DIL SE Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Manisha Koirala & Preity Zinta Direction: Mani Ratnam Rating: * * * |
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Mani Ratnam, the maker of Anjali, Roja, Bombay, Nayakan, has made his first Hindi film Dil Se. It is not as heart-touching as Bombay and Roja. The film cannot be called an intense love story as the love is just one-sided. The film also lacks those soul stirring scenes for which Mani Ratnam is known for. Amar Kant Verma (Shah Rukh Khan) is a production executive with All India Radio. To gather more information on terrorism, Amar goes to Assam to interview the leader of the terrorist gang. On the lonely platform, Amar is drawn towards the enigmatic face of Meghana (Manisha Koirala). He falls in love with Meghana at the first sight. Suddenly she disappears and Amar follows her wherever she goes. Meghana never allows Amar to come close to her. Amar does not know that Meghana is leader of the terrorists. Amar even goes to Ladakh where Meghana goes and proposes to her. Meghana refuses the proposal. A dejected Amar returns to Delhi and agrees to marry Preeti (Preeti Zinta), whom his parents have chosen for him. For a new twist in the film, on Amar and Preeti's engagement night, Meghana with her friend (Mita Vashisht) comes to Amar's house for some work. Meghana accepts the work at All India Radio. The mission of her coming here is to kill the President on Republic Day. Situations happen such that the police believe Amar is involved with the terrorists and arrest him. And needless to say, Amar is successful in defusing Meghana's mission. The end is too melodramatic. It is very hard to accept that for the hero his obsession towards Meghana comes first and then his love for the motherland. The end scene where Amar forces Meghana to accept the fact that she also loves him is too dramatic. The flashback scenes showing why Meghana became a terrorist are not very gripping. Shah Rukh has given a good performance but sometimes even with Mani he overacts. Manisha was a fit for this type of role. But the person who steals the show is the new comer Preeti Zinta who is full of enthusiasm. She has given a very natural performance in a small but significant role. Others have also played their parts well. The highlights of the film (and you can say are the stars of the film) are Santosh Sivan's breathtaking cinematography, Farah Khan's excellent choreography, Gulzar's lyrics and above all AR Rehman's soulful composition. All the songs are very beautifully picturised like E Ajnabi, Saatrangi Re.. and and above all Chhaiyya Chhaiyya... on top of therunning train in the forests of Assam. Malaika Arora and Shah Rukh Khan's dance choreographed under Farah Khan is a treat to the eyes. What the film lacks is an in-depth and gripping story. The film fails to hold the audience. |
