Kurbaan Movie Review | Critique

SACRIFICE?? WHAT...SORRY, YOU LOST ME...

There are films that look heavenly compromised...especially big-budget movies handling serious issues. The most reminiscent one being 'New York'. Now, my, my! Isn't that just a co-incidence?! I say so because the movie that I am about to talk in this column is nothing but a remake(!) of Kabir Khan's New York. Rehash, remake, whatever! So, I was talking of compromises. New York used cliche after cliche to bore us with drama and make us aware that Yash Raj has still got the ability to do action. Pooh! Sorry buddies, that movie was a bad one, intentions were noble. But intentions never maketh a movie work. So, Is KURBAAN any good? Yes, it is. Is it great cinema? Nope. Not even close. So, does it offer anything different? Hmmmm.....yes, it does. And does it have any flaws? You bet. Loopholes so large you can allow Titanic to pass through each of them.

The thing that I admired about Rensil D'Silva's 'Kurbaan' is that there is no showing of the 9/11 attack. It has been referred to once in the movie. But, nothing more than that. It is about the repercussions we still feel in a post-9/11 world. You know, I have a problem with the repeated showing of the WTC collapsing down. Why? Because, it is an event that has left us scarred forever. And it is a little deja-vu all over again when it is shown on film repeatedly. However noble the intentions of the filmmaker are, it is a little painful to see the towers going down, people losing their lives. Kurbaan does not need to do that. However, what 'Kurbaan' really does is, it makes a few valid points.

So, the story goes as follows. Kareena Kapoor's character falls in love with Saif Ali Khan's character and the routine love-shove follows. She gets a call from NYU and he asks her to marry him so that they can both make the trip together....forever. Ah! Heard of eternal love? They do so and everything is well and fine until a neighbour comes knocking on the door suspiciously asking for Kareena's help. Then, what follows forms the main crux of this story.

Let me begin right off by saying that this film is similar in every way possible to the June-released Kabir Khan film 'New York' but in terms of acting and technical aspects, 'Kurbaan' is light years ahead of that film. Sensitive issues like Islam fundamentalism, the behavior toward Islam-followers and the war ensuing between the US of A and terrorism have been, for the most part, handled well. Rensil has clearly got what it takes to be a director. How can you not marvel in that scene when Kulbhushan Kharbanda shows his resentment against what his son (Vivek) has been been doing on behalf of the Americans. Its a scene that stands out in the whole movie. Equally effective are the action scenes.

Saif Ali Khan is wonderfully restrained and gives a measured performance. His silence carries the menace throughout the film. You must have known him for his flamboyant, cutesy, comic roles so far. Here, he exudes what the character demands- Ferocity. Kareena Kapoor is cast well. She shines in a role that requires a little histrionics and she provides them adequately. Vivek Oberoi. Oh my! This lad had talent, energy, only if he knew the right films to channel it through. Here, in the role of Riyaaz, he hits the right note-that of a vendetta-driven cameraman.

One actor stands tall above them all. Om Puri. Frankly speaking, Om Puri has always managed to do so even in many of his mediocre films. Watch that chilling scene in which he asks Vivek's character to shoot an innocent Pizza store vendor. Or the one in which he asks Kareena Kapoor through a car's window to think about her father's fate before doing anything stupid. Or in that scene where...hell, in every scene. I repeat in every scene.

Kirron Kher-miscast. Irritates using that heavy Afghani-accent of hers. Nauheed, thankfully, is given a 2-minute role which does not require her to do much.Except smile, cry and die.

The love story angle is subtle and at the climax, it is palpable enough to blister about anything. Watch with a sharp eye when Kareena yanks Saif's collar and asks him his true name. The undercurrent...yeah! This is what the whole movie should have been like. Still, this movie does not cry out loud.

The flaws- Oh my, hope I remember some of the maaaaany. Why does Vivek's character have to be a HERO? Couldn't he just inform the FBI or the cops before taking on the scores himself. And what is the FBI doing anyway while a terrorist roams freely on the roads, even though they have manged to get a photograph of his? And when a bomb does go off and shootouts ensue in a subway, trains do not stop. They go about their own business. Post 9/11, USA has been so alert and rules have been so stringent that this scene in the movie just looks too convenient. Also, the love-making scene, though shot well is out of place and the reason why the scene was required is hilarious. A little old school, aren't we? And believe me, there are more. And it will be late night before I wind up those.

So, does Kurbaan work. In a way, Yes.

Let those loose ends be. This movie when stripped away, shows the noble intentions of a filmmaker who has sadly given in to convention only too often. As I said, honest intentions don't alone a film make. I have an answer to that. The performances. They nearly help this movie from going down. And the few valid points that this movie makes without taking sides of America or Islamic fundamentalism. Savor the scene in the classroom where an argument follows between Vivek Oberoi and two American students.

Salim-Sulaiman's music lingers in the background and is a terrific score which does not take you away from the story. Hemant Chaturvedi's cinematography alternates between lush, striking and providing a sense of urgency. Outstanding work by the man!

This is a film that does not disappoint as much as it could have. It will linger in your minds, at least for some time after you have left the cinema. But, it may linger for some more time even, so that you can pick out the fatal flaws that nearly marred this otherwise efficient-thriller.

Rating- ***

Written by Gyandeep Pattnayak.

PS - Please welcome the newest entry to TheReelMag clan, Gyandeep Patanayak. We loved this review that he sent to us, that we have put it across to readers, without so much as a changed word. umm, it is long but wasn't it fun ! Welcome Gyandeep.