I was freaked out on the movie for like since November and have maintained countdown on various forums for the movie. Preity was one reason and Farhan the other. They are both my favorites and a representation of modern Indian youth. You can almost pencil in Hrithik Roshan who is my second favorite after Amir Khan. And if you top it up with a superb music, the excitement was definitely going to go over the top and did it for sure it did. So the movie lives upto expectations. Yes it does, definitely and even surpasses the expectations.
Its safe to say these things after the movie:
Hrithik-Preity will get their third hit together.
Farhan Akhtar is the Best Directorial Talent since Shekhar Kapoor.
Javed Saab is still the best screenplay writer.
Amitabh Bachan still has the gas left in him to add in the punch.
Lakshya - It will be tough to surpass this movie in 2004 and hence, look at all major awards going to this movie.
War movies wont be like they were any more.
Technical crew can indeed uplift a movie and emerge bigger heroes than reigning box office king and queen.
The movie and its story everyone knows so I will concentrate on the screenplay. It has a nice flitting in and out mode in first half and part of second half. The movie starts off in Kargil where new recruit Karan Shergill reports to the Punjab regiment. As he developes camraderie with his fellow mates, he sees his ex-flame on Television and goes into recount mode. Cut back to a little lacklustre but off and on easily flowing narrative of youngsters in Delhi. He somehow manages to clear Army at IMA (not explained how although his father is as surprised as we are, probably not many qualified people sit for Army entrance?). Preity instills some sense into a senseless Hrithik and from then on its Hrithik all the way. The screenplay in the second half wavers a bit but its all needed. You cant just go to climax straight in a complex tale like this. Preity has her two three scenes and she does well in them. Amitabh Bachan rocks the show in the climax scene.
Hrithik Roshan rocks the show with a superb performance. Although not as highly demanding a job as say KMG, he does well in the college scenes and also the character graph in second half, however, there is no continuity in character and almost two characters. He could have perhaps done more research on the graph or perhaps the screenplay could have made it more clear to him. The best scene for Hrithik is undoubtedly the climax although the hill climbing and some shots taken there are perhaps rather tough and if they are just special effects, they are well done.
Infact all the special effects are well done. Another scene Hrithik does well, is when he is undergoing training in the academy post Preity snub. His face conveys hurt and indiginity and silent resolve. He also does well when he later on chides Preity for being too dominating in their relationship and ofcourse the scene where he speaks to his dad over the phone.
Preity on the other hand, has almost negligible time in the second half but she shines through with her skin and delights you with her performance in first half and two scenes in the second. She does what is expected of her well, and does add to the star value of the show and more importantly adds to Hrithik’s character. Her best scene is the one when she breaks her engagement and also the one where she tells Hrithik she will wait for him through out her life. There was a very remarkable glow in Preity’s skin through out the movie. And Hrithik-Preity chemistry was all too evident despite the chemistry being of characters who dont always keep saying ’’I love you’’ all the time.
The scene on the bed, the scene when Hrithik comes back after eloping from Academy and the scene where Hrithik wants to hug Preity before going on final missions but cant, all tell you the tremendous chemistry at work. Amitabh Bachan has added the extra punch to the war story, with his superb controlled performance, which I rate better than Khakee, since he has done a lot more research on the role, right from his hair style, to moustache, clean shaven face, dressing, nuances and dialogue delivery. His last scene punch can give all Leander Paes of the world a run for their money.
He adds to the punch of the movie for sure and is definitely not a glorified extra but a very strong supporting role. Others who deserve mention are Boman Irani in a superb scene where Hrithik talks to him (I had tears in my eyes then), Sushant Singh, in a well acted role and I particularly like the guy from TV soaps who was one of the officers. Om Puri has not much to do but does well in one scene in limited dialogues.
Lakshya - the word is lakshya, the word is tranformation and the word is conviction. An aimless guy aims high, literally. What aids the film apart from star presence is the technical crew which has done a job not seen in any movie since Dil Se. Cinematography is almost out of this world. There is this breathtaking scene of Hrithik and 5 more officers climbing the steep hill, around 6 minutes of that scene are alone worth the price of the ticket.
Its the best shot scene in Indian Film Industry for sure. Another scene done well is the climax of Lakshya song, where Hrithik graduates. Very very well done. The first scene itself as the jeep navigates the curves of Kashmir, tells you this movie is class. Editing is a bit lax in second half and can trim about 10 minutes but the slow pace works to the benefit of the movie as you cant expect tension 3 full hours. Screenplay is very very good and story well developed, although I feel Farhan has taken liberties with the screenplay. Dialogues are natural and well contained. Background score is of international standards and the characters look fetching in their make ups and well done personalities.
Directiorially, Farhan Akhtar establishes himself with a heavy foot in the industry. This is the talent who will define Indian cinema and set benchmarks. He is the best director based in India ... period. The way he develops and tells the story and takes his shots, mortals would almost believe its not possible. But it is and through out the movie, Impossible spells I’m possible has taken roots.
The movie is not art cinema and I am glad it is not. It works within the constraints of the commercial cinema and comes out trumps. The word in your head after the movie is Who Shot the movie and Who Directed the movie. The movie is not about Main Aisa Kyun Hun or Agar Main Kahoon. Its about Hrithik and its about how Hrithik is the Best Actor Superstar in the making and its about Preity’s third hit in a row with Hrithik and individually.
It marks a new direction in Indian cinema where special effects cant be noticed, they are so real, where director does not brow down to commercial diktats but does not make an art movie, where the movie experience is of pan international standards in every possible way.
Watch it, I wont term it a classic just as yet, let it sink down, its not far from it though.