24
Karan Johar has accomplished what Aditya Chopra could not. Kurbaan is what New York, or for that matter, Fanaa, should have ideally been. Hats off to Karan for producing the most non-KJO movie as yet. Kurbaan is the best movie of the year, as far as meaningful cinema goes.
Kurbaan starts off as a very realistic love story, but soon turns into a gripping thriller, with lots of twists and drama, and is embellished with bravura performances. I will refrain from giving any details on the story; lets just say that the story is exactly what the trailers have shown. Its the screenplay and the realistic treatment which makes the film really a gem.
Rensil has very audaciously chosen Dharma Productions for making a movie like Kurbaan, which is devoid of any subplots, romantic interludes, or dream songs. This movie has a sharp focus, which stays till the end. The movie hits you hard without being preachy or taking sides. It etches out the psyche of a terrorist in a way that no Bollywood movie has done in a while. And it does so without any bhashans, melodrama, or flashbacks!
Technically, it felt like I was watching a Ridley Scott terrorism thriller. The camerawork, background score, and locales are spot on. Dialogues are vintage Anurag Kashyap – they pierce your heart. Sample this: An American student tells Vivek: Leave my Country, if you dont like it. Vivek retorts “Sure we will, first you leave ours (Vivek’s a Muslim)”
This is best performance by Saif since Ek Haseena Thi. Forget Langda Tyagi, this is probably his toughest role, where he has to look like a typical hero, who’s actually a terrorist. Saif has really portrayed the role very well. While his charms conceal his real identity, his eyes and mannerisms clearly spell his purpose. Kareena is Saif’s antithesis, and she portrays the flips side of terrorism. She delivers yet again, only wished that she had more screen time!
Vivek is a real scene stealer, and a revelation! This is his return to form. If Company was raw intensity, this one is refined rage. Vivek’s supporting turn should fetch him an award for sure! The rest of the cast also do well, with Kirron Kher standing out in the climax.
To sum up, Kurbaan has revived the gritty terrorism genre which was dormant since Dil Se. It might seem preposterous to say so, but Mani Ratnam will be proud of Rensil after seeing this film. Rensil has equalled all his classics, if not bettered them! Three cheers!
There Are 24 Responses So Far. »
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Yeah RAJ..also hope that the movie shapes up well..and sticks to the topic of cricket instead of some other stupid ...
Raju Guide..
may be with depleting bowling prowess of Indian team Akki ight be of some help... 
the link is broken Raju G 
Akshay might bounce back big time this year.. Somehow I see Housefull doing more business than Welcome.. And Action Replay ...
Thankfully with MNIK ending its run and 3 I too, hopefully Bollywood will get 1.5 years without these 2, the ...
Can we replace MNIK twitter with Karthik calling Karthik? 
Pritam is doing the music of Action Replay. I do like Vipul Shah, and he has done some interesting ...
Hope you had fun yesterday Tango with Holi. No chutti for the press, so celebrated with hot jalebis at office. 
Kya baat hai...kya baat hai.....kya baat hai....ABZEE BHAI.
Good choice,i'm looking forward to ALICE IN WONDERLAND and BROOKLYN'S FINEST.
Also eagerly waiting ...
Som 19 November 2009
06:08:37 pm
Nice Devesh ! I’ll be catching it soon.
Angels and Belds 19 November 2009
07:16:19 pm
dev – thats a great mini review.
u know – i am really really happy to read about Vivek. Thats one actor who i thought had lot of potential. Unfortunately success and Ash got to his head and he just disintegrated. As an actor – I feel he is far better than abhishek, hrithik and the others of his gen. Btw – i must say that Karan is proving to be a great moviemaker.
As much as the candy floss genre of KKHH and K3G were rubbished (even tho they were blockbusters) – look at what has come from his stable
KHNH, KANK, Wake up Sid, Dostana and now this – I think he is probably the best moviemaker overall in Bollywood. Damn – when are the MNIK promos coming – cant wait to see them.
Gorilla 19 November 2009
07:34:49 pm
I am surprised as i never liked the promo and felt that the movie lacked commercial value. I may still be right but looking at the reviews so far, this movie sounds a decent flick.
I think Karan as a producer has shown far more maturity and risk.
MNIK indeed becomes a movie to watch out for now.
Angels and Belds 19 November 2009
07:37:24 pm
>>I am surprised as i never liked the promo
thats what happens if you watch too many akshay movies
Gorilla 19 November 2009
07:55:51 pm
‘thats what happens if you watch too many akshay movies ‘
well not really, wednesday and newyork, kind of finished my appetite for these anti-terror flicks (not my favourite genre any way).
Akshay’s movies are something like an unquenched thirst for crores of people like me. One still feels like seeing more and more of it aeap. No wonder it opens big all the time.
Som 19 November 2009
08:06:08 pm
Overall, Kurbaan is a fascinating watch and arguably the best Dharma Productions film this decade. Forget comparisons with New York, this ones much better. Go for it.
INDICINE REVIEW
Som 19 November 2009
08:09:08 pm
If the film is good as some of the reviews are claiming, it is a refreshing change on the part of Dharma Productions I must say. It started with KANK even if it was a half-hearted attempt, Wake Up Sid I thought was well made and now Kurbaan (assuming it is).
Som 19 November 2009
08:12:11 pm
Unlike Khuda Ke Liye where you could sense the filmmaker’s urge to put forward a point, Kurbaan is a `terrorist flick’, where the Kareena-Saif chemistry will be better liked and talked about than the film’s content. Sample Kurbaan if you can forgive the director’s `filmy’ take on terrorism and can enjoy the thrilling moments and superb performances nevertheless.
More HERE
rks 19 November 2009
09:10:01 pm
Som – I had similar thoughts after watching Newyork..I think it would be better, based on reviews but sify review is giving me hints…
Gorilla 19 November 2009
09:26:22 pm
I am getting a feeling that reviews are more ‘accomodating’ in this case. I hope the fil is more of a thriller than a love story.
RAJ 19 November 2009
09:40:22 pm
It is point to notice that Non of the Dhrma production movies have flopped since KKHH…
KKHH(ATBB)
K3G(Superhit)
KAAL(Avg)
KHNH(Hit)
KANK(Semi hit to Hit)
Dostana(Semi Hit to Hit)
WUS(Semi Hit)
Lets see what Qurban has in store..
RAJ 19 November 2009
09:41:11 pm
I saw the Rocket Singh song yesterday..The song was nice and i am sure another success in store for Ranbir…
Gorilla 19 November 2009
09:44:59 pm
Raj, your list of films from dharma also shows that in terms of BO, it’s going down- starting with ATBB and ending with semi-hit/average.
RAJ 19 November 2009
09:49:20 pm
Gorilla…
Yes..it has been a case of diminishing returns…But i dont think ant other production house have this type of a successful record not even UTV…
Secondly KJ is definitely making a concsious effort to dish out some different kind of movies and genres…So credit should be given where its due…For long he has been a favorite punching bag of pseudo-intllectuals…
devesh 19 November 2009
11:23:07 pm
Beld / Som – Thanks!
If WUS and Kurbaan are any indications to go by, KJO is certainly progressing as a producer. From KHNH and Dostana (which seemed like ghost directed by him!), he has moved on to WUS/Kurbaan which are drastically different from his type of movie. So Kurbaan only increases my respect for him. While all movies of YRF look the same – very YRFish… Karan is making sure that Dharma just produces the film, does not design its look and content to be Dharmaish!
And this one should be watched in cinemas – worth it, even though some scenes were cut here in Dubai! I wonder how much more hard hitting it would have been with those scenes!
Yakuza 19 November 2009
11:32:49 pm
“If WUS and Kurbaan are any indications to go by, KJO is certainly progressing as a producer”
Agree, But seriously wish him progress as a director too (MINIK is quite promising in this direction though). I hope he will not indulge in more Lavish songs and Family hangover this time. MNIK is serious theme and should be escapist cinema from KJO blueprints [though KANK was also brilliant/serious theme went wrong by blunder screenplay]
Wondering After Khuda Ke Liye, NewYork and Kurbaan, MNIK will follow same route/theme. This is million dollar question that after watching so many terrorism based movies rooted in Newyork, do audience really interested any more for same theme again and again. Also wondering why KJO chose two scripts of same theme in successive releases ?
devesh 19 November 2009
11:35:14 pm
Going on and on about Kurbaan will kill the charm for you. But here’s a sample of how the movie is. Vivek Oberoi retorts to an American student who dares Muslims to get out of the US “I will get out of your country as soon as you get out of ours.”
This does not mean the film is a treatise on terrorism, it does not really say anything you did not know (and you cannot miss the similarities with New York and Fanaa [ Images ]).
But even if it is a known story, it is a story well told.
Go watch Kurbaan, explore it, find your own points to agree, disagree, endorse, enjoy, debate and be angry about.
Either way, you definitely cannot walk out without the film leaving an impression on you. And a strong one at that.
http://movies.rediff.com/repor.....-smart.htm
Rediff Reviewer highlights the same diaogue that I did
devesh 19 November 2009
11:41:45 pm
“I am surprised as i never liked the promo and felt that the movie lacked commercial value. I may still be right but looking at the reviews so far, this movie sounds a decent flick.”
Gorilla, I went in because there was no other movie playing, with nil expectations! You should watch it with nothing in mind – and i am sure you will appreciate it!
cticize 20 November 2009
12:08:42 am
I found it engaging and better off than Fanaa and NY but i felt been there done that kinds in the movie.
devesh 20 November 2009
12:24:18 am
cticize – The difference here is that there are no flashbacks spoonfeeding the reasons behind the character’s motivations, thereby trying to manipulate the viewer into sympathizing. In fact, this is what i liked the most, I dint sympathize or feel sad about any of the terrorists dying, which I kind of did in New York and Fanaa. This movie does not does not justify terrorism in any way, yet it makes the point very clearly. Kirron Kher’s simple retelling of the various backstories in 5 minutes is enough to identify with the characters’ motivations, yet not approve it!
sandy 20 November 2009
03:01:35 am
I’m sorry I don’t agree Devesh
This is on the same level as Kaal for me in fact! And I dare say, this will flop.
sandy 20 November 2009
03:06:56 am
Forget progressing, whatever hope I saw with Dharma and K Jo with WUP has evaporated into thin air with Kurbaan! KANK was half-baked, but it was still an honorable failure. You shouldn’t attempt something serious (for the sake of it) when you do not have a focus or a voice to offer IMO.
Gorilla 20 November 2009
03:52:43 am
I think Kurbaan’s comparision with New York is going to be its hindrance to success. New York had young, refreshing cast and a nice screenplay that helped viewers to connect with the story.
cticize 20 November 2009
03:58:03 am
& Gorilla if you see the climax, its like the same. Only the target of destruction is different, one having FBI building ..the other having…Subways.