Yawn ... Hello ...?
Of all the heavenly sounds in the word, nothing can be better than the sleepy ''Hello'' of the girl you like. ''Raj!'' she said, ''Kya yaar, you woke me up. How can you call a girl up at 1 am?'' she asked in an irritated tone. ''By punching ten digits and pressing the green button on my cell phone,'' I quipped. ''Raj, your jokes sound even worse at 1 am ... anyway, tell me, how was the movie?''
''Agar main kahoon, mujhe is film se mohabbat hai, meri bas yehi chaahat hai, toh kya kahogi?''
(And I played the guitar interlude on my six-string to show off a little more)
''Main tum se kahoongi ... is baat ko agar tum, apne besure awaaz mein nahin kehte, zaraa ghuma-firake review likhte, toh achcha hota ...''
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Men are often undone by their own greatness.
As I repeat what I said while reviewing the music of Lakshya, the above aphorism surmised what I feared as I entered to watch Lakshya's premiere show. At the cost of repeating myself for the 109302nd time (yeah, I counted!), may I say that Farhan Akhtar's first directorial venture Dil Chahta Hai was a cinematic masterpiece and is my all-time favourite film. Now, dil chahta hai that Lakshya would be better than Dil Chahta Hai. (So did I succeed in confusing you? Not yet? Damn, let me try again) Does Lakshya achieve that lakshya? Er, to find out, read on. I am sure my writing won't kill you.
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First things first, do not compare Lakshya with Dil Chahta Hai. Along with the fact that you would be disappointed (only a trifle) if you do so, let me add the cliched statement that films of different genres must not be compared.
Lakshya traces the life of Karan Shergill (Hrithik Roshan), a maverick, aimless youth. The film is about the journey of an individual - how the the hitherto reckless protagonist finds his purpose in life. As it describes the unique transition of a boy into a man, Lakshya would aptly be called a celebration of triumph.
Let me clear out first. Lakshya is not for those who want a twist a minute, in fact, Lakshya is as predictable as the result of an Australia-Bangladesh cricket match. Yet, the predictability works to its credit, as the film never deviates from its plot, and flows like poetry in motion. Talking about its flow, yes, it is a tad slow. That again, is, in my opinion, to its credit, as in the slow and sombre nature of the flick lies an amazing artistic flow and the viewer ends up asking for more. Er no, no Dil Maange Mores here, my review is not sponsored by Pepsi.
Aha (Er, no Pepsi again, please), if the two supposed cons I listed above haven't scared you off, go and watch Lakshya. If you want some more reasons why, read on. I remind you again that it won't kill you. And if it does, what's there? (Not Pepsi again, I swear!)
The most credit has to be obviously given to the captain of the ship. Farhan Akhtar proves that his premiere effort was no flash in the pan and handles the subject with ease. It's the combination of the script, screenplay and direction which makes Lakshya such a blissful experience. The father-son duo of Javed and Farhan beautifully delve into the psyche of a disillusionised youth and display his transition with amazing effect. It's remarkable how minor things in life can make one's resolve to do something much stronger, for instance, a snide remark or the hurting of one's ego, and such delicate events are beautifully expressed.
At the same time, while the basic transition of the protagonist's character forms the first half, the second half deals with his efforts to achieve his goal. The harsh reality of war comes through and the second half is LoC - revisited, albeit with a major difference. While the a film like LoC (and most other Indian war films) have tried to portray war as merely abusing the opposition and blindly trying to blast them off (almost literally), Lakshya, on the other hand, explores the finer aspects of war - the strategies used, in particular.
Here is where the cinematography transcends the film to a new level, altogether. Breathtaking visuals of the mountain terrain provide the 'shock and awe' aspect of the movie, and the scene wherein Hrithik and his five comrades attempt the impossible as they climb the almost-vertical terrain will have the viewer applauding for its sheer technical brilliance, replete with some amazing electric guitar work in the background.
Ah, the background music, while my major complaint remains that the entire guitar piece isn't featured in the soundtrack, the rest of the background music comprises of the two instrumental pieces - Separation and Victory. When it comes to the songs, Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy have created some fabulous tracks in Main Aisa Kyon Hoon, Agar Main Kahoon and Kitni Baatein. For more, read my music review of the film. It doesn't hurt to publicize, does it?
Hrithik Roshan is a queer chap. Woh aisa kyon hai? My next door neighbour had had me cursing after his antics in Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon and then astounded me with a great performance in Koi Mil Gaya. Well, if you thought that Koi Mil Gaya was his best, think again. With Lakshya, Hrithik perfectly brings out each and every feeling experienced by Karan Shergill, be it his initial aimless attitude, or his stubborn nature to prove his father wrong, his subsequent realisation that the army life is no bed of roses, or the final transition into a responsible servant of the Indian armed forces. It would take a superhuman performance to stop Roshan Jr. from carrying away the Best Actor statuette for this year, too.
Preity Zinta fans, don't expect too much. Her screen time may not be to your liking, and yeah, she looks hideous in the final hairdo her character takes up. Actingwise, she is good - strictly good. She shines though in the scene when she gives a stinging reply as to how her life cannot be controlled by her better half.
Amitabh Bachchan's role's length is again not much to speak about, but he delivers a power-packed performance as Col. Sunil Damle. Whether it his initial interactions with Shergill, the way he chalks out strategy, or his final celebration, Bachchan oozes zest, enthusiasm and ends up motivating not only his armymen, but also the viewers!
A word for one of the more underrated actors in the industry - Sushant Singh. He plays Akbar, one of the most endearing characters of the film, second only to Shergill. He shares maximum screen time with Roshan and acts effortlessly.
Boman Irani excels as Karan's father. This actor continues to amaze me with his wide repertoire. Watch out for his helpless expression in the scene when Hrithik leaves after his holiday is cancelled and also the heart-touching telephonic conversation between the father and his son.
While Om Puri's screen time seemed too miniscule to be fair, he walks away with some of the punchlines and also represents the section of the army who devote their entire life to a cause, but do not get much in return.
''Shukar karo ki chaand aasman mein hai, agar zameen par hota, toh uske bhi tukde kar diye hote insaan ne ...''
The support cast excels as well - be it Parmeet Sethi, Raj Zutshi, Amrish Puri, Lilette Dubey.
Lakshya has achieved its lakshya - of being a remarkable, endearing celebration of character. For those who freak on beautiful, poignant cinema, go for it. For those who don't, heck, go for it, all the same!
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Lakshya - the word is lakshya, and the lakshya is a plethora of comments!
