"Swami" is based on a story written by the Bengali novelist, Sharat Chandra Chattopadhaya, whose many works have been made into movies, like Devdas, Parineeta, Apne Paraye, all dealing with the social issues. Very few film makers pick the rich literary work to the big screen and do justice to them. "Swami" is a nice effort in the league and becomes admirable for the tie it makes with the eastern values and culture.
"Swami" delves into the story of a woman who first dejects her family and husband and slowly understands the values of family and a marriage. The story is far behind today's life, where the society use to be male dominated with the males only the bread earners of the family and the women are mere the house wives though they might be educated. Due to the story, settings, and an average technical treatment the film has a bit faded look; and its slow pace makes it hard to keep up at instances. The music and photography aren't notable. However, except for few roles, there is a much of spontaneity in the characters, especially that shown in Girish Karnad's family, where the disputes are over small things of life like the daily chores of the kitchen. The simplicity of the film is able to touch you. Girish Karnad and Shabana Azmi both look spontaneous in their roles. Vikram looks weak. It's the realization of the eastern values and culture with a simplicity in the story that makes the film adorable. Though the story doesn't reflect today's realities where the husband and wife both make a livelihood, it still offers the roots of our society.
Rating: 2 stars out of 4
