I’ve probably watched this movie a half dozen times and still it moves me. It’s theme is the age-old love across borders.
The leads, Shahrukh Khan and Preity Zinta reignite the chemistry they shared in Kal Ho Naa Ho (without a third party this time) to bring you a love story that will touch the hearts of everyone who watches it. Preity and SRK look great together, almost as much as he and Kajol did back in the day.
Veer Pratap Singh (now known as Prisoner 786 aka Rakesh Rathod) (SRK), has been rotting in a Pakistani prison for the last twenty two years for a crime of which he is innocent. He hasn’t defended himself since his incarceration for if he does, he will hurt the one he loves the most - Zaara Hayat Khan (Preity).
Saamiya Siddique (Rani Mukerji), a young Pakistani lawyer has been given Veer’s case as her first. After getting Veer to talk - something that hasn’t happened in a long time - she becomes determined to help him get exonerated. He tells her his story -
Veer met Zaara, Pakistani on a rescue mission in India. After helping her fulfill her Bebe’s (nanny) dying wish, he asks her to accompany him on a visit to his adopted parents’ (special appearance by Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini) home.
After Zaara wins their hearts, Veer realizes that she has won his heart too, but he is shattered when he learns that they can never be together since she’s engaged to someone else. As they say goodbye, they find that it is harder than they thought.
Back at home in Pakistan, Zaara finds it hard to forget Veer. She confides in Shabbo her maid (Divya Dutta) and Shabbo, who can’t bear to see Zaara in pain, calls Veer to come quickly to rescue Zaara once more...
He answers Shabbo’s call and sacrifices everything to be with Zaara, but when he gets there he realizes how serious the situation really is. Zaara’s father is a wealthy man who is hoping to get into politics. To do so, he needs the support of another wealthy man whose son is engaged to Zaara. His political aspirations relies on Zaara’s marriage to this man.
After much thought, the star-crossed lovers agree to part so that her family’s name can be upheld. However, Raza Shiraazi (Manoj Bajpai), Zaara’s fiance can’t get over the fact that Zaara loves someone else so he sets Veer up to take the fall for a crime. He blackmails Veer by telling him that if he doesn’t go along with his plan, he will make life hell for Zaara. So Veer agrees. After the bus that Veer was supposed to get on crashes, Zaara believes Veer to be dead.
Saamiya decides that she will everthing in her power to see that justice is done. In her quest for Veer’s exoneration, she makes a startling discovery...
This was such a beautiful movie in every sense - the story, the cinematography, the music, the acting, everything. The best songs were Lodi, Do Pal, Main Yahaan Hoon and the haunting Tere Liye. It will leave you touched by the power of eternal love.