Sanjay Leela Bhansali has churned out some of the most unforgettable, disparate and amazing pieces of cinema that we have today. Starting with Khamoshi, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Black to name a few and now Guzaarish. Hats off to this one.
Serious issue. Crisp story. Impeccable direction. Diverse and fresh cast. Flamboyant sets. Grandiose art. Plethora of emotions. Good acting. Hrithik Roshan. Flawless! Everything that makes for a sensible movie in today’s age. No item numbers for promotion’s sake, gaudy costumes, family drama or dance sequences with a crowd of 200 extras. Just plain fine cinema.
One of the things that intrigued me about the movie besides the ones mentioned before has to be the topic dealt with in the movie. Euthanasia or Mercy killing is something we all are aware of today. Our constitution doesn’t allow for this under law and has ruled it as crime. I really wonder what the punishment for contemplating the breach of a law such as this for the victim in this case would be. Death penalty? Ironically, that would serve the purpose, won’t it? Throughout the movie, I was in two minds, thinking had I been in the position of the judge, would I rule the case in favour of or against Ethan Mascarenhas.
Life’s a gamble. True. Sometimes you win, other times you lose. You don’t always get what you want and when you do, that’s not what you want at that point of time. Expect the unexpected! For some, the breath of fresh air early in the morning fills them with hope, happiness and the urge to live. For some, every single breath only kills them further. Think about those unfortunate few for whom life isn’t exactly a bed of roses. There maybe thousands of people around the world with conditions like Ethan as portrayed in the movie. As said “If every person has the right to live, they must also be endowed with the right to not live.” Each individual is responsible for his or her life. We are not liabilities. This shouldn’t be misconstrued as advocating suicide. But the human body has a certain threshold of endurance which when surpassed to an extreme limit leaves you asking for freedom from the predicament. For Ethan, it was freedom from life.
Then again, Life is God’s gift. Our parents, family, friends are all a part of our lives and have their rightful claim on us but the ultimate power rests with the almighty. He gives, he takes away. We have no right to destroy something that’s not our creation. He makes everything happen for a reason. But it’s hard to fathom why misfortunes as with Ethan befall people. What reason could that be? To teach you to live on your own, teach you to appreciate what you have in life which perhaps you wouldn’t have otherwise. Or to completely fetter you for a lifetime such that even breathing feels burdensome. A debatable topic it’ll always remain. Highly subjective. And I’m still reserved about my opinion.
Either ways..God,have Mercy...
God bless.
