Saawariya, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali is one of the much-looked forward to movies this year. It marks the debut of Ranbir Kapoor, son of actors, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor. Ranbir Kapoor is the fourth generation actor from his family after Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor and his father Rishi Kapoor. Ranbir Kapoor is also the cousin of Karisma and Kareena Kapoor, daughters of his uncle Randhir Kapoor.

Sonam Kapoor, who stars opposite him is the daughter of actor Anil Kapoor. ‘Saawariya’ also has Salman Khan and Rani Mukherji making brief appearances.

Saawariya is being released by Sony Pictures and is based on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s short story, White Nights. White Nights is a short story written by Fyodor Dostoevsky, originally published in 1848 Ranbir Kapoor plays a 26-year old who’s a romantic at heart. He comes across a girl and the story is based on four nights that the two spend together.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s last movie was ‘Black’ starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukherji in lead roles. The movie was a copy of ‘The Miracle Worker’ and so, despite Indian critics lauding it in their movie reviews, it couldn’t be sent to the Oscar awards. A section of the critics considered ‘Black’ as ‘overrated’.

Despite ‘Saawariya’ being based on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s short story, White Nights, few expect Bhansali to stay loyal to the original story. His ‘Devdas’ with Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri playing Devdas, Paro and Chandramkhi was so removed from the original story that Paro and Chandramkhi were shown dancing together, when they are supposed to have never even met, in the original story.

Ranbir Kapoor’s performance in ‘Saawariya’ has come in for praise and is getting good reviews. He has been signed by Yash Raj films already and is considered a very promising newcomer.

Popularity: 43%