• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

20 Years Of Swades: Released in 2004, the Indian drama Swades starring Shah Rukh Khan and Gayatri Joshi didn't make an impact at the box office but it earned praise from audiences and critics. To mark this milestone, director and producer Ashutosh Gowariker reflected on the journey and shared a gratitude note for the cast and crew of the film. He also thanked Shah Rukh for bringing his character Mohan Bhargava to life.

On the 20th anniversary of Swades, Ashutosh Gowariker took to his Instagram handle and dropped special edition anniversary posters to celebrate this occasion along with an emotional write-up.

His letter read, “Today, I find myself reflecting on the journey of Swades as it celebrates its 20th anniversary! It is hard to believe how time has flown since we first brought this story to the screen. Swades was more than just a film-it was a journey of homecoming, a story of belonging, and a call to reconnect with our roots. At its heart, it carried a message of hope, responsibility, and the importance of giving back. Through Mohan Bhargava’s journey, I wanted to inspire that sense of purpose within all of us."

Ashutosh Gowariker revealed that this wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible cast and crew. The director lauded and thanked M.G Sathya for the fabulous story and K. P. Saxena for the ‘unforgettable’ dialogues. Then, he mentioned SRK and wrote, “My heartfelt gratitude to Shah Rukh for embodying Mohan Bhargava with such honesty and bringing forth the message of the film with so much conviction."

On film's iconic soundtrack, the director's letter said, “From Yeh Tara Woh Tara to the timeless anthem Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera, your genius continues to touch hearts across generations. So do the amazing voices of Udit, Alka, Madhushree, Vijay, Hariharan, Kailash and of course, Rahman."

On this occasion, Gowariker also remembered late actors Kishori Ballal, Lekh Tandon, among many others. He added, “In these 20 years, we have lost many dear members of our team, whose contributions remain etched in every frame. Actors: Lekh Tandon ji, Kishori Ballal ji, Rajesh Vivek ji, Vishnudutt Gaur ji, Vishwa Mohan Badola ji, Mrs. Farrukh Jaffar aapa, and Peter Rawley. HOD’s: Bhanu Athaiya ji, Saroj Khan ji, K. P. Saxena saab, Nitin Desai, and Rajendra Rao. I will always remember them fondly and with gratitude. Their work and spirit will always live on!"

Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, Swades is a story of Mohan Bhargava, a NASA scientist who falls in love with his motherland all over again after his return to India. He reconnected himself with his roots and dedicated his life to developing his hometown. The film starred Shah Rukh Khan, Makarand Deshpande, Gayatri Joshi, Rajesh Vivek and others.

ALSO READ: Maharaja Box Office Collection China (18 Days): Vijay Sethupathi’s Tamil Movie Reaches New Milestone At Chinese Ticket Windows

ALSO READ: Kapil Sharma Shuts Down Trolls Over Alleged Racist Remark On Atlee, Says 'Watch And Decide By Yourself'