Watch Swami Public Ltd
- 2014
- 1 hr 39 min
Swami Public Ltd is a 2014 Marathi language film directed by Ganjendra Ahire and stars Subodh Bhave and Vikram Gokhale in the lead roles. The movie is a drama that deals with the subject of spirituality, faith and the commercialization of religion. The story revolves around a self proclaimed "Swami" (saint) called Swami Samartha who has a large following of devotees. The Swami is shown to have miraculous powers through which he heals the sick and helps those in need. His devotees worship him and follow his every word religiously. The Swami is also surrounded by a team of loyal assistants and administrators who help him run his organization.
The plot takes a turn when the Swami announces that he wants to take his organization public and turn it into a limited company. The main objective of the Swami is to generate more funds for his projects and reach out to more people. The idea of making spirituality a commercial enterprise does not go well with many of his devotees who feel that the Swami is betraying his own values.
Subodh Bhave plays the role of a journalist who is investigating the Swami's organization. He gradually realizes that there is more to the Swami's organization than meets the eye. The Swami's organization is portrayed as a parallel government that has its own code of conduct and methods of operation. Vikram Gokhale plays the role of a lawyer who is hired by the Swami to help him with the legal aspects of the IPO.
The movie raises some important questions about the commercialization of religion and the exploitation of people's faith. It also explores the relationship between spirituality and materialism. The Swami's character is shown to be a complex one who has his own fears and doubts. The movie also explores the theme of power and corruption.
The pacing of the movie is slow and deliberate which may put off some viewers. The movie is more a character study than a plot driven narrative. The performances of the lead actors are top notch with Subodh Bhave being particularly impressive. The cinematography is sparse but effective in capturing the rural landscapes of Maharashtra.
The movie is not without its flaws. The plot feels meandering at times and the message of the movie is not always clear. Some viewers may also find the movie too preachy or didactic. However, the movie is worth watching for its strong performances and its exploration of a complex subject.
Overall, Swami Public Ltd is a thought provoking movie that raises important questions about spirituality, faith and the commodification of religion. It is a movie that is well acted and well directed and is definitely worth a watch.