Director: Farhan Akhtar
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan 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 huge fan of Zinta and adore the films which she has made in her career. However, “Lakshya” definitely stands out as her most underrated work. Released back in 2004, Farhan Akhtar’s film offered breathtaking 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 Preity Zinta, who embodies a strong Indian news reporter covering the warfare of India. 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. Forming a friendship with the bold news reporter Romi (Preity Zinta), Karan is determined to conquer a war of India. Karan embarks on a journey to protect his nation. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Karan soon questions whether it is truly possible for him to become a powerful 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 admirable aspect of “Lakshya” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood war movies that you will ever see. Taking inspiration in 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 that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture an Indian soldier’s devotion to his nation. Javed Akhtar’s greatest strength as a screenwriter is his ability to capture lives of soldiers under pressure through dramatic monologues. For instance, the monologues elevate the speech scene. During this bold scene, Karan delivers a meaningful speech expressing his strong devotion towards his nation. Through bold dramatic monologues, Akhtar creates a portrait of Indian soldiers audiences can relate to. Monologues aren’t simple techniques to use in Bollywood films. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” suggested, monologues enhance Bollywood films about broken marriages. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Akhtar captures the lives of soldiers which experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Preity Zinta delivers one of her best career performances as Romila. Zinta first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroines in classic Bollywood movies. With “Lakshya”, however, she took on her most demanding role. It isn’t easy to play a female journalist that covers stories of war but she pulls it off successfully. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: charming, bold and emotional in her most underrated role. With riveting expressions, she captures the ambition, bravery and grief experienced by a female journalist covering war destruction. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actresses working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Zinta, the supporting cast is exceptional and worthy of appreciation. Hrithik Roshan is remarkable, capturing the dedication of an Indian soldier that embarks on a mission. Amitabh Bachchan is brilliant, bringing an authority to a colonel that is determined to guide his war-torn nation. Lastly, Boman Irani merits appreciation. As Karan’s father, he brings wisdom to the movie.
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.
Nevertheless, fans of Preity Zinta will enjoy “Lakshya” and so would audiences seeking meaningful entertainment. A breathtaking Bollywood war blockbuster, it celebrated an actress audiences treasure.
Nearly 22 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood film about a soldier that embarks on a mission to serve his nation, it’s a riveting reminder of a beloved Indian actress that has established a reputation through her abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable films throughout her career which are absolutely worthy of appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 