Kurbaan .. One more of those could have been great movies that went thud

How I love films that unfold so fast you dont get time to think.. Kurbaan starts off that way. The Avantika and Khan falling in love before you adjust your posterior against the cramped seats of PVR saket. And the story unfolds in short frames so beautiful you begin to sit back and start to have that nasty thing called ‘expectations’ creep up. Then it presents a beautiful Nauheed cyrusi with the right expressions on her short role.. a pretty and confident Dia Mirza and a little irritating Vivek Oberoi and a plot getting thick. You see Ompuri, Kirron Kher, your expectations hit the roof.. you start appreciating the brilliance that Kareena kapoor can be when she is given a meaty role. You start enjoying, the plot that still hasn’t revealed itself enough for you to take sides, you don’t know who is the hero. The feel is international, and the camerawork glitchless.. and then comes a twist and comes the interval.. You are left confused.. but your heart says you will like it.

You wait for the movie to roll again. You wait for that brilliant turn you have been expecting..and then, it falls, and how. Endless speeches on islam that we have heard enough. America, Iraq, Afghanistan.. ok thank you now go ahead.. and then comes turns and twists that are way too fabricated to be believable. actors struggle to hold on to the roles that have treated them so well so far. The movie goes ahead, digs a trench and buries itself deep. And as it ends leaving questions in you mind like “where is the bloody love story”.. it ends amidst some amateurish shots and acting.. and you say #fail

So here is what works for the movie.. Rensil D’silvas’s wonderful directorial debut. The strength of the actors, every one of them. Vivek is probably the weakest link with though. Saif is over shadowed as he underplays his character. Kareena shows how effective an actress she is. The warhorses Kirron kher and Om Puri are wasted though just their presence makes their roles seem longer. Dia Mirza is rediscovered ..

What doesnt work? the story.. Yes, Karan has the ability to write stories where the viewer cannot relate to anyone. Remember kabhi Alvida na Kehna where you were left wondering who should we like? Movies cannot be so diplomatic. They are enjoyable only when the audience can take a side and want the hero, heroine, villain or someone to win at the end of the day.. I dont want to like everyone..and the movie in its effort to stay neutral, spoils everything that has going for it. Kurbaan could have been a great film if only it was wrapped up well..

I cant deal with films that fail to make me feel.. this was one of them .. and like I said. If I want another 9/11 themed movie.. I would go back and watch ‘khuda ke liye’

And I am NOT watching my name is khan .. nope