Writer/Director: Mani Ratnam
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Manisha Koirala and Preity Zinta
‘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 big fan of Zinta and adore all the films she has made in her career. However, “Dil Se” definitely stands out as her most bold film. Released in 1998, Mani Ratnam’s film offered a powerful portrayal of terrorism in India. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it is a terrific terrorism drama. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Preity Zinta, who portrays a woman that becomes victim of terrorism in India. Ultimately, what makes “Dil Se” a meaningful masterpiece is its message. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a powerful message about dire consequences of terrorism which resonate with everyone. A riveting masterpiece about terrorism, there are several reasons why “Dil Se” is a movie that is 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 plays Amar Verma, a powerful broadcaster that works for a radio station in India. As he is assigned task to investigate a region of Assam, Amar is excited by a bright prospect of his profession. However, Amar’s life drastically changes when he falls in love with a mysterious woman on his assignment named Moina. Moina is a quiet woman that keeps identity shrouded in secrecy. Despite her silent nature, it doesn’t take long before Amar suddenly falls deep in love with Moina. Unaware of her true identity, Amar falls in love with Moina quickly. That being said, his big dream of marrying Moina is threatened when he finds shocking secrets about her dark past. Finding out grim secrets about terrorism associations, Amar soon begins to question his relationship with a woman that is embarking upon a doomed path of self-destruction.
Mani Ratnam is fascinated with terrorism. Before he made “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 big price to pay. With “Dil Se”, however, he made his first ever 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 that is as engrossing as the bombs exploding in the skies. Through spellbinding cinematography, Ratnam captures the bond between lovers that face terrorism. Ratnam expertly uses montages to capture the bond of lovers in a country impacted by terrorism tragedies. For instance, montages enhance the Dil Se song. During this heartwarming scene, Amar forms strong bonds with Moina amidst terrorism tragedies. One appreciates montages capturing a bond between lovers spending time in a country that’s affected by terrorism tragedies. Montages are tricky techniques. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham” proved, montages enhance classic Bollywood movies capturing lives of deteriorated indian 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. 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 uses the settings of trains to stage memorable music sequences showing 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 be facing. One acknowledges the backdrops of trains which capture the consequences posed by terrorism. Through the unique setting of trains, Ratnam creates a strong portrait of terrorism audiences can easily relate to. Moreover, the musical score is fantastic. A.R. Rahman’s music is integral towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the burden terrorists bear. Through phenomenal production-design, Ratnam demonstrates terrorism causing romantic relationships to decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Dil Se” is a Bollywood film about terrorism that’s engaging. The film is extremely well written, and effectively uses foreshadowing to capture grim consequences of terrorism a couple is facing. Ratnam’s screenwriting strength is capturing the consequences of terrorism through the use of foreshadowing. Throughout the movie, Ratnam uses subtle hints to foreshadow consequences that a couple experiencing terrorism is facing. For instance, foreshadowing elevates the fight scene. During this memorable scene, Amar has a fight with Moina regarding her identity that’s shrouded in secrecy. One appreciates foreshadowing hinting at the dangers which a couple is facing. Foreshadowing is a tricky technique to use in most modern Bollywood movies. As Yash Chopra’s “Veer-Zaara” had demonstrated, foreshadowing elevates films about romance. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a superb screenplay, Ratnam captures terrorism in India that has come with a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Preity Zinta delivers one of her best career performances as Preeti. Zinta first earned appreciation for playing heroines in classic Bollywood movies. With “Dil Se”, however, the actress took on her most complex role. It’s not easy to portray a woman that faces terrorism in India but she succeeds. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most memorable role. With riveting expressions, she captures angst, bravery and strong spirit of a woman that seeks to overcome terrorist destruction. It’s a strong performance from one of the most beloved actresses in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Zinta, the supporting cast is also superb and worthy of recognition. Shah Rukh Khan is spectacular, capturing the brave nature of a dedicated journalist seeking to investigate a grim terrorism disaster. Manisha Koirala is magnificent, bringing charisma to a woman that secretly participates in terrorism which causes a big dilemma in India. Last but not least, Zohra Segal merits appreciation. As a grandmother, she brings an air of wisdom to the film.
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 Preity Zinta would absolutely enjoy “Dil Se” and so would audiences seeking meaningful entertainment. A breathtaking Bollywood terrorism drama, it honours an actress that’s beloved in India.
Nearly 30 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood film about a journalist with wisdom that investigates a shocking case of terrorism, it’s a strong reminder of an Indian actress that has created memorable movies throughout her illustrious career without any problem which definitely without a doubt are worthy of stardom.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 