Guzaarish is one of those movies which the Indian masses will not appreciate fully, yet will not leave the hall without being stirred deep inside in ways difficult to comprehend fully. It goes to the crux of human existence and there it finds what most humans would not want to acknowledge: that life is unpredictable and suffering is an inherent part of it. Out of that reality is born the singular truth embodied in every great work of art that makes the spirit soar: that we must fight no matter what. But for how long and to what ends? That is the central question put forth by this work of art.
Ethan Mascarenhas is a former magician, once given the epithet Merlin for his exploits, who is now living a stultified existence as a quadriplegic having been paralysed in an accident during the performance of a famous trick of his. His accident was engineered by a rival magician, all the more cause for him to be angry. In the event, he battles hard to survive and eventually becomes a role model to many millions through his persistence and spirit for life. For fourteen years, he goes through his daily dredge completely dependent on the more-than-a-nurse Sofia, who takes care of his minutest needs with utterly selfless dedication, without questioning God or feeling sorry for himself in a conscious, habitual manner. He does have nightmares where his past glory seems to suffocate him with such force that he can’t even cry aloud. So has he successfully overcome his personal demons and can he now live a fulfilling life again, without having to confront those demons again? Unfortunately no, especially for someone like Ethan who must achieve to forge an identity of his own rather than live a life not even able to clear his own bowels; hope is not an existing word and his pathetic state will last forever. So he makes a conscious choice, aware of the magnitude of his actions, to ask for euthanasia. He, more than other “normal” people, knows what the little joys of life mean, evident in the humour he indulges in or the ride that he takes after a dozen years inside his forced confinement. The wisdom of suffering has made him a true man; it has helped him look at life in a way that most people never do, busy as they are with their self-serving schemes for more. But for all that, he has no hope for a better future. What does it mean then to be alive for him? Indeed, why should he be kept alive against his will? I will not attempt to answer those questions, but for Bhansali’s answer, go and watch the movie.
What insights into the nature of suffering does the film offer? Ethan’s character and the people around him are what keep him going. It is the power of love that fuels his spirit. And it is not being lonely in his fight that makes his ordeal bearable. Would he have remained sane without the selfless love of Sofia or the genuine care that his lawyer and his doctor- more as friends than just in their respective roles – afforded him? He cares so deeply about his mother that he forbids her to come and see him in his condition. When she does visit him during the court proceeding in his house, her heart is so broken that she dies that very night. It is a testimony again to the human spirit to strive on no matter what that he has the courage to sing a song celebrating the possibilities of the future during his mother’s funeral. Central to the movie’s theme is this very message.
But are there any easy answers to Ethan’s plight? Will those who truly understand him say with the same conviction that he must soldier on? Or are those who say that he must, doing it to keep their own flame alive, without a care for what he goes through? Will the ones who loved him be able to bear his departure? These are questions which life throws at us without an inkling of how we must solve them. Perhaps, one could look into the intricate strands of Indian philosophy for some answers.
The true magic is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s. The scenes have such exquisite beauty that they seem like a series of paintings of Goan landscapes strung together one after the other, straight from the easel. Hrithik Roshan delves into the psyche of Ethan to offer such a convincing portrayal that his recent utterance about the irrelevance of the number one star in the industry carries weight, with him being more than just a star now. Aishwarya does justice to Sofia with wonderful grace - she has developed into a fine actress today. The ensemble cast shows its value throughout. Bhansali’s debut as a music director too is worthy, his music having a haunting yet uplifting quality in tune with the ebb and flow of the narrative. This one is for the connoisseurs.
