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Lakshya -A Review
Lakshya is a gripping war movie, unlike anything that has emerged from the formula brew that Bollywood unimaginatively stews. Its context is historical but it story is pure entertainment. The movie centers on Karan Shergill (Hrithek Roshan), a decent rich college kid who is pretty sure about what he does not want to do, not work with this father to expand the family business, for example. What he is not sure about is what he would like to do. To make matters worse, it so happens that Karan’s college friend Romi (Preity Zinta), the girl he intends to marry, knows exactly what she wants to do - become a journalist. Karan’s lack of ‘lakshya’ in life is a source of concern for his and Romi’s family. The parental and peer pressure haunts Karan who for want of anything better to do decides to sign up for the Indian Military Academy (IMA). Romi is surprised but Karan's father (Boman Irani), who has a strained relationship with his wayward son, is livid that his son has spurned his advise to join the family business.
Karan surprises himself and his parents by clearing the selection process and actually making it to the Academy. His father, not convinced that Karan has it in him to be an army officer predicts to Karan’s mother that Karan will quit IMA within days. The tough training at IMA and Karan’s lack of focus repeatedly land him in trouble at IMA. Despite a lot of encouragement from his course mates, Karan does what his father predicted he would do – quits the academy! Karan does not consider his quitting a humiliation. On his return, he meets with Romi expecting to resume his relationship with her. However, Romi is shocked by Karan quitting so easily and lashes out at him. She frankly tells him that she would not like to marry a quitter.
The violation of the LOC that occurred in April 1999 follow and form the backdrop of the drama that ensues and encompasses how Karan makes up with his estranged love as well as father as he discovers himself and pursues his Lakshya. What follows is fast paced, purposeful action that keeps you on the edge of your seats. Action that elicited Swadesh, a close friend with whom I watched the movie, to opine that after having learnt all the tricks from Hollywood, Bollywood is now ready to teach Hollywood some things! Score Card
The first thing that strikes you about the movie is the powerful visuals - they emote! For example, the opening scene conveys a lot more than what it just shows. The composition of scenes breaks the norm in a positive way. I for one will look forward to any future bollywood releases with German cinematographer Christopher Popp. The slick story and screenplay by Javed Akhtar are well executed by his son Farhan Akhtar, the director. Farhan extracts authentic performances from almost his entire cast. So much about this movie reminds me of Sholay yet the only tenuous links between the two are Javed and Amiitab In my opinion, Sholay was the best action film ever, till Lakshay came along. There is no denying, however, that Lakshya lacks the mass appeal of Sholay. The films authentic portrayal of life in IMA and regiments is refreshing and a first after Vijeyta. The camaraderie amongst officers and life in the officers mess of a company located in the forward area are well depicted. Farhan appears to have done well by engaging retired military officers as advisers. I wish all bollywood directors called to direct movies that focus on life in the service would make the use of military advisors an SOP. Characterization is superb. Romi’s character, modeled on NDTV journalist Barkha Dutt, easily conveys her no nonsense purposefulness in life. There is a tinge of humor latent in how the director conveys that every morning is just another morning for Karan of the pre – lakshya days. The strong character and helplessness of Col. Sunil Damle, as he endeavors to live up to the traditions of his regiment against near insurmountable odds is well conveyed. How the Stars Fare Amitabh has a limited role in which he gives a restrained but outstanding performance conveying his anguish and pride well. The film largely revolves around Preity and Hrithik. Both do a good job and act their roles rather than be hero and heroine I would be willing to bet that Hrithik had to be restrained by the military advisors in has portrayal. Soldiers, after all are not heroes, they are ordinary men who are called upon to perform heroic deeds. They are brave men, not because they know no fear but because they don’t let fear come in their way. In some places Hrithik conveys that in others he doesn’t. Om Puri fits his role of the regiments Subedar Major as a glove. Performances by Sharad Kapoor, Raj Zutshi, Shushant Singh, Prashant Chainani, Nawab Shah, Boman Irani, Abir Goswami and Sanjay M Singh are convincing. Lakshay is an outstanding film using any yardstick. It is film that should make any Indian proud. I saw it in a theatre in Atlanta this weekend. Going by the rather modest number of people viewing the show I am inclined to believe the movie may not be a great success story. Let us say I am not surprised. I believe the Indian settled in the US are Asian Indians or East Indian, not Indians. As far as Indian go anyone who does not see this movie does not deserve to see this movie!
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