Swami is as much a story of the protagonist Mini's existential dilemma as it is of her love choices.
The headstrong and individualistic Mini (played by Shabana) ends up marrying a soft spoken and mild mannered man, her 'Swami' (played by Karnad) due to a twist of circumstances and the social mores of the earlier era in which the film is set. However her lack of love for her Swami does not deter Mini from raising her voice against the injustice meted out to him and incurring the wrath of his joint family members. Things get complicated when the ex lover arrives and she decides to flee from her marital life. While her realization on the value of her 'Swami' at this juncture and the predictable decision she makes, is a foregone conclusion, where the movie scores is the deft manner in which Basu Chatterjee narrates it, ably aided by a superb Shabana Azmi who synthesizes visibly Mini's streak for outspokenness with her ability to empathize! Karnad and Vikram in supporting roles are just that - supporting actors! A special mention is warranted for Rajesh Roshan - be it Yesudas's Ka karoon sajni or Kishore's 'Yaadon mein tum' or Lata's 'Pal bhar mein" the music is outstanding! It helps that the songs are situational especially for a movie made in the seventies!
The existential dilemma, the underlying subtext of Mini's saga is what elevates the movie from 'good' to 'great'. While accepting her 'Swami' resolves the marital vs. pre-marital conflict - her quest to have her own identity, a life that is more cerebral than mundane, still remains unfulfilled. The movie starts with her telling us of her foolishness to run away but what comes through is the futility she feels of her own existence which even by the limited choice she has exercised does not fulfill her higher aspirations!
The headstrong and individualistic Mini (played by Shabana) ends up marrying a soft spoken and mild mannered man, her 'Swami' (played by Karnad) due to a twist of circumstances and the social mores of the earlier era in which the film is set. However her lack of love for her Swami does not deter Mini from raising her voice against the injustice meted out to him and incurring the wrath of his joint family members. Things get complicated when the ex lover arrives and she decides to flee from her marital life. While her realization on the value of her 'Swami' at this juncture and the predictable decision she makes, is a foregone conclusion, where the movie scores is the deft manner in which Basu Chatterjee narrates it, ably aided by a superb Shabana Azmi who synthesizes visibly Mini's streak for outspokenness with her ability to empathize! Karnad and Vikram in supporting roles are just that - supporting actors! A special mention is warranted for Rajesh Roshan - be it Yesudas's Ka karoon sajni or Kishore's 'Yaadon mein tum' or Lata's 'Pal bhar mein" the music is outstanding! It helps that the songs are situational especially for a movie made in the seventies!
The existential dilemma, the underlying subtext of Mini's saga is what elevates the movie from 'good' to 'great'. While accepting her 'Swami' resolves the marital vs. pre-marital conflict - her quest to have her own identity, a life that is more cerebral than mundane, still remains unfulfilled. The movie starts with her telling us of her foolishness to run away but what comes through is the futility she feels of her own existence which even by the limited choice she has exercised does not fulfill her higher aspirations!