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Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Kabul Express (2006) - Hindi Movie Review

Ranking: 2.5/5

Cast: Arshad Warsi, John Abraham, a no-name-American, Hanif Hum Ghum, Salman Shahid
Director: Kabir Khan
Music:


So Jai (Arshad) a cameraman and Suhel (John) a reporter, are on their way to Kabul to get a documentary on Taliban. They are on a hunt to find a Talib in flesh and blood and are being assisted by Khyber (Hanif) who drives Kabul Express, a car. Khyber sets up a meeting with a Talib with the help of Pakistani soldiers but the Talib escapes from them and he sees Jai and Suhel.

He tracks them down and tries to use them to help his getaway into Pakistan which he claims is his homeland. Jai, Suhel, and Khyber are being terrorized by the talib who calls himself Imran Khan Afridi (Salman Shahid). Some funny moments arise when Jai and Imran discuss about cricket.

Enroute to Pakistan they are overcome by many hurdles. They are stopped by the Hazaras during which Imran escapes and laters rescues Jai, Suhel, and Khyber from them. There they also meet and save the American journalist (the no-name actress) and her driver who have been on Jai's and Suhel's tracks and were now imprisoned by the Hazaras.

They continue the journey together. They visit Imran's daughter's village, and go through many struggling moments before finally reaching Pakistani border but also being hunt down by the army...Does Imran make it to the other side of the border or not?...It is not a big surprise you will guess this part much before the director even brings the story to the end....

Anyways, the review...the movie is not worth wasting time on. John and Arshad are good but the movie is not convincing. The plot is not clear...the director tries to stay away from white and black areas and lingers around in gray areas. He is not clear if the Pakistani army is bad, or if he is trying to justify the Talib's feelings/life/existence, or if Americans are bad...What is the point? Is the point to let us know what Afghanistan has been reduced to by the Russians, Americans, Taliban, NA, and everyone else then this movie just came like a year or two too late. Because honestly, if you are the kind that reads, then you would know more than what the movie tells even before watching the movie. But I should not forget to appreciate the attempt because it is worth watching for the visuals. The story itself is reject quality.

I understand that Mr. Kabir Khan is a war journalist, maybe he should have stuck to it than moving into commercials. A documentary on this topic might be more interesting than the movie posing as a pseudo-documentary. Therefore, my advice is, if you have nothing better to do then you can waste your time on this fare.

4 comments:

Rajesh said...

I heard there are some protests and controversies looming around this one.

Kasi Alagappan said...

pHi Anu,
Wish u an exciting new year ahead :)
I must say that my opinions differ regd Kabul Exp. K.E is certainly the best pick from the recent lot of bollywood movies, which is away from the Zor-Shor that the latter offer. It gives an international flavor to the bollywood and perhaps no other director has made a fare out of such a contemporary theme in commercial segment. I was amazed with the boldness of Bedi's venture into Afghan, which itself speaks volumes abt his calibre. The picturisation, portrayal of characters and Warsi's humour has dwarfed the plot. And yes, there was a crux and a msg in the end if you had noticed. It showed the plight of Taliban(who are actually backed by Pak) are not given an entry there itself! Wasnt the last scene touching?

Kasi Alagappan said...

Hey,
Btw do leave ur comments on my last post. I need them very much!
Kasi

Anu Russell said...

Kasi,

I was bored to death when i saw this movie...honestly...