Review of Veer-Zaara (2004) by Katherine C — 30 Apr 2010

"Veer-Zaara" is an epic love story, one which transcends borders real and imagined, and the message that true, abiding love will eventually overcome all obstacles is powerfully presented here. The story begins in Lahore, Pakistan where an idealistic young female lawyer, Saamiya Siddique (Rani Mukherjee) seeks her late father's blessings (at his grave) as she prepares to take on her first human rights case, that involving the unjust long-term imprisonment of an Indian national, Veer Pratap Singh (played by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan). Veer was accused over 20 years ago of being an Indian spy, Rathod, and was found guilty and imprisoned ever since.

As Saamiya eventually draws Veer out of his self-imposed silence, she learns about the love story that has inspired this silence - one which takes viewers via flashback to 22 years earlier. Viewers are introduced to a young Pakistani Muslim girl, Zaara (the ever gorgeous, dimpled Preity Zinta) , the only child of a wealthy and influential Pakistani politician, who agrees to take back the ashes of her Punjabi nanny, Bebe, back to Bebe's native Sikritpur in India. Although I did question the credibility of such an important man allowing his only precious daughter to make a solo journey across the border, well, I'm willing to suspend disbelief here.

Zaara does make the trip and along the way, the bus she's traveling on has an accident, and she is rescued by dashing Indian Air Force Pilot, Veer Pratap Singh (SRK). The pair hit it off immediately, and not only does Veer help Zaara fulfill her nanny's last wishes, but also persuades her to visit his native village for one day, so that they may experience the Lodi Festival together. At the village, Zaara meets Veer's uncle and aunt (whom he considers his parents), played by Bollywood icons, Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini (who despite her years, always looks gorgeous and graceful). It is also here, that Veer realizes he has fallen deeply and irrevocably in love with Zaara. When he prepares to reveal his feelings to her as she is about to leave for Pakistan, Veer is introduced to Raza (Manoj Bajpai), Zaara's taciturn fiancé (chosen by her father to cement a political alliance with Raza's father). Veer is heartbroken but this does not stop him from revealing his love for Zaara, which leaves Zaara all confused.

Well, back home in Pakistan, Zaara realizes that she too has fallen in love with Veer, and decides to elope with him. Veer goes to Pakistan to get her (after resigning his commission with the Air Force), but things go predictably awry and the pair are separated for more than 20 years. This is where Saamiya comes in , as she tries her best to prove that Veer was wrongfully imprisoned and to see justice meted out.

The songs are beautiful, and the cinematography conveys all the vibrant colors of the Indian countryside. The theme song is one that I fell in love with, and I plan on obtaining the soundtrack. Shah Rukh Khan plays his role flawlessly, there is no exaggeration here - and I particularly liked the final scene where Veer reads a heartrending poem he composed as he addresses the court. Preity Zinta is beautiful and delivers a credible performance as a woman torn between doing her duty to her family and listening to her heart, and the courage she displays in choosing her own destiny. This is one of the most beautiful love stories to come out of Bollywood in recent years, and I heartily recommend it.