Scraps Stuffs - Random musings from apun ka desh

A second good movie from Farhan Akhtar in a row. I had great expectations from Lakshya and Farhan Akhtar did not disappoint too much. His first movie, Dil Chahta Hai, is the only movie I have seen in a theatre twice. I liked it so much. So I was eagerly awaiting this second movie.

First the not so nice parts:

1. Priety Zinta looks old. I was a little shocked to see this. She's put on some weight which isn't so bad. But this shows on her face which is.

2. Amitabh sleep walks through the film. One of his least memorable performances. His casting is also not authentic, IA colonels aren't so old. Literally, I couldn't feel the fire in Amitabh's belly.

3. Boman Irani is wasted in the role of Karan Shergill's (Hrithik Roshan) father. Not much scope for acting. He does a competent job but is not as outstanding as he was in Let's Talk and Munnabhai M.B.B.S.

4. The movie tended to drag a little bit in parts, though not in the war scenes.

Now for the praise:

1. The scenes in the IMA are very well shot. The campus itself is gorgeous and shown well. The bayonet charge practise, punishments and passing out parade are shown very nicely. The oath taking ceremony is also beautifully done.

2. Excellent cinematography. Ladakh is really breath-taking and its been shot very well, although the theatre I went to - Naga - had out of focus pictures and poor sound. They advertise Xenon projection and DTS, none of which is visible in this movie. Makes me wish I went to Rex instead (I didn't know it was also playing there). Maybe the second time :-)

3. The ambush scene while going towards the unexpected assault route was very nicely done. Looked very realistic.

4. The cliff climbing scene was nicely done too. Appeared pretty realistic though you could make out the special effects sometimes. But probably one of the best special effects work done in Bollywood.

5. The recee in force and other fight sequences were nicely done and appeared authentic, unlike other Indian war movies. Firing is done in short bursts and not in Rambo-like magazine emptying bursts.

In short, this is recommended and well worth watching again. If only I didn't have unrealistic sky-high expectations of this one, I would have enjoyed it more.