REVIEW: Saif-Bebo's Kurbaan
There is a consistent feeling of intrigue while you watch Kurbaan. Almost like a time bomb waiting to go off. Debutant director Rensil D'Silva's ability to maintain the intense graph of Kurbaan is the biggest highlight of this film.
Karan Johar is turning out to be a remarkable producer. Dostana, Wake Up Sid and now Kurbaan. All his films have been narrated in a refreshing fashion, blending unconventional themes with commercial ingredients. In that sense, Kurbaan is the least commercial of the lot. Unlike New York and Fanaa, the terrorism track and Islamic fundamentalism is not sugar coated. The characters here are cold-blooded and rarely vulnerable.
Which is why Kurbaan is also not exactly a feel good watch. There are no moments of relief and the proceedings get a tad too heavy at few points. Kurbaan has a bang on first half. Two professors (Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor) meet in an university and decide to move abroad after marriage. On reaching the United States of America, Kareena of course realises there's something fishy about her husband. Kareena seeks help of a daredevil journalist (Vivek Oberoi) to find out what her husband is up to.
After an arresting start, the film gets a little shaky. Post interval the pace slackens and the tension between the lead characters becomes monotonous. In the second hour you often find yourself wanting some more action to give some respite from the talk heaviness. The writers run out of surprises in this part of the film. Given its grim plot, two hours and forty minutes is way too long for an average cinegoer. A taut, complex film starts culminating into a routine FBI chase. Things however pick up in a lengthy but well-executed climax shot on a subway station.
Kurbaan works in most parts because the director keeps the cinematic coincidences and liberties to the minimum. And wherever you do sense a leap of faith it is not jarring. Secondly, despite knowing how the characters will react, Rensil manages to shock you with his scenes. Note the moment where Saif reveals his identity. You know what it is all about, yet it hits you hard. Rensil doesn't digress from his core plot right up to the climax – which might meet with mixed reactions.
Of the cast, Kareena Kapoor displays the anxiety of her character well. But beyond a point, apart from looking worried, confused and helpless she has little to do. In many portions she performs and emotes a lot like her sister did in Fiza. Saif Ali Khan enacts the grey shades with perfection. But unfortunately his character loses bite towards the end. And he, too, like Kareena becomes one-dimensional in his part. Their much talked about love scene has a lot of bareback action, and is aesthetically shot.
However it is Vivek Oberoi who delivers a spontaneous performance. His character gives the film some much-needed energy. Vivek's part has more range than the lead pair's. Dia Mirza and Nauheed Cyrusi get the most significant guest appearances of their lives. Om Puri and Kirron Kher are clichéd but deliver some brilliant dialogues.
Salim-Suleiman's haunting tunes add to the stark premise of the film – especially Ali Maula. Technically the production values are top-notch even though cleverly inspired by Hollywood. Inconsistencies aside, Kurbaan is undoubtedly among the most watchable films of the season.
Verdict: Kurbaan could have been a tighter and perhaps slightly more engrossing film. But considering it is the director's maiden effort – full marks to Rensil D'Silva. He does well to stay away from any frothy elements at the cost of sacrificing the mass entertainment value. It's mostly a gripping thriller with several shock moments. Give it a shot.
Rating: 3.5/5
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Why u people are spreading rumours about a good movie?Nice
performance once again from saif.The narration of story is i
felt like ...
implemented in a good way...I liked it.. Kareena looking
good..
Kareena was superb..Must watch it
Really impressed by karan johar's movie they have come out
of the traditional love story the story is not that gr8 but
they have pictured it well the movie is slow at the start
but later it picks up the interest it has romance thrill
love and a nice story and for ur kind info whoever the
stupid person who just commented that worst movie directed
by karan johar let me remind u he is not the director of the
movie kindly know the details b4 ng worst comments about
movie
Punch line of the movie was given by vivek oberoi when he
was asked by an american classmate, as to why dont u leave
our country??
he replied- "i promise to leave your country, the day
u laeve mine"
go watch it if u really want to change your misconceptions
about i felt like ...
religions.. Coz no religion teaches violence.. It only
teaches peace!!
A pathetic movie..I fail to understand how ppl watch n
appreciate such brainless movies... A b grade movie with
some soft porn scenes of saif n kareena.
the director fails miserably to reach across to
audience... Pls avoid...
i rate it with another recent movie....Shortkut...
a poor directorial failure..
This was very much on the line of dil se, fanaa, and
newyork. Story got 90% resembelence with newyork, i would
say newyork was much better picturised. Kurbaan got many
weak points like -
a. Kareena calls to dia (1st on mobile then on landline)
instead of calling to police, obviously then the movie have
to be finished in the 1st half itself. Think kareena was
only concerned about dia and not other 200 people.
b. Our side becoing super hero to bust the terrorist group
by himself instead of reporting this to police, that could
have saved most of bombings.
c. Vivek's entry into the group to fill up the place of
someone else, as mentioned to be important person in the
group. But in the last he was simply carrying a bag along
with ompuri and saif, couldn't find that important role of
his in terror group when even ladies were carrying the bomb
bags in a group of 2 why 3 persons were needed in our heroes
group.
d. How saif entered into india and became the proff., he
even also got indian passport. Agree that it be easily faked
but not to the point that you can travel to us with a fake
passport.
e. What happened to the person who was holding kareena's
father in india.
f. Think no one ever tried to find out how th bomb reached
that flight.
altogether it was lower then expectations, not sure kjo
has maintained all the reviewers to give it 3.5 rating. I
would say at any point this shouldn't go more then 2.5.
Newyork as compared was much better pictureised, including
better convincing story.
This is a very good movie but probably not meant for the
general public. It is definitely not meant for brain dead
people. This is not the kind of movie that most people would
appreciate but if you believe in the specific genre of
movies that are aesthetically made pleaseeeeeee go and watch
this movie its a must watch. But once again not meant for
brainless people. You need to have brains to appreciate this
movie
Anand vaishnav ji....Apko kj ne kitne paise diye hai ache
comments likhne k liye....Not up 2 expctatn dis mvie..
Its avery good movie but obviously not meant for brain dead
people who donot know how to analyze a movie this is not
your daily popcorn movie. Please go and watch a reality
movie and dont listen to the idiots who havent even realized
thats its a very well made movie