Writer/Director: Yash Chopra
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherji
‘A Mesmerizing Masterpiece’
Few directors in Bollywood are as beloved as Yash Chopra. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1950’s, Chopra has proven to be one of the greatest filmmakers in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s the stories of star-crossed lovers, couples facing broken marriages or women in affairs, Chopra has crafted several memorable movies. Chopra’s finest strength as an Indian filmmaker is his ability to tell love stories which are realistic. Through his abilities to tell stories which are compelling, Chopra has become an icon in India that’s celebrated. Despite his age of retirement, Chopra has never lost a passion for making strong entertainment. A legendary figure in India, Chopra has become an icon in Bollywood Cinema. His studio Yash Raj Films is a world-leader in Bollywood films. Several years after his tragic passing, Chopra left behind a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his commemorated career, Chopra has directed countless memorable Bollywood movies which are definitely without any doubt certainly worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Yash Chopra and admire all the movies he made throughout his illustrious career. I grew up watching the Bollywood movies made by the world-famous filmmaker that shaped my childhood. However, “Veer-Zaara” has always been my favourite. Ever since its release in 2004, Yash Chopra’s commemorated movie has stood the test of time as a Bollywood classic. Packed with extraordinary production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Indian movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Shah Rukh Khan. In one of his most iconic performances, Khan proves why he’s one of the greatest actors working in Bollywood today. Ultimately, the film delivers a meaningful message about love which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it discusses powerful themes everyone would relate to. A touching Indian masterpiece about partition, there are many strong reasons why “Veer-Zaara” is a commemorated movie which is definitely worth watching.
“Veer-Zaara” tells a story of romance between a pair of lovers from opposing countries. Shah Rukh Khan portrays Veer Pratap Singh, a Hindi Squadron leader which works for the Indian Air Force. Veer’s life forever changes when he falls deeply in love with Zaara (Preity Zinta). Zaara is a Pakistani woman that comes from a social class that’s different. Veer immediately takes a linking to Zaara even in spite of the fact she is from a different social class. However, the love affair of the couple is threatened by barriers of their different countries. When Zaara’s parents discover their daughter is in love with an Indian man, they strictly forbid her from meeting Veer. Wrongfully convicted for crimes that he did not commit, Veer is forced to spend the rest of his life in prison. Facing a dilemma, Zaara begins to question if she has any chances of pursuing romance with a man from India. As the pair of lovers are torn apart by circumstances beyond their control, they question whether they would ever achieve their goal.
Yash Chopra has always been fascinated with love stories. A legendary filmmaker in India, he has always been drawn towards telling stories of romance. His classic movie “Kabhi Kabhie” provided engaging glimpses at a romance that ended in tragedy. With “Veer-Zaara”, however, Chopra created his first drama about partition in India. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture lovers facing barriers, but he pulled it off successfully. Using strong cinematography, Chopra captures the journey of two lovers that bond from different countries. Visually, the film is a spellbinding feast for the eyes. Chopra has always made films which are visually stunning, and “Veer-Zaara” is definitely no exception. It’s a beautifully shot movie which is filled to brim with breathtaking visuals. Chopra successfully uses montages to capture the bonds between lovers which originate different countries. For instance, montages enhance the Yeh Jo Desh Hai Tara musical sequence. During this strong scene, Veer and Zaara bond together on a trip taking place on a truck. Through spellbinding montages, Chopra captures the bond between lovers which are stunning. Montages are tricky techniques to use in Bollywood films. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, montages elevate Indian movies about dysfunctional families. Nevertheless, they work immensely in this film. Through gorgeous visuals, Chopra captures long-lasting bonds of lovers that are precious.
Another admirable aspect of “Veer-Zaara” is the production. Yash Chopra has always been skilled at staging memorable music sequences in his films, “Veer-Zaara” is no exception. The movie is extremely well made, and features the most stunning musical sequences that you will ever see in an Indian movie. Chopra effectively stages unforgettable musical sequences using meticulous dance choreography. For instance, the dance choreography enhances the “Main Yahan Hoon” musical scene. During this strong scene, Zaara mourns the loss of Veer who isn’t visible at her wedding ceremony. One marvels dance choreography capturing bonds between lovers from different social classes. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Madan Mohan’s music captures the bonds between lovers that are torn apart by social class differences that are tragic. Through commendable production-design, Chopra illustrates long-lasting bonds between couples that shine.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Veer-Zaara” is a classic Indian film that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks to tell story about a romance between lovers that come from different social classes. Chopra’s finest screenwriting strength is capturing the bonds between lovers through non-linear storytelling. The film effectively switches back and forth between two different timelines: Veer’s prison incarceration and his romance with Zaara in his past. Through this ingenious non-linear structure, Chopra captures tense hardships which lovers go through. For instance, non-linear storytelling elevates the opening jail scene. During this heartfelt scene, Veer tells the tale of his past romance with Zaara from the confines of his jail. One appreciates non-linear storytelling capturing a bond between couples declining. Non-linear storytelling is a tricky technique to use in Bollywood movies. As Karan Johar’s “My Name is Khan” proved clearly, non-linear storytelling elevates films about terrorism. Nevertheless, it works really well in this film. Through a strong screenplay, Chopra captures bonds of lovers which come with a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his greatest career performances as Veer. Khan achieved appreciation for playing star-crossed lovers in romantic dramas. With “Veer-Zaara”, however, he took on his most tragic role. It isn’t easy to portray an Indian man wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, but Khan succeeds tremendously. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his natural charisma as an icon in India. With spellbinding expressions, Khan captures the bravery, desperation and lovesick nature of a man wrongfully convicted of a crime that he did not commit. It’s a stellar performance from one of the greatest actors in Bollywood today.
Preity Zinta is powerful as a Pakistani woman which faces a dilemma when she falls in love with an army officer in India. While Khan gets the showier role, Zinta is equally excellent as a woman whose downtrodden life spirals out of control. As Zaara, Zinta successfully used her body language to capture the personality of a woman in love with a man from India. Whether she’s joyously flirting with Veer in his homeland or shedding tears on her wedding, Zinta deftly uses her body language to capture persona of a woman in love with a Pakistani man. It’s a powerful performance by one of the greatest actresses working in the Indian film industry today.
Lastly, Rani Mukherji merits appreciation. As a powerful Pakistani lawyer, she brings gravitas to the movie.
Finally, “Veer-Zaara” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing romances that face a dilemma. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. The film discusses universal themes including identity, marriage and imprisonment that would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be of Indian identities to relate to the movie. It delivers a strong message about social class that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Veer-Zaara” is one of those rare Bollywood movies which everyone would be able to adore.
Fans of Yash Chopra will definitely appreciate “Veer-Zaara” and so will movie-goers seeking heartwarming entertainment. A mesmerizing Indian masterpiece, it celebrates a filmmaker that has built a lasting legacy by making movies that are worth watching.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Indian film about lovers pursuing romantic relationships that are doomed to a tragic ending, it’s a riveting reminder about a legendary filmmaker that built a lasting legacy by telling compelling love stories that always left audiences captivated whose movies are definitely worth celebrating several years after his tragic death left the Bollywood film industry in a state of mourning.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 