7 reasons why Hrithik and Aishwarya`s Guzaarish is a classic

Under Bhansali’s direction, both actors deliver some of their most restrained yet powerful performances, in a film that demands, more than glamour, empathy.

The film uses soft lighting, deep shadows, and a muted colour palette to mirror Ethan’s inner world. Nothing is loud or ornamental; every frame feels intimate.

Guzaarish challenged the idea of what a “hero” should be in Bollywood. Ethan’s strength isn’t physical it’s emotional, intellectual, and deeply humane.

At a time when euthanasia was (and to a large extent still is) a taboo in India, Guzaarish opened up a space for dialogue.

When Guzaarish came out in 2010, the very idea of a mainstream Bollywood film engaging seriously with euthanasia or “mercy killing” was rare, if not unsettling.

By dramatising a deeply personal plea for mercy killing, Guzaarish helped normalise questions about dignity in death, contributing to a cultural conversation.

Bhansali’s handling of such a loaded theme is deeply compassionate. In his interview, he called it “a debate that’s not going to find answers very fast.”