Aug 15, 2016 07:17 AM
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We are at Independence Day weekend, and a movie that brings or tries to inflict little patriotism is always welcomed. Wagah, the name itself tells us that we are in for some patriotic love with a heart-felt story. But it doesn’t stand close to it. Director GNR Kumaravelan presents a script that is confused, should it be patriotic or romance?
What scratches me more is that when we are at a juncture where our ties with the neighbouring country has reached new low, and Kashmir is burning due to it, Kumaravelan tilts over the top by grotesque presentation of Pakistani soldier, downright inhuman. Somewhere it hurts to see someone who is supposed to be unprejudiced bringing these emotions in his creation.
The story is of a non-ambitious guy Vasu(Vikram Prabhu), who joined NCC in his school time and later on BSF because he gets free booze. He weighs what can go wrong when the wars are fought far and few at times. He turns patriotic when he is captured by Pakistani patrolling team, when found wandering around the border with his fair maiden Khanum(Ranya Rao). On a brief visit to her grandfather who elected to stay back in India during 1947, although his wife and others had ventured on the other side. And their love flourishes in a typical love-at-first-sight kind. This is the time, when you think that the movie may turn into romantic story or thread towards the patriotic lines. But Kumaravelan doesn’t seem to be interested. And the plot loses its identity.
Upon thinking, the love story would not have flourished so much with Tamilian vs Kashmiri story. How is he supposed to woo her? Language barrier or something should be so restrictive. But the movie in the beginning states disclaimer that the movie is in Tamil to make accessible to local audiences. Further I lose the sense of logic, and I keep losing the strands of sense.
This slacker is seen working up his patriotic side and decides he wants to free himself and rush back to his love, but he doesn’t want to leave his fellow Indian inmates at mercy of brute Pakistani soldiers. Still, this brings a feel that we are going to watch a patriotic movie, and yet again the hope crumbles.
The movie opens at Vasu being incarcerated in Pakistani cell, so I don’t have to say that this movie is in flashback. But what doesn't make logic is how the director wants audience to turn in suspense if we already know that Vasu is captured? Losing sense, again.
In short, Kumaravelan fails to decide what he wants to evoke from this movie, romance or patriotism, and so the movie loses its plot and essence. But there is a scene where Vasu fisting with Pakistani soldier and throws away the gun he is holding(why?). Still trying to stir that patriotic fervour?
Well, it’s better to watch Border or Gadar to get that patriotic feeling or romance during partition. Dodge this one.
