I didnt have any expectations while I was going to this movie, rather I decided it would be boring and was ready to take a nap.
What Kind of a movie is this?
Its an out and out art movie or rather I’d call it a documentary. The movie starts with a brief, not very lengthy history of Afghanisthan, how it was destroyed by US and what happened to the Pakisthanis, those who occupied Afghanisthan in the name of Talibans, who sucked the already dead city Kabul. The movie throws light as to how the Talibans treated the women, they beat them when they were seen outside, and they were made to beg.
After the 9/11 incident the US attacks the country, it is when the Talibans abandon the country and run for their life back to the Pakisthani Army. The US supports the Pakisthan in this attempt to take back the Talibans, but unfortunately for them, few still remain in Kabul. Now these Talibans are beaten to death by the Afghans for the way they had parasited their country.
Reporters Arshad and John (I dont remember their names, they are of less importance anyway) find their way to make a cover story on the Afghanisthan and Talibans. They meet this Taliban, who is on his escape route to Pakisthani camp. But since there is threat from the Afghans, he chooses these Indians to help him find his way to the Pakisthani camp.
On the way, they realize that being a Taliban, having a daughter who is also treated like other women, how deeply he suffers inside. Finally they help him in reaching his destination, but as he approaches the camp, he is mistaken for an Afghan by the US led Pakisthan Army at the camp. The US army guy orders him to shoot him, and thats how he looses his life in the hands of his own fellowmen.
This non-commercial movie focuses on the miserable and pitiable situation, Pakisthan is in today regarding Afghanisthan, how it gets deceived by the US. Today, Pakisthan has support of Afghanisthan but it should realize this support is not a support at all, but is a bait, for bigger fish.
From the director’s perspective, this was a good attempt to make the point across. There is a bit comedy at the start just to keep the audience in their seats in the hall.
As far as the performances are concerned, John fails badly and Arshad fares much better.
Atleast he has a little comedy to bank himself on. John needs to improve his dialogue delivery, his earlier movie Baabul, also lacked that. At this rate he can call himself a hunk, but not an actor.
The cinematography is simply superb, the landscapes are breath-taking. And of course the background score suits the movie, complimenting the sandy portrait of the Afghanisthan.