku', Gitu's younger brother
Lekh Tandon as Dadaji
Rajesh Vivek as Nivaaran Dayal Shrivastav, a postman
Dayashankar Pandey as Mela Ram, an eatery owner
Farrukh Jaffar as Panch Fatima Bi
V.M. Badola as Panch Munishwar
Bhim Vakani as Panch Narayan
Dilip Ambedkar as Panch Hariya
Raja Awasthi as Panch Gundagin
Rajesh Balwani as Rahul Sinha
Rahul Vohra as Vinod Raaz, Mohan's colleague
Makarand Deshpande as Fakir, a traveller who shows Mohan the way to Charanpur

Production

Inspiration

Swades is inspired by the story of Aravinda Pillalamarri and Ravi Kuchimanchi, the non-resident Indian couple who returned to India and developed a pedal power generator to light remote, off-the-grid village schools.{{cite web |url = http://nripulse.com/profile_RaviAravinda.htm |title = The Real Swadesis: Aravinda and Ravi |access-date = 25 December 2007 |archive-date = 7 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080107184337/http://www.nripulse.com/profile_RaviAravinda.htm |url-status = live |url = http://studentorgs.utexas.edu/aidaustin/projects/mhp/mhp.html |title = Bilgaon Village: From Darkness to Light |access-date = 25 December 2007 |publisher = AID Austin |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080117094705/http://studentorgs.utexas.edu/aidaustin/projects/mhp/mhp.html |archive-date = 17 January 2008 |url = http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2021/stories/20031024001208700.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081208071706/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2021/stories/20031024001208700.htm |url-status = usurped |archive-date = 8 December 2008 |title =The Bilgaon model |access-date = 25 December 2007 |publisher = FRONTLINE (THE HINDU)}} Gowariker spent considerable time with Pillalamarri and Kuchimanchi, both dedicated Association for India's Development (AID) volunteers. He supposedly visited Bilgaon, an Adivasi village in the Narmada valley, which is the backdrop of the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) movement. The people of Bilgaon are credited with doing 200 person-days of shramdaan (community service) to make their village energy self-sufficient. The Bilgaon project is recognised as a model for replication by the Government of Maharashtra.

The film was reported to be inspired by two episodes of the series titled Vaapsi on Zee TV's Yule Love Stories (1993–95). The story of the lead role setting up a micro hydro electric project to generate electricity was reported to be inspired by the Kannada novel Chigurida Kanasu by K. Shivaram Karanth and Bapu Kuti by Rajni Bakshi.

Themes

Mahatma Gandhi's great-grandson, Tushar Gandhi, noted the theme of Gandhism in the film. The name of the main character portrayed by Shah Rukh Khan is Mohan, which was Gandhi's birth name (Mohandas or "Mohan"). The film opens with the quotation:

Gowariker tries to address the lack of scientific temperament and widespread ignorance among the rural folks through the energetic number "Ye Tara Wo Tara", where Mohan is seen encouraging the children to experience the fascinating world of stars through his telescope. In a symbolic manner, the song rejects the defunct divisions of caste and class and at the same time, through its protagonist, tries to instill in the audience an appreciation of curiosity and observation.

Casting and filming

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Menavali_pan.jpg" caption="Panorama of [[Menawali]], the village in [[Maharashtra]] where ''Swades'' was shot"] ::

Gowariker initially offered Mohan's role to Aamir Khan (who worked in Gowariker's 2001 film Lagaan), but he rejected it because he found the story to be weak. Mohan's role was then offered to Hrithik Roshan, who refused after reading the script. Gowariker contemplated casting R. Madhavan before offering Mohan's role to Shah Rukh, who finally accepted it after listening to the story and he started crying during the story's narration. Bhanu Athaiya, an Oscar winner for Gandhi (1982), was the costume designer for the film.

Swades was the first Indian film to be shot inside the NASA headquarters and inside the NASA research center at the Launch Pad 39A of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rainfall monitoring satellite known as the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) in the film is an actual NASA mission and was launched in 2014. A major part of the film was shot in Menawali, Maharashtra.

Soundtrack

| rev1 = Planet Bollywood | rev1Score = link | noprose = yes

On 27 March 2021, members of United States Navy Band sang "Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera" for Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the Ambassador of India to the United States and United States Navy Chief of Naval Operations at a special dinner event. The video of the band members singing surfaced on Twitter and received praise and nostalgia from Shahrukh Khan, A. R. Rahman and netizens alike.

Tamil version

The Tamil soundtrack under the title Desam was composed by A.R. Rahman. All Lyrics were written by Vaali. According to the Indian trade website Box Office India, with around 13,00,000 units sold, this film's soundtrack album was the eleventh highest-selling of the year. ::data[format=table]

Title	Singer(s)	Length
"Thirukona Moolam"	S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, Master Vignesh, Baby Pooja	7:13
"Kaaviriya Kaaviriya"	Madhushree, Alka Yagnik (humming)	5:17
"Unnai Kelai"	T. L. Maharajan, Hariharan	7:28
"Unthan Desathin Kural"	A. R. Rahman	6:28
"Thai Sonna"	K. J. Yesudas, Madhushree	6:35
"Mazhai Mega Vanna"	K. S. Chithra, Srinivas	6:50
"Kettenaa Naan"	Mohammed Aslam, Sadhana Sargam	5:46
"Unthan Desathin Kural" (Shehnai)	Madhukar T. Dhumal	4:00
::

Reception

Critical reception

The film received universal critical acclaim and went on to become a cult classic, and Khan's performance as Mohan Bhargava is considered one of his best to date.

Subhash K. Jha of Indiatimes Movies gave the film 4.5 stars out of 5 and said, "Swades is a unique experiment with grassroots realism. It is so politically correct in its propagandist message that initially you wonder if the Government of India funded the director's dream."

Mayank Shekhar from Mid-Day gave it 4 stars, stating, "I cannot think of a better film for the longest that deserved a stronger recommendation for both touring cinemas of India's villages, and plush multiplexes of Mumbai or Manhattan."

Jitesh Pillai of the Sunday Times of India gave the film 4 stars and said "After Lagaan, what? The answer's blowing in the wind. Swades! Here's the verdict: This is a gutsy and outstanding film. Welcome back to real, solid film-making." He added, "Swades is undoubtedly the No. 1 movie of the year."

Shradha Sukumaran of Mid-Day gave it 3.5 stars and said, "At the end of it, Swades is a far braver film than Lagaan. It could have hit the high note – if it hadn't tried so hard."

Avijit Ghosh wrote in The Telegraph, "With its gentle humour, the film acts as an entertaining vehicle for social change. And hopefully, it will do more for positive nationalism than the Union government's Directorate of Audio Visual Publicity (DAVP) ads ever will."

Box office

Swades earned net box office in India. In the overseas market, the film made $2,790,000. It had a lifetime worldwide gross of . The film topped the box office in Chennai on its opening weekend.

Awards

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/Shahrukh_Khan_2004.jpg" caption="Shah Rukh Khan at Kennedy Space Center in [[Merritt Island]], [[Florida]]. Khan earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of a NASA Scientist in this film"] ::

[[National Film Awards]]

Best Male Playback Singer – Udit Narayan for "Yeh Taara Woh Taara"
Best Cinematography – Mahesh Aney

[[Global Indian Film Awards]]

Best Actor – Shahrukh Khan
Best Newcomer – Gayatri Joshi

[[Zee Cine Awards]]

Best Director (Critics) – Ashutosh Gowariker
Best Female Debut – Gayatri Joshi
Best Story – Ashutosh Gowariker
Best Sound Re-recording – Hitendra Ghosh

[[Star Screen Awards]]

Most Promising Female Newcomer – Gayatri Joshi

[[Stardust Awards]]

Dream Director – Ashutosh Gowariker

[[Bollywood Movie Awards]]

Best Female Debut – Gayatri Joshi

Film Café Awards

Best Actor – Shahrukh Khan

[[50th Filmfare Awards]]:

Won

Best Actor – Shah Rukh Khan
Best Background Score – A. R. Rahman

Nominated

Best Film – Ashutosh Gowariker
Best Director – Ashutosh Gowariker
Best Music Director – A. R. Rahman
Best Lyricist – Javed Akhtar for "Yeh Taara Woh Taara"
Best Male Playback Singer – Udit Narayan and Master Vignesh for "Yeh Taara Woh Taara"
Best Female Playback Singer – Alka Yagnik for "Saawariya"

Legacy

The character of Mohan Bhargav, played by Khan, was reprised again in Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva. Director Ayan Mukerji confirmed that it is the same character from Swades. In the 2023 film Jawan, Khan's character Azad is raised by a character named Kaveri after his parents are presumed dead.

References

(January 2001). "Box Office: Crash of the big 'uns". [[Filmfare]].
"Swades".
(17 December 2018). "Meet Aravinda and Ravi, The Inspiration Behind Shahrukh Khan's Movie 'Swades'".
(11 August 2023). "SRK's 'Swades' was inspired by Ashutosh Gowariker's show, where he played Mohan?".
"Top ten Kannada films to have been remade".
(20 June 2019). "Eight Bollywood movies that are actually remakes of South Indian films".
(2016-12-17). "Can't thank Ashutosh Gowariker enough for Swades: Shah Rukh Khan". Indian Express.
(22 October 2009). "Bet You Didn't Know – the real story behind Ashutosh Gowariker's Swades!".
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/bangalore/swades-went-beyond-being-a-filmit-became-a-movement-writer-mg-sathya/articleshow/116546164.cms
(8 September 2011). "Lost in Translation – Part 1/2". Filmfare.
Deepak Mahaan. (4 August 2011). "Arts / Cinema : Intoxicated with second love!". The Hindu.
"Red Chillies Entertainments".
(2017-01-28). "Indian-American who inspired SRK's Swades questioned on immigration status". Hindustan Times.
(2018-12-17). "Meet Aravinda and Ravi, The Inspiration Behind Shahrukh Khan's Movie 'Swades'".
(2003-10-23). "The Bilgaon model".
(2015-11-19). "'I'm pleased with Hirani's Gandhigiri,' says Gandhi's grandson".
(11 October 2006). "Ash, Hrithik ready to go back in time". The Times of India.
(6 September 2005). "It's silly to slot filmmakers: Madhavan".
(2004). "Swades". BBC.
"Radio Sargam Interview: Shah Rukh Khan!". Radio Sargam.
"Lights, Camera, Liftoff!". NASA.
"Global Precipitation Measurement". NASA.
(22 January 2014). "GPM Launch Information". NASA.
"Error".
(19 August 2009). "The village where Shah Rukh Khan's Swades was shot".
Taranjit Singh Sandhu. (27 March 2021). "'ये वो बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता! This is a friendship bond that cannot be broken ever.' 🇮🇳🇺🇸 US Navy singing a popular Hindi tune @USNavyCNO 's dinner last night! https://t.co/hfzXsg0cAr".
A.R.Rahman #99Songs 😷. (28 March 2021). "Swades rules for ever🌹@AshGowariker #sharukhkhan @Javedakhtarjadu https://t.co/DGgN5xRsEp".
Shah Rukh Khan. (29 March 2021). "Thank u for sharing this sir. How lovely. Git all nostalgic about the time spent making this beautiful film and belief sung in the song. Thanx @AshGowariker @RonnieScrewvala @arrahman & everyone who made it possible. https://t.co/rFRKcHTDCg".
Kamini Mathai. (2009). "A.R. Rahman: The Musical Storm". Penguin Books India.
"Music Hits 2000–2009 (Figures in Units)". [[Box Office India]].
Verma, Sukanya. "10 Best Bollywood Movies of the Decade". Rediff.com.
Pillai, Jitesh. (2004-12-22). "Swades". The Times of India.
(24 December 2004). "A film that dares". The Telegraph.
[https://web.archive.org/web/20131014132208/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=210&catName=MjAwNA== Boxofficeindia.com]. Web.archive.org (14 October 2013). Retrieved on 2015-03-30.
[https://web.archive.org/web/20130926064255/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=337&catName=TGlmZXRpbWUgSW4gSU5EIFJz Boxofficeindia.com]. Web.archive.org (26 September 2013). Retrieved on 2015-03-30.
"Top Lifetime Grossers Overseas".
"Chennai Box Office – sify.com (1970)".
Suhasini, Lalitha. (19 July 2005). "Destiny's child". Pune Newsline.
"Film Cafe: Winners". BBC Radio.
Hazra, Priya. (19 September 2022). "SRK's Character In 'Brahmastra' Is Actually Mohan Bhargav From 'Swadesh, Confirms Ayan Mukerji". [[ScoopWhoop]].
Samaiya, Praneet. (21 September 2022). "Ayan Mukerji Confirms That Shah Rukh Khan's Character In Brahmastra Is Mohan Bhargav From Swades". Cine-tales.com.
Pall, Omair. (18 September 2022). "Ayan Mukerji Confirms Shah Rukh Khan's Mohan Bhargav From 'Brahmastra' Is Not A Coincidence!". [[Mashable]].
(19 October 2023). "Ashutosh Gowariker on Swades references in Jawan, Brahmastra: 'It's flattering'".

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