For a nation starved of quality cinema, KANK is like a dream come true. If you overlook the melodrama in the last few reels of the film, KANK may well classify as a classic entertainer with brilliant performances, outstanding music and superb production values .More than anything, it is the concept that is going to blow you away.
Shah Rukh’s a failed football player whose marriage to Preity Zinta has lost its fizz. In fact, he’s a bitter and temperamental man who not only makes an insecure husband to his successful wife, but also a tyrannical father to their little son.
In another part of the same city, Rani Mukherjee marries her childhood friend Abhishek Bachchan but feels little passion towards him although he’s nuts about her. Shah Rukh and Rani find love in each other’s arms and embark upon an affair that is sure to leave too many people shattered.
The film reels off at a steady space keeping you glued to the screen. Unlike some films, KANK does not allow your mind to drift away even for a second.The friction between the two couple is beautifully established right from the beginning.
As a director Karann makes his finest film till date.The film is a sensitive, realistic and hard hitting tale and Karan tells the story just like that! His narrative in the film is brilliant right from the start and the film unfolds in a birds eye view as the viewer feels like they are actually PART of the proceeding .The characters are all real .
Some of the sequences haunt you much after the film is over: SRKs complex state of mind after his disability and his confrontation scenes with Preity is incredible. The scene in the hospital is worth a mention. Full marks to KJ for a deft screenplay.
Perhaps the only problem with the film lies in its script and maybe trimming it would have helped.In the second half, the script stumbles. And then comes the worst part — the climax. The climax is so amateur that it dilutes the whole film’s impact.
All the performances are top class — Rani is an absolute delight. Amitabh is in super form. Preity looks beautiful and conveys the inner dilemmas of her character quite well. But her character could have been given more substance by not making her a mere rude wife.Abhi not only acts well but also radiates a decent screen presence.
But KANK really belongs to SRK. It’s his best performance to date. Khan showcases a plethora of emotions, all in right doses and walks away with the honour.
Technically the film is superb. The films look gels in perfectly with the films theme and story and full credit must be given to Anil Mehta for his splendid camerawork and colours.Editing could have been slicker.
If KANK falls short of being a masterpiece, it’s only due to the few howlers in the latter half.But for Hindi cinema, it’s a big step forward.