?It is an illusion that youth is happy, an illusion of those who have lost it; but the young know they are wretched, for they are full of the truthless ideals which have been instilled into them, and each time they come in contact with the real they are bruised and wounded? ? W. Somerset Maugham
A substantial part of Today?s youth seems to be a discontented lot today faced with crisis situations of all sorts. This has resulted in myriad of problems. Some youngsters rebel. Some become tools in the hand of politicians. Some fall prey to underworld. Some leave the country for greener pastures. Some fight against the changing socio-cultural environment. Some prosper in a milieu where they have choices, which they liken it to supremacy. Some get obsessed with consumerism and become tech-savvy, trend-alert and spendthrift.
Designer labels, Parties, booze, sex, drugs, have become their lifeline underlining the imperialistic life they lead. As a result their life has been rendered meaningless with no clear vision of their future. Not only have they lost track of their identity but also their responsibilities towards society and country. A lack of role model only adds to their confusion.
The misguided youths should be made aware of the law of the land, our Constitution, their Indian identity, their rights and responsibilities. This will help them understand the society and will promote patriotism, bring about national unity and will help in nation building. The youth being an influential element of the society have to become responsible citizens.
In our endeavour to try out various money filled career options, we tend to ignore a career in Indian army, which is a very challenging one. With proper training the person becomes adept at handling various difficult and complex situations. There?s also a misconception that army life is boring and a career in army is not worth. Though not glamorous or financially satisfying, a career in army makes one a very nationalist person and a person of high social standing and honour.
Farhan Akthar has come up with ?Lakshya? that deals with the youth in search for a definitive and meaningful goal in life. It delves in the character of Karan a clueless youth, his carefree attitude towards his life, his problems and how his personality and attitude undergoes a sea-change and how he achieves his goal. The movie also deals with army and the attitude of youth towards it. It tries to explore the glory of being an army man, the difficulties he face in war situations, the emotions and conflicts he faces before going to war. And all this has been set against the backdrop of Kargil War of 1999.
Initially the priorities and goals of our life are not clear but as we inch towards them they become clearer and clearer and this has been excellently said through the title design in the film posters. See how the initial letters in the word ?lakshya? are blurred and how subsequent letters become more distinct to make a complete and clear title. Same is the case with our life. It is a gradual process of realizing our goals and careers.
STORY
Born with a golden spoon, Karan Shergill (Hrithik) is a carefree youth and enjoys life to the fullest without having any clue about his career and future. Romilla Dutta (Preity) is Karan?s love interest and a television journalist who is optimistic that Karan will realize his responsibilities and achieve his aim someday. Gradually, Karan becomes conscious about his aim in life. He enrolls in the Indian Military academy but runs away from there when he could not cope with the hard military training. Preity Zinta does not like this and she calls off her relationship with him. Dejected he returns to the army, this time seriously and with a lakshya in his mind. Under tutelage of Colonel Sunil Damle (Amitabh Bachchan) he manages to achieve his aim.
PROS
The scene where Hrithik sees the Pakistani camps across the border for the first time. On seeing them Hrithik realizes for the first time in his life of his Indian identity.
The sequence on the first day of Hrithik?s training where he realizes that army life is not that easy, is hilarious and the subsequent training sequences look real.
The metamorphosis of Hrithik?s character from an aimless youth to the youth with only one lakshya has been deftly brought about.
The scene where an army man, Saket, chides Preity Zinta when she talks about peace.
The war scenes are technically first rate, especially the scene where Hrithik and his group capture the point in Kargil by climbing a rocky cliff.
CONS
The scene where Preity breaks off her relationship with Hrithik just because he runs away from the academy was just hard to digest. And the subsequent scenes between Hrithik and Preity only show their immaturity in dealing with situations.
The issue of woman-power has been dealt with in a nonchalant way, through a chat show sequence, and this subject is further given a shoddy treatment when Priety breaks off her relationship with her fiancé.
The movie drags in second half.
STARCAST
Hrithik excellently portrays the role of a confused teenager who ultmately matures and finds his goal. Not only does he look dashing ? in a funky look and in an army crew cut, but he also does justice to his role and manages to convince the audience of the transformation of his character from a carefree youth to a responsible person.
Preity Zinta?s role is not properly developed but whatever she does she is good in it.
Amitabh Bachchan looks misfit as the Colonel Damle but has given a good performance. Watch out for his actions and expressions when Hrithik achieves the target.
Sharad Kapoor, Boman Irani, Sushant Singh, Om Puri, Amrish Puri. Parmeet Sethi have all performed excellently.
TECHNICAL TEAM
Farhan has done excellent justice to his father?s script. Whether bringing out Karan?s carefree character, his transformation, setting his dilemma against the back drop of war situation, making Karan sport different looks to gel with the character and its changes, making film look authentic in terms of surroundings and locations, Farhaan?s signature style is all pervasive and very subtle.
Javed Akthar has made an excellent comeback to scriptwriting. Amalgamation of a fictitious character of Karan with the real incidents of Kargil war is excellently done. The story doesn?t appear jingoistic though it has a war backdrop to it. He has avoided over dramatization of scenes. That Javed has done an intense research for the movie can be well seen with the portrayal of army, the settings, the war facts, etc.
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy?s music is strictly average and there were no need for some songs in the second half. Except for Main Aisa Kyun Hoon and the title song, all other songs are ordinary.
Cinematographer Christopher Pop (of Hollywood) has brought alive Ladakh, Delhi, and Dehra Dun in the movie. But then any Indian cinematographer could have done the job and as good as Chris Pop.
CONCLUSION
The difference between Lakshya and DCH is chalk & cheese with respect to the theme. So don?t expect another DCH. Lakshya is enjoyable but at the same time it also makes us think. The movie gives us the message that the youth can fashion their own future through responsible action and vision. But having said that it is doubtful whether this movie will appeal to all section of audiences, particularly the masses.
Verdict: Go for it.
But your only Lakshya now should be to leave your comments :)
AMJAD K. MARUF
