HINDI CINEMA CONQUERS NEW FRONTIERS
By P Shukla - Eye TV India Bureau
Critic's I-view
Those were the days when Kandhar was part of India and it was in the Mahabharat era that Kandhar was very closely related to Indraprastha (Delhi). Gandhari, the princess, had married Dhritrashtra but all those days of gaiety and galaxy have perished with the time. Now, when one thinks of Afghanistan, images of destroyed Buddha in Bahmian come straight in front of our eyes. A country destroyed by the struggle between the local government there and Taliban mercenaries is trying it hard to come to its own once again with the help of India and other countries. What Pakistan has done to Afghanistan is an example for the world and a lesson for others.
When Mukul Anand went to shoot 'Khuda Gawah' in Afghanistan, he was given full protection by the country's royal army. Amitabh Bachchan was treated almost like head of a state, but debutant director Kabir Khan got nothing like this, this time. A prolific documentary filmmaker turns to film direction with a film that defies the norms and trends of Hindi Cinema. No man would dare think of going to this neighboring country and shoot the film, but Kabir has done it, and he should get appreciation for this. Not only he but actors like John Abraham and Arshad Warsi risked their lives too. This is despite the fact that they had plenty of offers back in India to do easy films. However, this is the new generation of Indian Cinema, please sit back and let the world watch new face of Hindi Cinema.
'Kabul Express' is a look from the perspective of two TV journalists of a country that is reeling under fear and destruction post 9/11. The story is told with the help of two journalists Jai (Arshad Warsi) and Suhel (John Abraham). These two have reached Afghanistan in their zeal to find something exclusive and this search for exclusive lands them into the biggest trouble of their life. Suhel and Jai want to interview some Taliban that will make their career go a long way, but downhill Afghanistan something else is laid for them. They hire a local guide Khyber (Hanif Hum Ghum) who also doubles up as their cab driver.
The cab named Kabul Express travels in the gun-trotting areas of Afghanistan ; the deeper they go, severer it gets for them. On thier way they happen to witness famous game of locales -- Buzkashi and it is here that they meet an American journalist Jessica (Linda Arsenio). She saves them from a big problem. All the people come to know about their aims and Jessica thinks that if she follows these two, maybe she could also get some exclusive news. One fine morning Jai and Suhel are kidnapped and are taken to an unknown destination. Jessica follows them thinking that these two are on the way to their story but lesser does she know that she is heading for death. During this life-risking voyage, they chance to meet upon a Pakistani soldier Imran (Salman Shahid), who has been working for Taliban but wishes to go back to his family. A search for the story becomes a fight to make Imran reach his home.
Yashraj Films that has tasted commercial success this year in 'Fanaa' and 'Dhoom 2' has come with a film that is more thoughtful than the earlier two. While 'Fana' and 'Dhoom 2' were targeted at masses, 'Kabul Express' is meant for classes. Because of the rift between Yashraj Films and multiplex owners of India, the film has not been released in many multiplexes, and the rift that switched in favor of Yashraj on earlier two occasions, has gone against it this time
'Kabul Express' is a marvelous film for those who want to see more than smooching of Hrithik and Aishwarya and who have the zeal to watch a film that is more of an international level. Kabir Khan has given this gem to Yashraj Films that will be a shining diamond in their catalogue. Kabir has shown what it takes to make a different film. The storyline is good. The ambience is just perfect and the making at par with any Hollywood film. 'Kabul Express' has one of the best technical finesse in Hindi films this year.
Among actors, Arshad Warsi proves that he can do more than just be a sidekick of Munna Bhai. He shows that it is not his loss if he is not getting better roles but it is the loss of Hindi film industry . Arshad has proved it earlier in films like 'Seher' and now in 'Kabul Express', the people in the industry may once again take note of his caliber. John Abraham has second film at box office after 'Baabul' in quick succession, and he tries his best to catch on with this opportunity
He failed in 'Baabul' but in 'Kabul Express' he excels and shows that he is more than just a macho man flirting with gorgeous girls. This film can help him change his image from a Casanova to a serious actor. Linda and Salman Shahid support the film very well, but it is Afghani actor Hanif Hum Ghum who comes as a surprise in 'Kabul Express'. On the whole, 'Kabul Express' is a film that will be liked by the intelligent audience. However, the problem is that the film is not being screened in multiplexes. So, the intelligentsia should be made to come to see the film there as the success of 'Kabul Express' depends on i
