Review of Kurbaan (2009) by Salmaan B — 20 Nov 2009

Kurbaan.

There's one scene in the film which makes the whole movie take a neutral stand about Islam and how it's related to terrorism. Yes. Only one scene. I guess this will highlight how impacful most of the scenes in the film were.

Let's first sort things out.

Kurbaan is not for the average cinemagoer.

It's raw.

It's intelligent cinema (well for most part) at its best.

It's powerful,.

And most importantly.

It's R-E-A-L.

Either get your definition right. Or, watch Kurbaan. The film -simply put- is realistic cinema. Forget Bollywood, you haven't seen any movie based on terrorism present things in such a raw manner. Many are those who have cogent opinions on the 9/11 attacks, but how many actually went and voiced them out? Niet. Kurbaan does.

A father admitting that he's unwiling that his daughter marries a muslim.

A professor in New York saying that America is responsible for the terrorist attacks.

Someone presenting facts like how the death toll of those who died in Iraq shamelessly outnumbers those who perished in teh 9/11 attack.

While reading them, they may strike as being ''normal'' but no, it's not normal. We've all been scared to shout this out. But Kurbaan gives you a real insight in the common man's head as far as those ticklish issues go.

Sure, the film is flawed, but we'll come to the technical aspects and the ''Viewers don't digest'' tidbit later on.

And now, let us be honest.

Kurbaan will be a cult film. And by this I also imply that a section of the audience will come out hating the film. But wait, don't jump to conclusions. It's not because the movie doesn't make sense, or the screenplay is shoddy or poor editing...no no no no NO! Kurbaan will not be digested by everyone. Some will come out saying the movie has shown Muslims in a ''bad'' way or is one-sided, by conveniently forgetting some important parts of the film, and simply focussing on what's shown at times, mainly in the beginning. But I can safely say, as a Muslim, I was not offended.

Finally, let's get simple.

Kurbaan is one such film which shows;.

1. How extremists think and behave.

2. The typical Muslim terrorist and his perception of being a Jehaadi and how one has to sacrifice in the name of God.

3. How normal muslims who also think that Muslims have been victimized behave and actually condemn the idea of killing others to seek justice.

4. And finally how both Muslims and Amercans in a way are to be blamed for the spread of global terrorism.

Final word?

Kurbaan taps into extremely debatable issues while being brutally honest, without any fear...and it succeeds, totally.

The story is known by all. Written by Karan Johar, this one is simple and wonderfully detailed by Rensil who's the script writer. Special attention has been given to make this body beauty have a beautiful mind. The film unwinds at an appreciable speed and you just get into the story from the first frame itself. Right from Avantika and Ehsaan flirting in Delhi, their first kiss, the meeting with the father, how they move to USA, Avantika's first meeting with the neighbours,...and I'm going to stop here.

But some issues I have with this film lie in the screenplay.

Possible spoilers, click to toggle!

Spoiler: click to toggle.

1. The whole neighbouring planning something so big. It wasn't really believable. It should have been more advanced...more sophisticated maybe? It just didn't that the look that it's a terrorist organization! And their base, LOL, what was that? It wasn't even secret. Avantika getting there was way too easy. And no, mere coincidence doesn't work in a flick like Kurbaan.

2. The gang accepting Riyaaaz without even doing a basic history search? That's too bony to digest? Although, we MAY think they the did this helplessly here because they lost one of their guys. But still...

3. Why the hell did they have that scene with FBI showing that Khalid is a notorious terrorist and how the fish did they have his pic?? That didn't make sense. HUGE BLUNDER!!!!!!! They should have deleted that scene because it has no connection whatsoever with the film!!!!!

Overall, I'm a bit mad Karan and Rensil simplified some major turning points and highlights of the film. I know that it'd have been difficult to show everything perfectly, but a bit more believable maybe? That'd have really made Kurbaan an exceptional watch.

Otherwise, the story and the way it was narrated and depicted was superb. Great great great direction by Rensil D'Silva. This guy is here to stay, for sure. His vision seemed clear right from the start and I guess he managed to show on-screen what he saw. It's so evident because each and every shot is powerfully executed. Dialogues by Neeranjan and Anurag Kashyap could not have been better. They add the much needed crudeness in the proceedings with some really strong dialogues. I wish I could write all the ones I loved, but it's past midnight and I'm exhausted. I'll leave it to you to savour the dialogues out there. Editing was near-perfect. The film is long, yes. But then, editing was good. There's no scene which drags unnecessarily.

Action; first-rate and background score; thrilling! Salim-Suleman, awards are on their way. The music suited the film's theme and pace and none of the songs seemed forced and all have been integrated to take the story forward. Shukran Allah works primarily for it's gorgeous lyrics, gorgeous singing and gorgeous Kareena Kapoor and how love blossoms between the lead pair. Dua Hai is played in the background to show the couple in USA. Watch out for some scenes in the song and you'll guess the next ''twist'' of the film. Rasiya..err...we all know where that was used. I must say pretty impressed. Ali Maula remains with you after the film has ended mainly because it's placement in the film could not have been better. Integrated in the pre-climax, this one is to watch out for.

Talking about the climax, now dude, this is a climax. We've actually forgotten that this part of the film needs to actually elevate the whole film to a peak and then crash and leave you spell-bounded. Watch Kurbaan's 30-minutes long climax to get a flavour of what a brillantly executed climax is. Hair-raising scenes at their bests.

And the very end of the film, utter brillance. It leaves you speechless, literally. The acting there. In one simple scene. You see her crying. Only crying. And yet, it just sweeps you away completely.

This may be because the film has been wonderfully directed and successfully managed to get a grasp of the characters and what they're going through? In the end, you can genuinely evoke what the central character is going through and the scenes make a striking impact.

Coming to the performances, let's just be fair and say all the actors (minus one) have given outstanding performances.

We'll just finish off with that hopeless dude who halted my desire to say that the ''entire cast performed brillantly''.

He's the FBI officer, Collins or whatever his name is. What a joke!! He ruined some emotional scenes and looked a like a buffon! They needed someone who looked the part and who looked serious. Watch this guy sit comfortably in a Church while he perfectly knows ''something big is being planned''. Loser. Actually, considering his size, he's a triple loser.

Out..^^ that was my last complaint against the film.

Dia Mirza is a special appearance looks like a doll and does justice to her small but important role. All the side characters were great, especially the girls who played Salma and Anjum and the guy who plays Salma's husband. Om Puri and Kirron Kher were incredible. They suited the roles to the T and it's a real relief to see Kirron Kher is a meaningful role, after quite some time. The lady delivers and how. It's one of the best performances in the film.

Saif shines. He emotes well and has many silent scenes as expected. He delivers for sure but somehow, his character is over-shadowed by Avantika and Riyaaz. But this is one of his finest performances so far. Maybe not on par with his Langda Tyagi act but it comes close. I hope he gets the recognition he deserves. But compared to the other characters, his is perhaps the least well-developed.

Vivek is back with a bang. Expections were reasonably high and he lives up to them. It's nice that he gave special attention to the accent. He was great and although his characterisation was unnecessarily heroic, he performs really well. This should do to him what KHNH did for Saif. Watch out for him in his outbusrt during the lecture and in his last scene with Saif.

Kareena shines. There's no other way to say it. You may get tired of reading this but she actually proves why she's the best actress with her Avantika act. Flawless, flawless and flawless. Many of my favourite scenes include her. I've tried to be really critical while watching her because my expectations from her in Kurbaan were probably the highest, but she left no chance to corner her. A simple role but it's the flame with which she emotes and her vulnerability is completely reflected in her eyes. Her last scene has to be THE most powerful scene of the year. Oh dude, to cut it short, just give her the Best Actress award. It's one of her bests performances till date- if not the best.

My only complaint....was...no need to laugh but ARGH HER NAILS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In nearly all her scenes, 1 or 2 or 3 of her fake nails were missing!! And she looked GORGEOUS throughout the film (one of times she looked the best in my opinion) but those missing nails were distracting!

Some of my favourite scenes:

Spoiler: click to toggle.

1. Ehsaan and Avantika's first time coffe together. Great chemistry there.

2. Their first kiss in the librrabry. Desu, you'll faint there. It's sizzling hot and Kareena is brillant.

3. The meeting with the father.

4. The dinner with the neighbours. Kareena's expression when she's told to go with the other women. The scene at the ladies' table. Damn good.

5. Salma coming to Avantika and seeking help.

6. Avantika finding out about the gang (even though poorly executed) the acting was wow and the subsequent scenes that follow, i.e Avantika meeting Ehsaan and knowing the truth. Freakin' amazing.

7. When Ehsaan and the other guy go burry Salma's body and when the guy shoots at the policeman. I thought his acting was very good. Him shaking reinforces the uneasiness and repentence in his actions, subtly shown.

8. When Riyaaz finds Avntika's recorded message. His expressions, first class.

9. Ehsaaan's encounter with Riyaaaz at the airport and all the scenes when Ehsaan is trying to get a grip over him.

10. The scene in the lecture. One of the film's highlights. Riyaaz's outburst was again hair-raising and the stuff he said, absolutely correct.

11. The whole Rasiya sequence. The love-making scene was needed and asthetically shot.

11. The whole climax.

12. Climax again, mainly when Ehsaan is pointing a gun at Avanntika and Kirron and the latter at Avantika. Kirron was beyond superb there!

13. And again the climax, with Avantika and Ehsaan. Kareena excelled. Saif outshined himself. And when Avantika finally asks...''what's your real name'', that was the cherry.

14. And finallyy...Avantika stepping out of the tube. Okay, that was it for me. It simply elevated the film to a whole new level. I had goose-bumps man. The close up at Avantika's face and she falling on her knees, I was left speechless.

I liked how they ended the film on a somehow incomplete now. Like not showing what happens to Khalid, Avantika,...

I might have gone round and round with this review but the point is Kurbaan takes an altogether different and genuine look at global terrorism. It's intelligent, crisp and caters to those open-minded people out there and those who are willing to put their money in a film that dares to show the real side of the story, without trying to be commercial or appeal to many.

Kudos to Rensil.

My expectations were sky-high and those flaws and Ehsaan's character made the film fall a little short of the huge expectations, but I still loved the film.

I'd say go in expecting a powerful, heavy, dark and engrossing fare- that's what Kurbaan is.

At the box-office, it's not going to work. But fingers crossed, it's going to sweep most of the major awards this year, and rightly so.

As far as I am concerned, it's THE film of 2009.

8.5/10.