Version 2.0 8/10/2001
It’s funny how the film industry refuses to recognise the merits of any movie until it has succeeded at the box-office. Just like the Emperor’s new clothes. Nothing there but you cant help praising it because everyone else is. So many great films ( Dil se, Fiza, Maachis, etc) were written off just because they didn’t do well at the box office, while some films with nothing extraordinary ( Mohabbatien , KKHH, KNPH etc) are called as ’’masterpieces’’ just because a lot of people went to see them. Unfortunately, Dil Se falls int the former category.
Until I saw this movie , I thought that Shah Rukh was no good as an actor, especially with films such as Karan Arjun . But I changed my mind after seeing this film and can safely say that this is definitely one of his better films. In fact this even outclasses his performance in Mohabbatein and KKHH. God knows how he won best actor for KKHH and not this one.
This is probably the best terrorist-theme movie after ’’Maachis’’. This is one movie that has it all! Great Music, Great director and great actors! It takes those ’’feel good’’ movies by the ears and gives them a good thrashing. One wonders why it didn’t do much better!
Shah Rukh plays the role of a reporter for AIR ( All India Radio). He is supposed to be interviewing the leader of a terrorist group in the north east. Somehow, he falls in love with Manisha ( a suicide bomber). Gradually, the part ways, but Shah Rukh cant get her out of his mind, even though he is already engaged. Gradually, they get together again (though not in the best of circumstances) and what follows is truly unexpected....
The camera work in this movie is truly amazing. What else can you expect from Santosh. Form the mountains of Laddhak to the Backwaters of Kerela , everything looked picture perfect. ( excuse the pun) The picturisation of the songs is also amazing. Watch out for ’tu hi tu’and ’’Chainya Chainya’’, breathtaking!
The best thing about this film is of course it’s music. I’d rate this as Rahman’s best work. Who wont feel shaken after hearing sonu nigam’s voice in ’’tu hi tu’’, which is picturised in Laddhak leaves a powerful impact on the eyes and the ears.
On the other hand , the story was a little weak in some places, and the sudden change of locations during the film was a little hard to swallow. Other than that there were not many flaws. The only other major drawback is the ending, which I found a little disappointing.
Overall I recommend you see this film. Makes everything else look like amateur work. All you ’’feel-good’’ directors out there should watch your backs