Guzaarish

About the film

Guzaarish (transl. Request) is a 2010 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film written, composed, produced, and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film stars Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the lead roles, while Shernaz Patel, Aditya Roy Kapur, Monikangana Dutta, Suhel Seth, Swara Bhaskar, and Makrand Deshpande play supporting roles. It was jointly produced by Ronnie Screwvala under UTV Motion Pictures.

The film narrates the story of a paralyzed magician-turned-radio jockey who files a petition in court seeking permission to end his life. The film was released on 19 November 2010 to positive reviews from critics, who praised the direction, cinematography, and performances, particularly of Roshan, and Rai. It is regarded as one of the best performances of Roshan. However, veteran Indian writer Dayanand Rajan claimed that the plot of the film was plagiarised from his unpublished novel Summer Snow.

Plot

Ethan Mascarenhas is a former magician who is a quadriplegic. He becomes the Radio Jockey of an FM Station called Radio Zindagi. His show spreads magic, hope, and laughter through his irrepressible wit and humor to every listener and caller, making it difficult to imagine that this is a man who has been immobilized with a spinal injury for the last fourteen years. His nurse, Sofia D'Souza, has been accompanying him for the past twelve years.

On the fourteenth anniversary of his accident, Ethan decides to file an appeal to the court for mercy killing. Ethan takes the help of his best friend and lawyer, Devyani Dutta, to support his appeal. Devyani understands Ethan's appeal, agrees to his reasoning and decides to support him in his cause. Surprising everyone with her stance, Ethan's mother Isabel Mascarenhas also supports him in his petition, backing her son's demand. Ethan's physician, Dr. Nayak, who has consistently persuaded him to retract his case, finally relents to Ethan's appeal when he realizes that the friend in him is much stronger than the medic. Meanwhile, a young man named Omar Siddiqui enters Ethan's life to learn magic from him as he considers him to be the greatest of magicians. Impressed by his love for magic, Ethan agrees to pass on his legacy to Omar. Later, Omar confesses to Ethan that he is the son of Yassar Siddiqui, who happens to be responsible for causing Ethan's accident. Ethan knew of this the entire time, yet that didn't come in the way of passing his legacy to Omar.

On the day of verdict Ethan's plea is rejected by the court, saying that although the court sympathises with Ethan and understands his reasons for filing the petition, the legal code of the country cannot be violated in any circumstance. Ethan spends his time alone in his empty home, while Sofia was forcibly taken back by her husband. When Sofia returns, she confesses to Ethan that she got a divorce from her husband and tells him that she will help him end his life, whatever the consequences be as Ethan means more to her. On hearing her words, Ethan realises how much Sofia loves him. He proposes to her and Sofia accepts.

Production

Bhansali first told media about his next directorial venture, when he gave an interview to the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS). In the interview he said that he had decided to call his film, Guzaarish, which is set to be shot in Goa.

Bhansali was on the lookout for a mature couple for the portrayal of his lead roles in Guzaarish. After watching their films Dhoom 2 and Jodhaa Akbar, both of which had starred both Rai and Roshan, Bhansali decided that the pair exuded a dignity and elegance much needed for his film. Though Rai had agreed to the script without even reading it, Roshan was all set to say no to the film. Amita Sehgal, Casting Director, hired other actors including Shernaz Patel, Vijay Crishna, Nafisa Ali, Aditya Roy Kapur and Suhel Seth. Makrand Deshpande was recruited to play an important three-minute cameo in the film on Hrithik Roshan's suggestion. Bhansali said that he had always wanted to work together with Roshan for a very long time as he was impressed by his sincerity as an actor. He added that the script of Guzaarish gave him the right opportunity to sign him. About the leading lady, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, he said that the role suited her to perfection and though she would have accepted his offer, it was important for an actor to be convinced of what he or she is doing. Bhansali stated that if any of the leading cast had refused to sign, he wouldn't have made Guzaarish. He later stated saying, the film was only possible if Hrithik and Aishwarya had acted in it.

Before starting the filming of Guzaarish, Bhansali visited Ajmer Dargah in Rajasthan for seeking blessings. Bhansali also met the singing legend Lata Mangeshkar, whom he had revealed to be the source of inspiration to him, to seek her blessings before he fully embarked on filming Guzaarish. During the meeting, Mangeshkar told that she was a big fan of Bhansali's films and that she was fortunate to be the source of inspiration behind such a talented director's film. She told the media members that "..Even I had heard that he makes his singers hear my songs over and over again before making them sing. I've always been a big fan of Sanjay's films, specially Black. I remember watching the Filmfare Awards in the year of Black. Every time the nominations were announced I prayed for Black to win. And it did. If I'm a source of inspiration to him then I count myself fortunate". Bhansali candidly admitted that he was very much afraid of meeting Lata since "..one doesn't hobnob with one's god". He added that once he reached her home, he "... just wanted to sit and gaze at her. I realized in person she's as magical as she is in her singing. There's something other-worldly about her, a quality I haven't encountered in anyone else in my life".

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