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Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Om Puri, Kirron Kher
Director: Renzil D’silva
Stars: *1/2
The tag line of the film’s title reads, ‘Some love stories have blood on them’ but where is the love story? It has a lot of blood of course, but is wasted on a terror drama that is both predictable and vacuous. Kurbaan borrows elements from New York and the initial parts, shot in Delhi, is reminiscent of Fanaa. But this Karan Johar produced film neither has the prim liveliness of a Fanna nor does it engage you like New York. There is an utter sense of deja vu and ennui to the story. And what makes it unbearable is that debutant director Rensil D’silva approaches the script with high seriousness, inserting arty-looking visuals and creating a forced sense of drama (the last scene where Kareena cries out looks like a farce ) when the film has clearly nothing new to say.
The film’s subject once again points at the circle of violence concerning America vis a vis Islamic nations. But it has no fresh insights to offer, nor can the film make up its mind whether it wants to go ahead with the terrorism theme or milk the presence of ‘it’ couple, Saif and Kareena. The much-talked about backless scene and kissing scenes have no resonance with the rest of the story. In fact, the passion and simmering chemistry that Saif-Kareena (over) exude in the beginning looks rather unnecessary in the context of the story.
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I see them every year in Manali.
But recently a few have re-appeared in my town. 
Housefull ATTBB,
BOI claimed 43 cr for SIK and 45 cr for RNBDJ..Then they cgnaged it to 39 cr for SIK ...
Agreed that Akki movies have been below par stuff since some time but Karan should also first make better movies.
As ...
stop joking ihab.BOI said 43.77 crores for sik and 42 crores for rnbdj.Then they changed all the numbers.This was discussed ...
This year Akshay will give a reply to his distractors. While Karan's friends have started deserting his camp (Read Farha ...
Ihab
its ok.i did not find lakshya engaging enough.i liked it in parts.It was too slow and boring in second half. 
" Ihab,since you like Hrithik, would you like to elaborate on you watching Krrish 16 times in Theatres . "
Lol, ...
From being most common bird to their total disappearance from cities within a very short span of time (last 10-15 ...
what i comment about is my prerogative manoj - whether it disturbs you or not isnt my concern :-) 
ăbzee 20 November 2009
08:39:35 pm
A well-written review, if a tad fat in the middle. But it gets to the point right at the onset…letting you know what the critic has felt about the film before going on to explain the plot, etc.
ăbzee 20 November 2009
08:40:04 pm
Guys, the BO story that is keeping me interested at the moment is that of 2012. The film, in its English, Hindi and regional versions, has amassed a total of Rs 15-16 crores nett, and a gross of around Rs 20-22 crores! This is mind-boggling stuff for an English film release in India. In fact, most exhibitors in cities refused to cut down on the number of 2012 shows to make way fro Kurbaan…given the first week response. The number of shows across multiplexes have been decreased for Tum Mile drastically (around 2/3 per day) but 2012 still enjoys 8-10 shows every day! For a new release, Kurbaan has only about 12 shows. APKGK also has around 6-8 shows.
Veer Doga 20 November 2009
08:50:19 pm
2012 is for those who thought Hollywood will not work in India.
In the next 5 years, its going to take over.
Wait for Avatar Mania.
cticize 20 November 2009
08:53:25 pm
Well 2012 cannot be discounted at all, every Roland Emmerich film concerning destruction has done well even his dud Godzilla, which i saw in an Ujjain Single Screen.
So good action, well promoted hollywood films will definitely do well.
Gorilla 20 November 2009
09:08:24 pm
Agree on 2012. Actually that was my first choice last week and would have been this week as well. As a paying public, what’s exciting is the SP FX and also it has been long time since we had a good timepass SPFX flick.
Let me assure you that the Titanic maker’s next Avatar is carrying an extraordinary under current. Add the 3D thing and this film is going to be a rage. This would be my first 3D film that i would watch in India.To many viewers, Titanic remains one of the favourite and everyone is curious what James has in store for us. We all know that he has never disappointed so that again is a big plus and is adding to the excitement.
Avatar is going to strike huge.
…and 3 Idiots will not be affected as people will be spending on two films this december, the way they did last year….may be a little more.
[aside]
BTW, the Sunshine song of 3I is an ace and the best in the album. Looks to be a situational song and is going to strike instant cord with students. am sensing an extraordinary business for 3I.
ăbzee 21 November 2009
08:25:19 am
Saw Kurbaan today. Must say this was one of the most disappointing films of the year. Firstly, there is absolutely zero novelty in terms of the plot vis-a-vis terrorism. The film evokes the likes of Fanaa and New York, but minus any of the strengths of those two and all the weaknesses.
The Saif-Kareena relationship graduates far too soon and very unconvincingly. It is another matter that they both look anything but professors! At the risk of sounding crude, I’m sure Saif-Kareena are at a stage in their ofscreen relationship where they’re having great sex…which is precisely why there is a smoldering passion in their encounters that betrays the narrative which wants them to fall in ‘love’. Here they both act like it is lust at first sight. Which brings me to the infamous bare-back sex scene. There is absolutely nothing erotic about it…and worse, it isn’t even justified. Why must Kareena have to seduce Saif if all she wanted was for him to doze off so she could procure some documents. SO what…Saif doesn’t sleep unless he’s sexually spent! And why does his character not question why his heavily pregnant wife, who by the way hasn’t been speaking much to him since her realization that he’s a terrorist, suddenly appears before him in a negligee wanting a night of good ol’ romp in the sack?
Now, if you’re wondering why I’m talking about the ’sex’ in the film more than the theme of terrorism…well, it is precisely because the terrorism aspect of the film isn’t worth talking about at all. There have been many reviews saying that by not providing any backstory/flashback to the Saif character, the film isn’t trying to sympathize with the terrorist. Instead, this film is actually the most guilty on that count. Atleast Aamir’s character was brainwashed and led by an uncle who had evil designs that were removed from Islam…Islam was merely a bone that was dangled. Here, the jihadis are all pure jihadis…in other words, even their top brass isn’t exploiting the feeling of persecution, etc. to forward their own agendas. They are all supposed to be genuinely decent Muslims, who actually believe in their interpretation of jihad. This is indeed very, very disturbing. And there is no counter-voice…even the one offered by way of the Vivek Oberoi character is a consonant one, deviated only by method.
All in all, a film ridden with loopholes, insipid performances (except probably Vivek who after his initial enthusiasm resulting in an exaggerated accent gets quite better) and a muddled political heart.
Veer Doga 21 November 2009
08:37:52 am
Great Effort by you Abzee, you have the courage to watch these moives.
Bash 21 November 2009
10:37:33 am
Why is Fanaa is even considered while talking about movies on terrorism??? That makes everything a fan boy rant.
Fanaa is ‘Dil se’ meets ‘Eye of the needle’ meets Kunal Kohli’s cheese … Add to it, the same old ridiculous blank stare in place of solemn emotion (method acting) on Aamir’s face. Kajol thankfully saved the movie.
The best thing about Fanaa is that one can clearly see Rishi Kapoor’s natural act and compare it to the labored, constipation expressions of Aamir.
What next, we need Ach to start a propaganda on how ‘Mission Kashmir’ is golden standard for movies on terrorism. In MK’s case, since Vidhu Vinod Chopra is a Kashmiri, the anguish is genuine.
Angels and Belds 22 November 2009
03:19:06 am
i havent seen this movie but I will for sure as I am a big fan of KJo. I believe he knows how to entertain.
I have a big problem with sandy as well as abzee’s review. Not whether the film is good or bad but about the reasons a film is good or bad. To me there is an entertainement quotient and there is a reality quotient. As far as i see the issues that sandy and abz seem to have are more on why this and why that? I dont agree with movie reviews like this and here i am talking as a lay man who goes to watch movies as paisa vasool and destress. These reviews are more addressed towards the movie connossieurs than the movie bevdas like me
BTW – i dont know what the hullabuloo about Fanaa was about. I thoroughly enjoyed Fanaa – it was a better movie than Rab ne or RDB – by a distance… imo
Angels and Belds 22 November 2009
03:22:03 am
btw heard neelu and others have started their own blog. LOL
Rohit – NG resembles the Soviet Union that splinters into all the member countries. But dont worry man NG is still Russia – the biggest – the meanest and the BEST
ăbzee 22 November 2009
04:52:01 am
Bash- I don’t believe I’ve mentioned anywhere that Fanaa is the gold standard when it comes to films dealing with terrorism. I mentioned Fanaa and New York since those two happen to be the most recent examples of films that deal with terrorism or terrorists. What’s a fan boy rant in that?
Thank you for educating me that Fanaa is Dil Se meets Eye Of The Needle. I was born yesterday, so wasn’t aware you see. Thanks a lot…I feel so enlightened!
Now, if it is the mention of Fanaa that you have a problem with, then you don’t have to wait for Ach to bring Mission Kashmir into the argument. Allow me to instead say that Dil Se (a film you mentioned) and MK are both better films for me than Kurbaan vis-a-vis terrorism and terrorists. Am I still a fan boy foaming at the mouth for you?
The fact is, members like you have nothing to bring to the table in terms of debate or argument. All you can do is pick up fights and keep needling everyone. The sad thing is that this blog used to mean something to some of us. To most now it is just fun…with nothing invested in it.
You could’ve very well said that you didn’t like Fanaa. But no, cuz that would have been an opinion…and opinions need to be backed with arguments…something that your mental faculties aren’t equipped to provide.
For the record, yet again, I state that I found Fanaa, New York, Dil Se, Mission Kashmir and Roja and Eye Of The Needle while we are at it…all better films (in terms of technique, script, performance and basic narrative) than Kurbaan.
ăbzee 22 November 2009
04:52:27 am
Beld- Isn’t it funny that you are disagreeing with opinions without even having seen the very film that these opinions are about? I would urge you, since you believe that K-Jo knows how to entertain, that you see the film…and then gladly disagree with my views.
I would like to tell you that my dislike for the film is not as a connoisseur. I don’t think I can go as one for a K-Jo movie! I went in, like you, expecting to be entertained. But Kurbaan fails precisely at that. It doesn’t engage or entertain. Which is why I mentioned Fanaa, a film that despite its flaws still entertains.
Angels and Belds 22 November 2009
05:43:35 am
abz – i have clearly said that i am not commenting on how good kurban is or isnt. But i am disagreeing with the factors that you have stated of calling it a bad film. from ur comments the examples were
a) kareena didnt have to seduce saif
b) no clear reason why saif is a terrorist
etc
Now these fall into the realms of realism for me. The film may still be non-entertaining but you nor sandy have given the reason why it was is what i am saying. Now maybe for u realism and entertainement go together but for me it doesnt. so that was the point i was trying to make..
Aditya 22 November 2009
06:50:10 am
i must say i completely concur with abzee about “kurbaan”. probably the weakest terrorism-themed film to come out in recent years. i didn’t think “new york” was a great film by any stretch of the imagination, but i liked it way better than “kurbaan”