By: Smitha Nambiar

Monday, November 15, 2004

Director: Yash Chopra
Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Preity Zinta
Producer: Yashraj films
Music: Late Madan Mohan

The much talked about Yash Chopra's Veer-Zaara has finally released. It is after eight years that Yash returned with a love legend - a love story of courage and integrity.

The movie like any other Yash Chopra film begins with the slow love happening between Squadron leader Veer Pratap Singh (Shah Rukh Khan) and Zaara Hayaat Khan (Preity Zinta), a Pakistani girl. Veer is a humble, generous man with a clear heart who loves unconditionally. He is a selfless person who risks his own life to save others. It is while on duty that Veer meets Zaara, a carefree, enthusiastic girl full of life. Zaara has come to India to fulfill her surrogate mother's dying wish. She meets with a bus accident leaving her stranded in a foreign land. Veer saves her life. The story goes on as Veer goes about showing her his hometown Punjab and takes her to visit his uncle and aunt (Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini). The time Veer and Zaara spend together forms a bond that is absolutely divine, transcending into pure love. However, destiny had different plans for the lovebirds. They had to separate...

Twenty-two years later, Saamiya Siddiqui Rani Mukherjee), a Pakistani lawyer on her first case, finds herself face-to-face with an aging Veer Pratap Singh. Saamiya finds Veer in a dazed state, not uttering a word. Saamiya's mission in life is to uphold justice and fight for women's empowerment. This most difficult case was given to her on purpose to discourage her from being successful. However, Saamiya is very determined and decide to get to the bottom of the case. Saamiya tries to befriend Veer who slowly responds. When she comes to know the entire story, she is deeply moved and pledges to fight for justice and unite Veer and Zaara. What happens next? Will Saamiya be able to bring them together? Where is Zaara? All this forms the plot of the film.

Shah Rukh Khan as usual is extremely charismatic and is able to portray all the teeny-weeny shades of the character with utmost earnestness. His performance as the old man in the courtroom where after being pardoned of all crimes reads out a poem can melt even the toughest of tough hearts. Preity Zinta is terrific too and easily slips into Zaara's slippers. Rani Mukherjee sure had a very 'meaty' role and has given a brilliant perfomance. One can easily relate to the idealistic lawyer who fights for the less privileged and the needy. Kirron Kher, Divya Dutta and Manoj Bajpai bring tremendous feeling to the supporting parts.

Movie's strongest points are its photography and music by Late Madan Mohan and its recreation by his son Sanjeev Kohli and Yash Chopra. The lyrics are wonderful. Veer Zaara has eleven unused tunes of the musical genius, late Madan Mohan (selected from over 150 tunes).

It is very interesting to notice that though Veer-Zaara is a cross-border epic, there are no political overtones. The beautiful, emotionally charged story sure manages to bring tears into your eyes and you come out of the theatre feeling refreshed and somewhat heavy at heart.

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