By now director Kunal Kohli would have definitely realized that he tasted success more because for his high-profile casting than for his much-hyped plot(love story of a dreaded terrorist). Audience would have sympathized with the protagonist if he had ‘reformed’ for the sake of his lovable family and died saving them from terrorists. Though he is happy to re-unite with his lover but shows no traces of changing his ways and remains a dreaded soul (willing to hand over a nuclear trigger that could kill 50 lac people. Is he not more dangerous than Osama Bin Laden?) A blind small-town girl is bolder than so-called fast girls and indulges in a one-night stand with a stranger without even seeking a commitment from him. Unfortunately director’s poor characterization shows Kajol as a girl who has been scouting around for a male companion all through and once found him she neither seeks her family opinion nor heeds to the advice of her friend (barring asking a friend how he looks). She doesn’t even seek his ‘commitment’ even before leaving him rather allows him to go scot-free, justifying my argument. Director fails to reflect the mindset of a ‘terrorist’ who is on a dreaded mission and makes him to recite ‘shayaris’ to woo girls like a playboy. He also roams freely in the guise of a guide without anyone suspecting this ‘stranger’. Agreed that commercial filmmakers can take some liberties with logic but making him to infiltrate army is bit too much to digest. Aamir Khan has been ‘shrewd’ in choosing good roles but unfortunately he would also been disappointed with the final outcome.

Probably director Kohli was inspired by “Dil Se’ but reversed male and female characters but couldn’t bring out the ‘touching love angle’ of Maniratnam’s failed effort. Instead of probing the mindset of a ‘terrorist’ in love he just relies on Aamir’s lover boy image making his character unrealistic. And also unnecessarily he made Kajol a blind girl (for dramatic effect, naturally) but even with vision probably she would have spoiled her life in same manner (in the present format). I don’t know why director was in a hurry to ‘ignite’ passion between the protagonists than giving some time for visually-challenged girl to asses the stranger before committing herself. Director gets backs her ‘vision’ but only after she was deceived. Director re-unites the ‘lovers’ and he should have used it to reform the protagonist. But he fails to do so as his film meanders towards the tragic end.

Is still remains a surprise how Aamir Khan accepted this moronic love story? Was he craving to play a terrorist? It would have challenged the actor in him to alternate between a ‘romantic’ and ‘ruthless’ person at the same time but he has to perform these roles in two parts making it easier for him. Even after his return he is more obsessed with his mission than enjoying life with his family. Also he doesn’t repent much and he believes that his ‘inhuman mission’ is the truth and he would like live with it. Barring traces of humanism here and there his character is dark and repulsive. He impresses in the last few scenes with Kajol.

Kajol plays a blind girl and gives good account of her self. But her character is not well-defined so she fails to draw sympathy (as anticipated by her). She abuses the freedom given by her lovable parents and moves intimate with a stranger overruling her friend’s advice. She doesn’t want to know his whereabouts not even once. Her wish to make the last 12 hours memorable `ruins’ her life and she is reluctant to seek his commitment (even feminists would agree). Was she willing to pursue this love after leaving Delhi but unfortunately that is how it appeared.

More Different Perspectives by Friendly Viewer:
• Lakshmi
• Vivah (Hindi)
• Bhagyalakshmi Bumper Draw
• Dhoom 2 (Hindi)
• Aa Naluguru
• Aparichitudu
• Krrish (Hindi)
• Sri Ramadasu
• Vikramarkudu
• Don (Hindi)
• Pokiri
• Stalin
• Bommarillu

Tell us how you liked the article