Director: Farhan Akhtar
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Bollywood have earned praise of Amitabh Bachchan. Following his rise to fame amid the 1970’s, Bachchan has transformed in a legendary Bollywood icon. Whether it’s inspiring teachers, frustrated fathers or patriotic leaders, Bachchan has played many strong characters. Arguably, Bachchan’s best strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare Indian actors that has always had strong presence which has elevated every movie he is in. Through his capabilities to create characters which audience can easily relate to, Bachchan has become a celebrated Bollywood icon that audiences value. Although he is best known for roles in Bollywood, Bachchan has proven he excels in every genre. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Bachchan has never lost long lasting passion for entertainment. Throughout his illustrious career, Bachchan has produced countless movies which are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Bachchan and adore all the films which he has made in his career. However, “Lakshya” definitely stands out as his most underrated work. Released back in 2001, Farhan Akhtar’s film offered powerful portraits of Indian soldiers. Packed with bold production design, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the greatest war films ever made in India. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Amitabh Bachchan, who embodies a strong Indian army colonel that guides his nation. Ultimately, what makes “Lakshya” a classic Bollywood movie is universal appeal. Unlike most war movies, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. An incredible Indian war drama, there are many strong reasons why “Lakshya” is a movie which is definitely worth watching.
“Lakshya” tells a story of a young man that embarks on a journey to become a soldier in India. Hrithik Roshan plays Karan Shergill, a jobless college student with little prospects of a bright future. Aimless, lazy and lacking responsibility, Karan has never taken his life seriously. However, Karan’s life dramatically changes when he is enlisted in the army as a solider. Under the supervision of Col. Sunil Damle (Amitabh Bachchan), Karan embarks on a journey to protect his nation. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Karan questions whether it’s possible to become a successful soldier.
Farhan Akhtar has always been fascinated with themes of identity. A fantastic Indian filmmaker, Akhtar has often made engaging movies about young Indian men seeking to find identity. His iconic film “Dil Chahta Hai” offered a powerful portrait of friends facing a price to pay. With “Lakshya”, however, the filmmaker made his first ever war drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the struggles of soldiers in the Indian army but he succeeded immensely. Using strong cinematography, Akhtar captures an Indian soldier embarking upon a journey to find his identity. Evoking Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan”, Akhtar deftly uses montages to capture soldiers that experience tension. For instance, montages enhance the armies training scene. During this sad scene, Karan trains with fellow soldiers for an Indian army. Using montages, Akhtar crafts a portrait of war there engaging. Montages are tricky to use in most films. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, montages elevate Bollywood movies about the lives of broken families. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Akhtar captures tensions that soldiers in the armies are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Lakshya” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive Bollywood movies which you will ever see. Emulating Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now”, Akhtar successfully uses costumes to showcase the transformations of a man into a soldier. Throughout the film, Karan’s clothes exhibit his transformations in an Indian solider. For instance, costumes elevate the army enlistment scene. During this memorable scene, Karan enlists Indian armies engaging in warfare that impacts his identity. Using captivating costumes, Akhtar creates a portrait of Indian soldiers which is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the film an atmosphere capturing the heavy burden soldiers facing warfare bear. Through stunning production, Akhtar captures hardships faced by soldiers on a mission.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Lakshya” is a Bollywood war movie which is engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the hardships which soldiers in war experience. Inspired with Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List”, Akhtar expertly uses silence to convey hardships faced by soldiers that are in need of a list. For instance, silence enhances the soldier farewell scene. During this heartfelt scene, Karan bids emotional farewell to the soldiers in a war. Through a use of silence, Akhtar captures hardships that soldiers in war experience. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” suggested, silence enhances Bollywood movies about broken families. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through a spectacular screenplay, Akhtar captures Indian soldiers that experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Amitabh Bachchan delivers one of his best career performances as Col. Sunil Damle. Bachchan first earned appreciation playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood films. With “Lakshya”, however, he took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray an Indian colonel enlisting in army but he pulls it off successfully. This is the star unlike you have ever seen before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most complicated role. With strong expressions, he captures angst, bravery and grief of an army colonel guiding nations. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most commemorated actors that is working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Amitabh Bachchan, the supporting cast is also excellent and worthy of appreciation. Hrithik Roshan is remarkable, capturing the tension faced by a solider that struggles to care for his nation. Preity Zinta is powerful, bringing charisma to a woman that falls in love with a decorated soldier in india. Lastly, Om Puri merits appreciation. As an elderly army leader, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “Lakshya” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing trauma of soldiers in India. Unlike most Bollywood movies, the film tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes such as ambition, career and responsibility everyone will easily relate to. Viewers don’t need to be entirely familiar with Indian history to enjoy it. Therefore, “Lakshya” is one of those rare Bollywood movies about war that everyone would adore.
Fans of Amitabh Bachchan will absolutely enjoy “Lakshya” and so would audiences seeking meaningful entertainment. A bold Bollywood war drama, it celebrates a strong actor with charisma in India.
Nearly 25 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about a lacy young man enlisting in the Indian army, it’s an incredible reminder of an actor that’s built a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies which audiences have grown to care about deeply.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 