There have earlier been films, made in Bollywood, which depict lifestyle in Kashmir, such as ”Roja” and ”Mission Kashmir”.Now comes the latest film on Kashmir, named ”…Yahaan”.Everyone has lots of expectations from this small budget yet much awaited film.The trailors of this film have managed to attract everyone`s attentions and now it is to be seen that whether this film becomes a hit at the box-office or not.
Red Ice films. ”Yahaan”, directed by Shoojit Sircar, stars Jimmy Shergill, Minissha Lamba (introducing), Mukesh Tiwari, Yashpal Sharma and Dolly Ahluwalia.Making a film with newcomers or not-so-happening stars is always a bit risky but if the film is promoted well and if it is genuinely good, then it may work.The same can be said about this film.It has been promoted really well and it is also a fine movie but will it work?
”Yahaan” tells us the story of a Kashmiri girl Adaa (Minissha Lamba), who is a very fun-loving and a lively girl.She loves life and hates violence, fights and war-something she has been witnessing since her childhood and something she wants to get rid of.She is fed up of all the wars which take place in Kashmir daily.Her family members and everyone she knows in Kashmir loves her but she does something wrong, which is sinful, according to everyone, whom she knows.She falls in love with an Indian army officer Captain Aman (Jimmy Shergill), who is assigned the duty of protecting the citizens of Kashmir.It takes no time for Captain Aman to also fall in love with Adaa.Actually, theirs is a love in first sight, but with their love also comes lots of controversies and hatred.Adaa happens to be the sister of a Kashmiri terrorist, Shakeel Bhai (Yashpal Sharma).When Shakeel Bhai comes to know that his sister is in love with an Indian army officer he becomes the biggest enemy of their love and he wants Aman dead, at any cost.Shakeel Bhai captures Aman and very difficultly, Adaa manages to rescue Aman from Shakeel Bhai`s prison.Now begins a hide and seek game.Both Aman and Adaa have to disappear from the eyes of Shakeel Bhai and other of his partners otherwise their love story would come to an end, but little do the lovers know that there are more problems lying ahead.Major Rathod (Mukesh Tiwari), who is also an Indian army officer suspects that Adaa is actually fooling them and she is involved with her brother and all the Kashmiri terrorists but Aman has full faith in Adaa and doesn`t agree with Major Rathod.Everyone in the Indian army also suspects that Captain Aman might also be a terrorist and this creates lots of trouble for Aman.Now Adaa will prove Aman innocent, but how?And what about Adaa`s brother?What if he finds the two lovers?Will Aman and Adaa`s love story come to an end?For knowing that, watch the film.
Jimmy Shergill, gets a chance of being the solo hero of a film, after a long time and the actor gives a brilliant performance.He has handled his role very well and the role seems to be tailor-made for the actor.He looks every inch the army officer, Aman and his moustache look also suits him really well.
Minissha Lamba makes a wonderful debut and she shows that she has the potential of becoming a great actress.Very rarely do we see newcomers performing so well.The debutante actress does amazing justice to her role and her scene in the second half, especially are excellent.Here comes a talented new actress, whom you should watch out for.
Yashpal Sharma as the dangerous Shakeel Bhai also gives a remarkable performance.He has lots of screen presence and above all there is lots of terror in his personality, which was demanded by Shakeel Bhai`s character.Mukesh Tiwari and Dolly Ahluwalia (as Adaa`s grandmom), also lend able support.
Shoojit Sircar makes his debut as a director and does a fine job with this film.The first half is a bit slow and boring but the second half definitely consists of some well executed scenes.The confrontation scenes between Aman and Shakeel Bhai are quite interesting.Then, the scene where Major Rathod declares that he suspects Aman, that he is a terrorist is also well executed.The romance between Aman and Adaa and the relationship which develops between them, in the second half, is shown well, in a manner that you can relate with their characters.Coming to the flaws.The first half of the film is very boring, plus dragged too, which results in testing the viewer`s patience.There is lots of melodrama in several sequences like the scene where speakers are placed outside a mosque and a long speech is given by Adaa, looks a bit too unrealistic and the characters of the film in that particular sequence look like emotional fools.The climax is also very disappointing.Screenplay could have definitely been more gripping because there is no nail-biting sequence in this film, at all, which was very essential for a film like this one.Other than that, the problem with this film is that though you do relate with the feelings of both the lovers still you don`t really feel much for them.You don`t really feel like watching both of them unite, nor will you anxiously wait for seeing the lovers unite.Editing could have been a lot more crisper.The film drags a lot.Cinematography of the film is fantastic and each frame of the film looks really beautiful.The valleys of Kashmir have been captured on the camera, exquisitely.Shantanu Moitra`s music is good.”Naam Adaa Likhna”, a romantic song is definitely the best song of this film.”Urzu Urzu Durkut”, a Kashmiri song picturised on Minissha Lamba, looks cute.”Mele Chalna”, is also a well picturised song.
On the whole, ”Yahaan”, could have been a bit better had it not been so dragged or had there been some more interesting sequences but still the film is quite watchable and it`s a good/decent film, thanks to the wonderful performances by its actors and some interesting sequences.There is no harm in watching it once!