Two things that catches the peoples attention in India are Cricket and Patriotism, rather Pakistan. we have seen two films made on these two different things. Both seem to be winners(at Box Office). But a more closer look would make clear that its Lagaan that is very well made and Gadar is very badly made.
The story is nothing new, and the treatment is pretty bad. For those who are not aware even now(dont think there are any), this is a story of a Sikh guy and Muslim girl background being the days of Partition. Rest is predictable. What amused me was the immature way this film was made. Every bit of the film seemed to be made to impress the front benchers. Since the story is about partition, it is bound to be successful with every segment of audience.
Coming to the casting and performances, Sunny has rather repeated his earlier performances. He is the one who seems to think that more he shouts, the better actor he is. He did that in Border, but since his role was of a Army officer, it suited perfectly. In this film though he did not do anything apart from shouting, shouting and more shouting. Next comes Amisha Patel. Its pity that film makers in India think that a female lead should cry to get a best actress award. They definitely seem to believe that more an actress cries, the better actress she is. I cannot recollect any scene(apart from few shots in the begining) where Amisha did not cry. This was not at all called for, her role could have been little better. Amrish Puri did what he does the best, villian’s role.
Music was good, but dont think it had the feel of any other period films. Other techinical aspects are just okay, nothing execptional or even good. I thought direction was poor.
A period film is known by its authenticity. I could not visualise the same authenticity that was there in Lagaan. I was also amused with Sunny’s beard. He has beard in one scene and in the next he doesnt. I could not see any logic behind that, unless each scene was seperated by months together. And also, could any one tell me if a Sikh can shave and grow his beard as and when he likes(Sorry, but I come from Southern part of India, though I know there are some modern Sikhs who cut their hair and beard).
All in all a pretty badly made film, and I think being an Indian, one cannot avoid this film, though I thought the anti Pakistan and anti India dialogues in second half could have been done away with. If you want to see some well made films on Partition, better watch ’’Train to Pakistan’’, ’’1947-Earth’’ and also ’’Shaheed-e-Mohabbat’’. Incidently, this film was inspired from Shaheed-e-mohabbat, which I thought was a well made film.