Review of Siddhartha

I first saw this movie in a cinema and then later on television and then on video. Based on the novel by Herman Hesse, its Siddhartha, a young Brahmin from a rich family goes in search of "nirvana" with his friend, Govinda. During this time he spends time with some Sadhus from Hrishikesh but still finds that his mind is not at peace and they both continue their journey in search of nirvana. They then meet Gautam Siddharth, the Buddha and for a while follow him and his preachings. But this is where the two friends split and Siddhartha continues his journey in search of of nirvana during which he crosses the Ganges and meets Kamala, the lovely courtesan with whom he has an affair with, She introduces him to a rich merchant. Eventually Siddhartha, finding that his mind is still not at peace, leaves his job after becoming wealthy, and also leave Kamala and returns to the the Ganges. There he meets the ferryman, who had earlier helped him to cross the river. There he remains and helps the ferryman.

The scenery in the film is just superb and this is most effective when shown Siddhartha standing in a dark room and fasting until his father permits him to leave. The scenery and the dialogues are superbly used in semiotic terms. The script is very well written and the acting by Bollywood actors, Shashi Kapoor as Siddhartha, Simi Garewall as Kamala, Romesh Sharma as Govinda and Pinchoo Kapoor as the rich merchant, Kumaraswami, is very good and each one of them is able to show their versatility.

This is worth to watch film.