Dear Betu
Hope this one puts you in the same realism which I feel while writing this letter. Remember when you told me about “Motorcycle diaries”? A movie by Walter Salles based on the book with the same name, about two friends and their journey of revelation. And as you finished narrating me the story I promised we will go on similar journey somewhere in ‘Brazil’. Today I feel the same desperation, an urge to go on a journey where we can discover “ourself” a journey which can transform our being, changes our thought process and give a new dimension of ‘ living’.
Now you will wonder why out of blue I am talking all this crap.. the usual “preachy side” of mine which you hate the most. But what to do, I am in this mode and you have to bear with me for sometime atleast. So budz.. I happened to watch a premiere of a movie called “Heroes”, which is loosely based on the same concept of ‘motorcycle diaries’. Mind it, only the concept… and it’s a story of again “Two Friends” … carefully chosen characters Ali aka“Nawab Saheb” played by Vatsal Sheth and Sammy aka “Shaandd” (OX ka hindi beh) played by Sohail khan. Ali and Sammy are typically two spoilt brat (just like you and me) who could not clear their graduation course in Film Institute and thus are asked to make a documentary to clear their results. After the brain storming session with friends they decide they will make a documentary on “Why not to join an Army”. Sammy girlfriend (Played by Amrita Arora) comes forward for a rescue and suggests them to meet her cousin brother who is a reporter at some new channel. When they meet her cousin brother (played by Mohnish Behl), he gives them three letters. These letters are handed over to him, when he was interviewing the ‘Soldiers’ heading for the war. He explains that while they will deliver these letters they themselves will know why they should not join Army.
Ali and Sammy began their journey from Delhi to Amritsar and then Manali to Ladhakh. Three letter belonged to the soldiers played by “Salman” (balkar singh), “Bobby Deol” (Dhananjay Shergil) and “Dino Moreo”(Sahil Nqvi). Ali and sammy meet the family of each soldier, living through a different set of pains but with the similar PRIDE or GARV. They realise that none of the family member’s are sorry about the loss but rather they are ‘proud’ and if given a chance can sacrifice their husband/Son for the nation “Bharat”.
Well, they do complete their documentary but probably not on the same lines … or the same thoughts … They do finish their journey but probably they are no more the same Happy-Go-Lucky dudes. Sammy is no more the weirdo for whom, life is nothing but a Joke and Ali is no more the quite lost soul. Transformation was expected but how it happens is worth a watch at least once.
You know that I have hated the flicked concepts movies earlier. So at the beginning I was a little apprehensive thinking I am going to hate this one too. But I was wrong; movie was not bad at all. I agree to a fact that editing by Sanjay Sankla wasn’t great and towards the end it did drag a little too much.
Performances are notable; esp Preity Zinta in the role of Salman’s widow(Kuljeet Kaur) has done a perfect balance and doesn’t look artificial at all. Salman who played a role of a sardar never looked mismatched to the character. Though Sunny Doel (Vikram Shergill) looks irritating in his opening scenes he manages later, he was typically him breaking arm and legs and shouting at his best. Bobby and Dino cameo were okay. Mithun Da was at his best in the role of Dino’s helpless father (Dr. Naqvi) who is angry with the fact that “Dino” broke his promise of returning home. Other character artists were at their best. Sohail and Vatsal were a good choice for the role and they did carry the movie well. Though Sohails dramatically disappoint when he cries but you will not mind it.
Samir Karnik, director of the movie has been the assistant director of ‘Kareeb’ and has given notable useless movies like “Kyu Ho gaya na” and “Nanhe Jaisalmer”. He has written the script along with writer Aseem Arora. Though I would not give him any credit for the movie with the star cast that the movie had anyone could have directed.
Locales throughout the journey are beautiful; needless to say cinematographer Gopal shah & Binod Pradhanhave done a good work.
Music by Sajid Wajid, Monty Sharma is average and you will only remember the “Mannata” song for long. Sonu Nigam and Kavita have truly crooned it well. Rests of the songs are very average to be even mentioned.
Honestly, I don’t know the purpose behind making the movie as its publicity was pretty bad. But it surprises you; some of the scenes raise your gooseflesh. The scenes worthy a mention are:
~Scene where Sammy is flying kites with Salman’s son (jassi) and the kites drops behind a Iron gate. Ali wants to jump and get the Kite and jassi reminds “Woh Pakistan hai” .. and Ali exclaims “Pakistan to ekdum India jaisa hai” .. It left me awestruck.
~Scene where Vikram Shergil, who by now has lost his legs in a war sees the fighter planes and tries following them on his ‘wheel chair’ till he could and then turns and say “bahut si cheeje hai jo mai nahi kar sakta” … it brings tears to see a helplessness of a soldier to serve his nation.
~Scene where Ali and Sammy take lift in an Army truck. As they board the front seat they ask what’s being carried in the truck. The driver replies “Soldier” – they turn with a chirpy smile to salute them only to realise that it’s their dead bodies.
Budz, it’s not the first time that I am feeling a little charged up watching a movie. I remember I had a huge effect of “RDB” for almost a month. I will not compare this one with RDB for sure and neither would rate it at all with any such movies … but I would call it a very simple attempt to convey a message without being preachy in an effective way. And I am confident about this as I noticed quite many “Dudes” wiping the tear from the corner of their eyes at various scenes of the movie and looked thoughtful as they walked out of the theatre.
For a moment I wished my “to-do list” would have had anything for the nation rather than Horse Riding, Paragliding, Tattoo, Tongue piercing and owning a Ferari. . .
But before I could demean myself further, they flashed a Quote in the end of the movie
“You don’t have to join an Army to do something for your nation” … and I know what I can do for my nation… I hope you find it soon.
Take Care
Me.
P.S: I am glad our life isn’t over … neither our promise of a journey together... nor our chance of being better.