Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Mission Kashmir has an impact from its first frame up
until the mind-blowing climax. A film which opens your mind, then blows it
away oozes Kashmir from beginning to end.
Despite his previous underworld thriller Parinda, Mission Kashmir has to be
Vinod Chopra's most violent film to date. Not because of any excessive or
graphic violence which surpasses what nonsensical commercial cinema churns
out but because in it we see a massacre of emotions of each character. A
mutilation so violent it haunts the viewer for long after the film is over.
Sanjay Dutt plays Inayat Khan, a decent SSP who has vowed to fight the
vermin who plague Kashmir and create restlessness in the peaceful haven. In
an operation shootout aiming to wipe out one of the main villains
Malik-ul-Khan (played expertly by Puru Rajkumar). Inayat Khan kills the
innocent parents of ten year old Altaf, who he then adopts. Images of his
parents' death haunt Altaf and soon he discovers the man he calls father is
his parents' killer and he runs away swearing revenge on Inayat Khan. Ten
years later, Altaf (Hrithik Roshan) is employed by terrorist Hilal Kohistani
(Jackie Shroff) to disrupt peace in Kashmir, and so sets the scene for the
remainder of the film which involves high tense confrontations between
Inayat and Altaf and focuses on the battle between the two, which will
affect Kashmir and it's peace.
Sanjay Dutt delivers a power packed and brilliant performance in a
challenging role with many complexities. The way his eyes portray pain,
grief and terror along with his versatile physical performance ensure it is
difficult to believe Sanjay is not Inayat Khan. His body language expertly
portrays a soldier in the first half and a defeated man in the second and
Sanjay is brilliant in one of his best performances to date. Hrithik plays
Altaf full of rage and anger in a good role holding his own against the two
stalwarts of Sanjay and Jackie. He also looks good in the dance and fight
sequences, which have been superbly shot. Jackie Shroff shines as Hilal
Kohistani and steals the show as only he can. The intensity in his look and
tone of voice create a terrifying Hilal in a manner unimaginable by any
other actor. National Award winner Sonali Kulkarni gives her best to the
complex role of Inayat's wife and Altaf's adopted mother, which requires her
to show a rainbow of emotions, which she does effortlessly. Special mention
is worthy to Puru who plays Malik-ul-Khan as he becomes evil incarnate on
screen. Preity Zienta gives her all to a role, which offers nothing new as
Hrithik's love interest, but is pivotal to the script and the events which
unfold.
Direction by Vinod Chopra is excellent, complimenting Binod Pradhan's
beautiful cinematography which highlights Kashmir to the hilt. The action
sequences are unprecedented and are extremely well shot, especially the
fights involving Hrithik and the showdown between Hrithik and Sanjay. Songs
and dances provide light relief on occasions and thankfully progress the
movie further and are not merely present for show. The increasingly popular
Bhumro song and Chupke se Sun are well picturised, leaving an impact on the
viewer. Overall Mission Kashmir delivers a hard hitting and well shot film,
with Vinod Chopra extracting excellent performances from his actors and
making a film which is shot like an international venture.
In a recent discussion with Vinod Chopra I asked him what he wanted this
film to portray and he replied: "The message of religious tolerance and
harmony as it is in Kashmiriyat, and to simply capture the essence of
Kashmir". It seems Vinod Chopra has succeeded in his intentions and made a
film which does exactly that.
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