REFUGEE

Cast: Jackie Shroff, Sunil Shetty, Ashish Vidyarthi, Reena Roy, Anupam Kher with Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor
Director: J.P. Dutta
Music: Anu Malik
Rating: * * *

After the super-success of Border, JP Dutta's next venture Refugee was eagerly awaited. This is a debut vehicle for two new stars -- Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor. However the film is not able to match the expectations of everyone -- the newcomers have done full justice to the role but it is the length and the loose screenplay of the film which are at fault.

Refugee (Abhishek Bachchan) is an orphan who has been adopted by Jaan Mohammed (Anupam Kher) and Amma (Reena Roy). His caste and creed are unknown as he was left behind at the time of Partition. Refugee's job is to take Bihari Muslim refugees from Bangladesh to Pakistan through Rann of Kutch and brings back from there people, drugs and arms without knowing what they are for. In one of his assignments he is taking Naaz (Kareena Kapoor) and her family across the border. On the way Refugee falls in love Naaz and she also reciprocates his love. To meet his lady love, Refugee's visits across the border increase.

On the other hand a Pakistani border officer Ashraf (Sunil Sheety) also likes Naaz and even asks her hand for marriage from her parents (Kulbhushan Karbanda and Padmini Kapila). Unknowing that their daughter is in love with Refugee, they agree to Ashraf's proposal. But when the reality is known, Ashraf is angry and Refugee is badly beaten by the officers and sent back to India. Here in India BSF officer Raghuvir (Jackie Shroff) blames Refugee for getting the villians across the border who are spreading terror in the country. Refugee decides to help the country.

In Pakistan Naaz is pregnant and makes many unsuccessful attempts to meet Refugee. Finally Ashraf decides to help the two lovers. Raghuvir also promises Refugee to help him meet Naaz at a fair on the border. With some dramatic scenes the end is happy.

The story is new. The dialogues are good. But some of the situations are unbelievable -- like the way Refugee crosses the border as if there is no security in both the countries over the border. The film is very lengthy and overall the loose screenplay dampens the curiousity to go through the film for 3 hours 20 mins.

The credit for the film should go to the two new star kids Abhsihek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor for choosing very challenging and different roles as their debut roles. Where the debut of new stars is full of glamour and romance, they choose to do performance-based role with no glamour. Abhishek Bachchan did seem uncomfortable in a few scenes but then he has overcome that. He has a magnificent screen presence just like his father. With his intense look and expressive eyes, and excellent dialogue delivery Abhishek wins everyones heart. Yes one can say that he walks and talks just like Big B. A star is born and who is sure to make a great impact in the film industry. Kareena Kapoor is also very good. She looks beautiful and innocent but at the same time looks strong. Very natural in front of the camera and the confidence she has is something most of the newcomers lack. With very expressive eyes, she has done a great job in her debut portraying emotions with such effortlessness. She has her own style of acting and has everything to become a good actress. Supporting cast are good especially Anupam Kher, Sunil Shetty and Khulbhusan Kharbanda.

Anu Malik's music is soft and hummable. This film's music is something Anu Malik can be proud of. Bashir Ali's camera has captured the Rann of Kutch brilliantly. The cinematography is excellent. This movie can definitely be watched for the two rising stars -- Abhishek and Kareena.


Source: India World


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