The film traces the life of two distinct individuals on two sides of patriotic idealism. Numer (an alias of a suicide bomber played by a newbie Anurag Singh) and Prof. Mathur (Anil Kapoor playing an Urdu professor at DU's Zakir Hussain Coll) symbolising black and white. While Numer is shown driven by fanaticism , Mathur is a peace-loving preachy lecturer who has become an epitome in chandni chowk for his secularism and harmony. The story revolves around Numer sneaking into Delhi, losing his inside-mentors, and subsequently plotting to misuse patronage given by Mathur and his wife (Played by shefali chayya). The bomber finally converts to drop his plan after an inner mind-battle.
Ups:
- Anurag Sinha is undoubtedly a good find. His screen presence is enthralling and he fills the role extremely well. His grim face demeanor in the movie givs a a meaning to the plot and the way he sketches the character is awe-inspiring. No reason why he should not have a good future though he is yet to tested more.
- Anil Kapoor is as usual awesome but a little preachy. he fits the role well but his character is too overdone to be belived. For instance, what kind of man would still attend indepence day show at red fort after duly cremating his wife been shot in bizaare shoot out at his place. Height of idealism. As said, somthings have to be ignored.
- The movie without doubt has a soul. It is not over preachy and conveys just about the right things in a not-so-overdone manner.
- Well shot.. The direction too has been nicely taken care of with no grandiosity as seen in many of Ghai's previous films
- Performance.... The powerhouse performances by Anurag, Anil, Shefali and one Gaffar Bhai (Dont know his real name.. but he made a heart winning 84 year old actor with charismatic urdu touch)
- Sukhwinder's music is not out of the league yet gives a good support to the story. Few hummable songs and nothing much to rave about except "Yeh hindustaan.. " and a sangeet song...
Downs:
- Character development with lots of loopholes... Sketchy characters that are underdeveloped and hastily grown along the storyline
- Climax is not as wholesome and almost dragged to bore. Though there is no cliched ending to the movie yet it gives you moments when you have to stare at your watch to know how longer...
The movie is worth a watch if not a repeat. It will nonetheless make enough profit considering its low investment but i am sure this movie was filmed not as a business but as a meaningful cinema. With so many stereotypical movies about patriotism churned out every patriotic-season, this one manages to hold on its own with a distinct streak....
