Jun 21, 2004 10:56 AM
3416 Views
(Updated Jun 21, 2004 09:17 PM)
Agar Main Kahoon that I used to feel Dil Chahta Hai is a good movie, better than most, but not good enough to be called a classic, you would probably kill me, I know.
&
Agar Main Kahoon that I was impressed with Farhan Akhtar's directorial skills but not impressed enough to call him the best new director, you would definitely kill me.
But wait!
Ha! Now you don't have any reason to kill me! Because w.e.f. 19th June 04 I have become Farhan Akhtar's biggest fan. I have to say, HE IS THE BEST.
Let me tell you why and what what caused this sudden change in my views.
Lakshya. The word is Lakshya.
A beautifully shot film, directed with finesse, lakshya is very different from the usual hindi movie fare and unbelievably close to being perfectly flawless.
Or to put it in Ron Weasley's words, its bloody brilliant.
Inspite of the basic premise of the story being the Kargil war, its not just another war movie. It is not even the story of the war from one soldier's eyes. It is exactly and only, the story of how the war changes Karan Shergill's(played by hrithik roshan) life from his own POV.
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Watch this movie because:
The breathtaking shots of the himalayan terrain. Its a feast for the eyes. With wide panoramic shots of the snow clad landscapes and the meandering mountain roads, its a movie you HAVE to watch, even if just to see Leh-ladakh.
Direction is superb! The movie portrays the little events in Karan Shergill's life which bring out the change in him, from aimless to focussed, from a boy to a man, from Karan to Lt. Karan Shergill.
Watch out for the most realistic war scenes. The strategy employed by the army to capture the hill (pt 5179 in kargil) is clearly explained to the viewer. So everything we see happening has a logic behind it.
Its patriotic without being jingoistic. And you certainly wont hear armymen hurling abuses at the enemy. It shows the army as it is. Motivated. Focussed. Disciplined.
Romila Dutta(played by Preity Zinta) is a Karan's love interest who becomes a TV journo and covers the Kargil war later in the story.
Their story is not a digression in the movie, it goes with the flow. It is in no way a distraction. The movie does not stray from its original plot.
- In real life, there is no time for melodrama, and thankfully, this movie is devoid of any.
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A Few Flaws:
Second half 'should' have been a little shorter in length, though I dont know whether it 'could' have.
Romila breaks up with karan a bit too easily. After all, they do love each other.
Only six people could manage to capture the peak of the hill from the pakistanis. Doesnt that seem a bit unrealistic?
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Performances:
Preity Zinta doesnt have much to do in the movie. Especially in the post interval half. Though she does share a chemistry with Hrithik, and that helps. Apart from that, it is NOT an award winning performance.
Boman Irani in a serious role is a bit hard to imagine, but he shines through it.
Amitabh Bachhan carries off the role well, though I think it should have been Om Puri playing the role. But thats just my opinion.
The others who have cameos and guest appearances and shorter roles performed as needed and no one over-acted. One person deserving a special mention is Sushant Singh who seems like a good actor who should get more such good roles.
Hrithik Roshan, from Kaho Na pyaar Hai to Lakshya, has come a long long way. I wasnt a really a fan of his, but this movie proves that he is a great actor. Whatta performance!
He definitely should win all the awards this year. And he looks good in the army uniform and hair cut too! :D
Scenes to watch out for:
When Karan is back at home after 4 days at the IMA and overhears his parents' conversation.
When Karan asks Romi why she loves him.
When an army man gives Romila a piece of his mind at the Army hospital.
All the scenes when Karan meets Romi at Kargil.
When he points at the peak and tells Romi, about his lakshya.
Telephonic conversation between him and his dad. And his meeting with Romila after that.
And finally, the rock climbing thing! It rocked! :D
8. OMG How did I forget this scene! The scene where its Karan's 2nd day at the IMA and he is supposed to shout 'dhaava' and the way he says it! OMG that was sooo hilarious!
Its Classy and though its too early to call it a classic, I think it is one.
A must watch movie. Check it out. Farhan Akhtar Rocks!
--Ananz
[The people in the movie theatre, started clapping when the army finally captured the peak and Karan(hrithik...hehe) finally hoisted the tricolor on it. I did too. Felt nice :) ]
