So I watched a Farhan Akhter movie!. Review on Lakshya

The only reason why I watched Lakshya is Farhan Akhtar, its director. After watching Dil Chahta Hai, I have become a big fan of his. He comes from a family that has been an integral part of Hindi film industry for as long as three decades. His father, the legendry Javed Akhtar is the most celebrated lyricist in the industry. His mother Shabana Azmi is one of the greatest actors the industry has ever seen. After seeing Farhan's both directorial ventures, I have no doubt he sure to keep up that legacy.

It?s a story of lieutenant Karan Shergill who discovers himself 11000 feet or so high (pardon me I am not sure how high) in the Kargil altitudes behind the enemy lines. That?s when he was part of the BSF regiment operating in Kargil. Before joining to the army, Karan was irresponsible and lazy. His parents had no hope in him. But his best friend and sweet heart Ronila Dutta (well played by preity) had. She felt if he has a goal he will reach there like no one does. But the problem is he doesn?t have one and has no clue what it should be? When he realized even Ronee has planed her career as a TV correspondent, he became desperate. So he decided to join the army.

Contrary to the typical bollywood cliché, Karan's problem is not yet over. Can joining the army solve his problems? The answer is a big no. The rest of the movie revolves around how Karan becomes lieutenant Karan shergill, the trials and tribulations he had to face and how he handled them.

The movie is hilarious and makes sense in the first half. But the second half seemed stretchy and the movie is going out of director's hands until a much needed break comes when Karan and five other army men embarks on a mission to recapture the invaded parts of Kargil some 11000 feet high. It was interesting if one notices the changes that have come in Karan's personality.

Now all he could see is his goal and he's ready to sacrifice his life for accomplishing it. Ronee who broke up with Karan was also present there playing a Barkha Dutta (She even changed her hair style to look like the awesome NDTV correspondent), covering the war for the TV channel she works in. When Karan and his fellows successfully destroy the terrorist camp, he becomes a hero of the nation. His journey from a slothful teenager to a national hero was all the movie is about.

When the movie finishes the director has to detect and connect a few missing links and discords. One was the conflict with his father (Boman Irani) who was against him joining the army. The obvious second one is the misunderstanding with Ronee (which was solved in a rather uncompromising manner). Fair enough. But Lakshya can never be termed as good as Dil Chahta Hai by any stretch of imagination. Though it completely succeeds in conveying a strong message; the importance of having a lakshya in life.

Hrithik Roshan at last played a realistic hero with flesh and blood that is not out of this world like most of his past roles. And one has to say his was an excellent performance. Amitabh Bachan plays the captain of the regiment that Karan is part of. One has to say that the great actor has nothing more to do in the movie than just giving orders. Another painful part was Om Puri's role, one of the greatest actors our country has ever produced. He was given a useless-nothing role of a subedar who opens his mouth once or twice. Apart from that the casting was good. Preity Zinta as always played her role with perfection.

Bottom line: The movie lies somewhere between good and very good on a five point (poor to outstanding) continuum and can be counted as one of those very few movies like Hum Tum which showed some signs that Bollywood is still alive. And a welcome break for those who are shattered by watching the disastrous Girlfriend which saw even Karan Razdan can direct movies.

Warning: Stay away from Girlfriend and Hawaas beacause Karan Razdan directed them! You should rather go for a Gundaraaj or Ustaadon ke Ustaad!!!