Lets welcome a debutant kabir Khan, a documentary film maker to present a film with some different theme... The film takes u to Afghanistan .... a country most of us haven’t visited. Yes, Dharmatma and Khuda Gawah did visit Afghanistan, but the post-Taliban Afghanistan hasn’t been witnessed on the Hindi screen. Tht makes Kabul Express a novel experience indeed! A film like Kabul Express is more for the elite viewer than the aam junta.
Kabul Express is set in post 9/11 Afghanistan.... wher the American bombing has destroyed the Taliban regime.... nd the Taliban soldiers r trying to escape to Pakistan.... to avoid the wrath of the Afghans. Against this turbulent backdrop.... Jai Kapoor [Arshad Warsi] and Suhel Khan [John ] .... two Indian television reporters -- hav entered Afghanistan nd their aim is to somehow get a rare interview with a Talibani..... Helping them in their pursuit of a Talibani, is their Afghan guide, translator and driver Khyber [Hanif ] in his Toyota Jeep called Kabul Express.
The trio is having their share of adventure..... as they go frm being blindfolded nd taken to secret hideouts in the mountains to interview Taliban prisoners..... they nearly get trampled by horses while shooting a game of Buzkashi ....... They are saved from getting trampled by an American photo-journalist .... Jessica [Linda Arsenio].
Despite all their attempts, the Taliban remains elusive. But unknown to them, these hunters are being hunted down themselves...
One cold winter morning in Kabul..... they get kidnapped at gunpoint by a Talibani who wants to escape to the Pakistani border...... The kidnapper, Imran [Salman Shahid].... is a Pakistani army soldier who was part of the Taliban..... He knows that as journalists.... Jai and Suhel’s movements in the country will not be questioned and acting as their local guide, he can reach the safety of his country. From here on.... begins the 2 day journey from.... Kabul to Afghan-Pakistan border..... Jai and Suhel’s mission becomes a nightmare as they r taken hostage aboard the Kabul Express and made to drive across the most dangerous country in the world..... Jessica sees their car driving away from Kabul and mistakenly thinks that they are onto a big story.... She begins to chase them.... Before she knows it..... Jessica gets stuck in a bizarre situation and inadvertently... also gets taken hostage by Imran. By the end of the journey..... Jai, Suhel and Jessica actually help Imran reach the border of Pakistan .... his country that he is very proud and patriotic about. But... as he moves forward to the border... hez being killed by the soldiers on pakistan border post.. as the Major is in the impression tht... none of their ppl r left ther.... so they feel tht hez some terrorist... and kills him.
The film is carried very well.. the moments like arguements between Imran and Jai for the All rounder cricketer- Imran Khan or Kapil Dev, Imran's asking for cigarette from Jai.... and everyone including Imran altogether singing song 'Mein Zindagi Ka saath nibhaataa chalaa gayaa.. har fikr ko dhue mein udaataa chalaa gaya' was beautiful.
Kabir deserves full marks for taking the film to an appropriate finale. ... And yes the Cinematograher.. I guess.... Anshuman... has done a very well job. The way he has covered Afghanistan is excellent.
You walk out of Kabul Express with two actors in mind .... Arshad Warsi and Salman Shahid, the Pakistani...... Arshad is brilliant.... scene stealer .... he has an amazing sense of timing .... The actor is lovable.... whereas he also contributes to the light moments in the thriller..... Salman Shahid is excellent..... He is a super actor.... He enacts his role with precision and his sequences.... more towards the concluding reels.. the climax.... will win him ample fans in India..... Ah ha... John doesn’t really get a chance to exhibit his performance.... but gets two major scenes.... one, whn he talks 2 d Pakistani abt his daughter nd the other..... whn the Pakistani is offering prayers..... John handles them with supreme confidence..... Hanif, the Afghani.... is first-rate..... while Linda, the American journalist..... does an okay job.
All-in-all.... a good movie to watch.
9 comments:
Hey, this is exactly what my views are for Kabul Express...We too loved the movie...
I havent seen the movie .... so didnt read the review fully (just in case if you have revealed some suspense ..... ) ... I hope it runs 25 more days atleast in Bangalore so that I can catch up with that :-) ......
Wow!! Awesome Review!! I didn't read the story part as I want to watch the movie soon and it would spoil the fun but rest of the analysis looks pretty good. As I said on Mehak's blog, I know situation in Afghanistan through the eyes of American/Canadian media and so it would be interesting to watch it from Indian-Pakistani-Afghani side.
It looks like review day because you, me and Mehak, all have written reviews.
@mehak.. yaa a good movie.. i dont knw y it has got less ratings.
@PV.. Oh good u didnt read it.. i hav actually narrated the whole story incl. suspense.. :)
@ricky.. thnx 4 liking it.. Do watch it.. yaa.. Kabir Khan n the cinematographer has done a v.gud job.. Afghanistan is captured v.nicely.. but as mehak said.. all these makes us think.. dont knw who r the real enemies.. y v all r fighting...??
Oh.. review day.. good good.. thn i shld say.. same pinch to both of u.. hehehe :)
Ouchhhhhhhhh!! Bahut zor ke e-pinch karte ho aap toh :P
Anyways, the politics there is messy because of US/Pakistani/Canadian forces all trying to find Taliban but who is Taliban because it was just a philosophy not some kind of sect or religion per say. I will watch this movie soon and let you know my thoughts.
The movie is very well made and a must watch. Apart from that it was very well narrated by you :)
@bhargav... Welcome to my blog.. nd Thnx for liking the review.. :)
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