Writer/Director: Mani Ratnam
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Manisha Koirala and Preity Zinta
‘A Captivating Classic’
Terrorism is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in Indian movies with respect. In the wake of 9/11, it’s become tough to confront an issue in the world which causes heartache. Bollywood has often shied away from telling the stories of terrorism which come with a price to pay. A tough topic for filmmakers to tackle, terrorism is rarely ever depicted in Bollywood movies in a way which is realistic. It’s often tough for directors to tackle a sensitive topic that has become associated with controversies in the Indian film industry. When depicting terrorism in movies, it’s often common for directors to fall prey toward false stereotypes. Terrorists are always depicted as villains without a shred of humanity. Movies are an art form that have rarely captured a tragic event in history that tore lives apart. A painful subject matter, terrorism is seldom depicted in movies in a realistic manner. For these strong reasons, it’s rare to see authentic depictions of terrorism in movies today.
In an industry that has often shied away from depicting terrorism that comes with a painful price to pay, it’s worth praising “Dil Se”. Ever since its release in 1998, Shah Rukh Khan’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Mani Ratnam’s bold movie painted a powerful portrait of the consequences of terrorism in India. Packed with stunning production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the greatest Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Shah Rukh Khan, capturing a man falling in love with a terrorist. Ultimately, what makes “Dil Se” a meaningful masterpiece is its message. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about dire consequences of terrorism which would resonate with everyone. A riveting masterpiece about terrorism, there are several reasons why “Dil Se” is a movie that’s definitely without any doubt worth seeing.
“Dil Se” tells a story of a doomed romance that comes with a painful price to pay. Shah Rukh Khan portrays Amarkant Verma, a broadcaster that works for a radio station in India. When he is assigned the task of investigating a region of Assam, Amar is excited by the prospect of his work. However, Amar’s life drastically changes when he falls in love with a mysterious woman upon his assignment named Moina. Moina is a quiet woman that keeps her identity shrouded in secrecy. Despite her silent nature, it doesn’t take long before Amar falls in love with Moina. Unaware of her true identity, Amar falls in love with Moina quickly. That being said, his dream of marrying Moina is threatened when he finds shocking secrets about her dark past. Finding out grim secrets about terrorism associations, Amar begins to question his relationship with a woman that is embarking upon a doomed path of self-destruction.
Mani Ratnam has always been fascinated with the themes of terrorism. Before he directed “Dil Se”, Ratnam was well-known for making movies about the topic of terrorism in India. His award-winning film “Bombay” offered an engaging glimpse at dire bombings in Bombay which came with a painful price to pay. With “Dil Se”, however, he made his first drama about terrorism in India. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to dramatize barriers faced by lovers impacted by barriers of painful terrorist disasters but he succeeded. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes which is as engaging as bombs exploding in the skies. Through spellbinding cinematography, Ratnam captures the strong bond between lovers that face terrorism tragedies. Ratnam expertly uses montages to capture the bond between lovers in a country impacted by terrorism tragedies. For instance, the montages enhance the Dil Se musical sequence. During this heartwarming scene, Amar forms strong bonds with Moina amidst terrorism tragedies. One appreciates montages capturing the bond between lovers spending time together in a country affected by terrorism tragedies. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham” demonstrated, montages elevate Indian movies capturing lives of dysfunctional families. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through stunning visuals, Ratnam captures terrorist tragedies that are frightening.
Another admirable aspect of “Dil Se” which is worth discussing is production-design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Ratnam has always excelled at staging musical sequences for his movies, and “Dil Se” is no exception. Ratnam successfully uses the settings of trains to stage memorable musical sequences showcasing grim consequences of terrorism in India. For instance, the trains play a powerful role in the Chaiyya Chaiyya musical sequence. During this memorable scene, Amar embarks upon a train journey with individuals unaware of consequences he is going to soon be facing. One appreciates the backdrops of trains capturing the consequences posed by terrorism. Through the unique setting of trains, Ratnam creates a strong portrait of terrorism audiences can easily relate to. Trains are tricky settings to use in movies. As Aditya Chopra’s “Dilwale Dulhania Ley Jayenge” suggested, trains are settings that elevate romantic dramas. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is phenomenal. A.R. Rahman’s iconic music is integral towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the painful burden which terrorists bear. Through phenomenal production-design, Ratnam captures terrorism causing commemorated romantic relationships to decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Dil Se” is an Indian classic that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses foreshadowing to capture grim consequences of terrorism a couple is facing. Ratnam’s finest screenwriting strength is capturing the painful consequences of terrorism through the use of foreshadowing. Throughout the movie, Ratnam uses subtle hints to foreshadow the dangerous consequences that a couple amidst terrorism is facing. For instance, foreshadowing elevates the fight scene. During this memorable scene, Amar has a fight with Moina about her identity which is shrouded in secrecy. One appreciates foreshadowing hinting at the dangers which a couple is enduring. Foreshadowing is a tricky technique to use in modern Bollywood movies. As Yash Chopra’s “Veer-Zaara” demonstrated, foreshadowing elevates films about romantic lovers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a superb screenplay, Ratnam captures terrorism in India which comes with a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his greatest performances as Amar. Khan first achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroes in iconic Indian films. With “Dil Se”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a man that falls love with a terrorist woman facing tragedies but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and vulnerable in his most courageous role. It’s a role that gave Khan the chances to step out of his comfort zone by playing a character which wasn’t a typical romantic hero. With riveting expressions, he captures angst, determination and reckless nature of a man that falls madly in love with a terrorist with consequences that prove to be life-threatening. It’s a powerful performance from one of the greatest actors which is currently working in the Indian film industry today.
Manisha Koirala is magnificent as a terrorist woman that faces a dilemma when she falls in love with a man causing trauma. While Khan gets the showier role, Koirala is equally great as a woman whose life spirals out of control. Whether she is silently avoiding the presence of Amar or participating in terrorist tragedies, Koirala effectively uses strong expressions to capture a terrorist woman which is trapped in a stressful situation. Koirala is one of those actresses that has always excelled at communicating strong emotions through her expressions without any words, and “Dil Se” showcased her strengths as a commemorated actress. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most underrated actresses in India today.
Lastly, Preity Zinta merits appreciations. As a woman seeking marriage, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Dil Se” will earn the appreciations of everyone for capturing terrorism that comes with any price to pay. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles universal themes everyone would relate to. It discusses universal themes including identity, romance and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be Indian in identity to appreciate the movie. It delivers a universal message on terrorism which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Dil Se” is one of those rare Indian movies which everyone will definitely without a doubt adore.
Fans of Shah Rukh Khan will definitely appreciate “Dil Se” and so will movie-goers seeking heartbreaking entertainment. A mesmerizing masterpiece about terrorism in India, it captures a sensitive subject associated with trauma that’s rarely depicted in Cinema.
Nearly 30 years following the groundbreaking release of a commemorated Indian film about lovers experiencing romantic relationships in countries facing terrorism with a painful price to pay, it’s a riveting reminder about a traumatizing social problem that impacts individuals living in India in a massive way causing romances to go astray which deserves to be depicted in movies that are worth watching today.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 