Writer/Director: Rakesh Roshan
Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta and Rekha
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in India are as beloved as Preity Zinta. Ever since her rise towards recognition in the 1990’s, Zinta has become a beloved icon in Bollywood. Whether it is passionate lovers, historical figures or the lovers of soldiers, Zinta has played several strong characters. Arguably, Zinta’s finest strength as an actress has always been her strong dramatic range. She is one of those rare actresses that has always had a talent for portraying characters in various genres. Through her abilities to portray characters audiences can relate to, Zinta has become a beloved actress with value. Throughout a powerful career, Zinta has made many bold movies which are undeniably worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Zinta and adore all movies she has made in her career. However, “Koi…Mil Gaya” definitely stands out as being her most underrated movie. Released in 2003, Rakesh Roshan’s movie offered a fantastic Indian remake of Steven Spielberg’s “E.T.”. Packed with stunning special effects, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a spectacular Bollywood sci-fi blockbuster. At the centre of it all is a brilliant performance by Preity Zinta, who portrays a woman that seeks to battle an alien dilemma. Although “Koi…Mil Gaya” is a breathtaking Bollywood sci-fi blockbuster, it isn’t a flawless film. It’s unevenly paced, heavily borrowing concepts from classic Hollywood sci-fi movies. That being said, it offers engaging entertainment that would definitely without a doubt satisfy fans of Preity Zinta.
“Koi…Mil Gaya” tells the story of a mentally disabled boy that forms a friendship with an alien in India. Hrithik Roshan portrays Rohit Mehra, a young man with a mental disability that causes trauma. Due to his intellectual disorder, Rohit has often struggled to fit in a school where his peers treat him in a cruel manner. However, Rohit’s life changes when he forms a friendship with an alien creature. Jadoo is an extra-terrestrial alien motivating Rohit to make dreams come true. Assisted by his girlfriend Nisha (Preity Zinta), Rohit seeks to protect Jadoo from police causing a dilemma. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Rohit wonders whether he would be able to rescue an extra-terrestrial alien in danger.
Rakesh Roshan has always been fascinated by themes of friendship. A fantastic Indian filmmaker, Roshan has often made brilliant films about friendships in danger. His iconic film “Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai” offered a strong portrait of friends turned lovers which face a price to pay. With “Koi…Mil Gaya”, however, Roshan made his first sci-fi blockbuster. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to convey the emotions of aliens from extra-terrestrial galaxies but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Roshan captures the life of a young man forming friendships with aliens from a galaxy. Emulating Steven Spielberg’s “E.T.”, Roshan efficiently employs montages to capture a young man forming friendships with aliens. For instance, montages elevate the alien friendship scene. During this bold scene, Rohit meets Jadoo for the first time sparking their lifelong friendship. Using bold montages, Roshan crafts a portrait of aliens that’s compelling. Montages are not an easy technique to use in films. As Nikhil Advani’s “Kal Ho Naa Ho” claimed, montages elevate Bollywood films about terminal illness. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Roshan captures the tensions displaced aliens roaming on Earth are facing.
Another aspect of “Koi…Mil Gaya” deserving appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the finest Bollywood sci-fi films you will watch. Inspired by Ridley Scott’s “Alien”, Roshan deftly uses practical effects to crafts portrait of extra-terrestrial aliens. For instance, visual effects enhance the chase scene. During this intense scene, Rohit and his friends are chased after being caught by police for aliens. Using engaging practical effects, Roshan creates a portrait of aliens that’s engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is fantastic. Rajesh Roshan’s music contributes to the success of the film. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the burden aliens bear. Using bold production., Roshan crafts a strong portrait of an alien.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Koi…Mil Gaya” is a Bollywood sci-fi blockbuster that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and expertly uses silence to convey hardship extra-terrestrial aliens experience. For instance, silence enhances the farewell scene. During this emotional scene, Rohit is upset when he bids emotional goodbyes to Jadoo. Through silence, Roshan creates a portrait of aliens which audiences relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in most Bollywood movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” claimed, silence elevates Bollywood movies about broken marriages. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Roshan captures the lives of aliens that experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Preity Zinta delivers one of her best career performances as Nisha. Zinta first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Koi…Mil Gaya”, however, she took upon her most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray a woman that forms friendships with aliens, but she succeeded immensely. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her in past: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. With captivating expressions, she conveys the angst, bravery and grief faced by a woman forming bonds with aliens. It’s an exceptional performance from one of the most talented actresses in India today.
While the film is mainly a bold showcase for Preity Zinta, the supporting cast is brilliant and worthy of recognition. Hrithik Roshan is remarkable, capturing the passion of a man that forms bonds with aliens he regards with affection. Anuj Sharma is superb, bringing charisma to a school bully which mistreats Rohit causing trauma. Lastly, Rekha merits appreciation. As Rohit’s mother, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Despite its strong performances, however, Koi…Mil Gaya” can’t quite capture tension faced by aliens in India. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks strong pacing. Roshan’s decisions to incorporate subplots about Rohit’s family life into the film is bold but hinders the pacing. Due to this technique, scenes focusing on Rohit’s bond with his mother aren’t as engaging as his alien friendship. Moreover, the film lacks originality. It borrows from Hollywood sci-fi films without any ingenuity. Therefore, “Koi…Mil Gaya” is one of those Bollywood movies not everyone will adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Preity Zinta will enjoy “Koi…Mil Gaya” and so will audiences that seek exhilarating entertainment. A riveting Bollywood sci-fi blockbuster, it celebrated a beloved actress audiences in India treasure.
Nearly 25 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood movie about a young man forming friendships with an alien, it’s a bold reminder of an Indian actress that has built a powerful reputation through her abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies which have always attracted global appreciation.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 