The Word Is LAKSHYA!. Review on Lakshya

It is not exactly difficult to picture an aimless Vagabond whiling away time in bowling alleys, who suddenly with a burst of determination becomes a practical and straightforward person and ends up doing something heroic. (This is precisely what happened a few years in Govind Nihalani's Vijeta.) Moreover, this formula is not at all unique for Bollywood.

What is unique, is the way ''Lakshya'' has been made and the way different parameters blend to form a good movie.

THE MOVIE

Those who have watched the movie, kindly excuse me for providing a summary. The central character of the film is Karan Shergill (Hrithik Roshan), a confused and lazy youth with no ambition in life whatsoever. He becomes increasingly erratic until he suffers a break-up with his girlfriend (Preity Zinta), and the disappointment of his father (Boman Irani), who has abandoned all hope for his son. Finally, after emerging from a great deal of sorrow and humility, he manages to find his ''Lakshya'' as an army officer.

The storyline may seem ordinary; it may seem to be a typical masala film, but it has a much more concrete base than that of masala films. In fact, Lakshya is not even just another military film. The movie carries a message: not only regarding Indo-Pak peace proposals, but also about how someone can achieve their dreams, irrespective of how impossible they seem.

Also, the character of Karan Shergill falls apart from the clichéd genre of Bollywood heroes. He does not tragically wallow in self-pity, but sacrifices everything to attain his aim. He is not among the people who say, ''Koi hudum naa raha''. All he says is, ''Lakshya toh har haal mein paana hai''.

Karan Shergill resides in almost every individual. All of us, at one point of time or the other, have been or will be a Karan Shergill - confused about our aims and the paths that lead to them.

THE CAST

Hrithik has delivered a flawless performance. The twist in his character from a carefree boy to a responsible lieutenant has been amazingly worked out. His perfectly timed dialogues (by none other than Dear Javed Akhtar sahab), and the tensely furious gestures are really cool. Then comes Amitabh Bachchan as Colonel Sunil Damle. His commanding presence is one of the major factors that maintain the thrill in the movie. Preity Zinta is just great, looks gorgeous in the new hairstyle. She plays Romila Dutta, an upright and determined journalist with a highly conscientious mind.

Another important actor is Sushant Singh, today's best supporting actor. He was simply superb in 16 December and The Legend of Bhagat Singh. Here in Lakshya, he plays Captain Jalal Akbar, a highly patriotic, tough-and-tender officer who prefers to be known as an Indian rather than a Muslim.

Boman Irani, as always, is incomparable. An aggressive and strict father, who may be hard at his wasted son, but is most proud to see his son in the maidan-e-jung.

Om Puri is okay, as Sub Major Pritam Singh, an elderly and experienced jawan, and Karan Shergill's mentor.

The biggest con in the movie is that great actors like Raj Zutshi (Major Kaushal Verma) and Sharad Kapoor (Major Vinod Sengupta), and Om Puri hardly have any role to play. They only seem to exist for the publicity of the movie.

Shankar Ehsaan and Loy steal the show yet again. After musical blockbusters like Kal Ho Naa Ho and Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya is another jewel in their crown.

The songs are beautifully shot, and Hrithik's dancing talent dominates the first two numbers. Main Aisa Kyon Hoon is a cool foot-tapping song shot in an amphitheatre where Hrithik dances greatly, sporting a confused look on his face. Agar Main Kahoon is one of the greatest Udit Narayan-Alka Yagnik duets shot in ancient ruins. The title song has been shot at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, depicting the combat training received by prospective army men.

Kandhon Se Milte Hain Kandhe is easily the best of the lot. The large convoys of trucks, jawans marching down hillocks and loading arms in trucks, and the riverside encampments really create the josh effect.

The photography is beautifully realistic - hats off to Christopher Popp! The brutality and bloodshed of the Kargil War comes out clearly. On the other hand, the heavenly beauty of Kashmir and Ladakh is the most charming feature of the movie. (Watch out for the scenes of choppers ascending through snowy valleys and shepherds playing flute in the midst of flocks of sheep.)

Few directors have been as stylish as Farhan Akhtar. He has given a humorous DCH touch to the film, at the same time making it a tense and thrilling action movie.

So here is Lakshya. Isn't it time Hindi filmmakers focused upon such solid concepts?