Veer-Zaara
by Yash Chopra
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DVD details
Actor: Preity Zinta, Shahrukh KhanDirector: Yash Chopra
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: Hindi (Original Language); Punjabi (Original Language); Urdu (Original Language)
Format: Anamorphic, NTSC, Widescreen
Running Time: 192 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-06-06
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: Yash Raj Films
DVD Reviews of Veer-Zaara
DVD Review: "I, Prisoner Number 786, look thru the bars of the jail..."
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved the opening sequence to this one, which is a twist on the typical Bollywood musical number. Somewhere, on a field of flowers, a young Hindustani sings a romantic song which climaxes with him and a girl running towards each other's arms. But then a gunshot rings out, and the girl quietly crumbles to the ground. And the young Hindustani, now much older, wakes up from his dream, wakes up to find himself still imprisoned. Nice twist.
The incarcerated man is Veer Pratap Singh (Shahrukh Khan), who used to be a squadron leader and rescue pilot for the Indian Air Force. For reasons yet unknown to the audience, he has languished in a Pakistani prison cell for 22 years, designated numerally as Prisoner #786. For 22 years, he has served out his sentence in utter silence. But, now, into his life enters Saamiya Siddiqui, a young Pakistani lawyer (Rani Mukerji) on her first case. The odds are stacked against Saamiya as absolutely no one wants her to succeed in her profession. She takes on Veer Pratap Singh's case, anyway. And she does what no one else has been able to do, which is coax Veer into a conversation. Slowly, torturously, he begins to tell her of his life and of his one great love, Zaara. And, so, the flashbacks roll.
"Just for two moments, the caravans of our dreams made a stop. And then you went your way and I went mine." Lyrics, beautiful and poetic, from one of the many fabulous songs in this film ("Do Pal"), and the vivid imagery evoked thru the same. Would you care for an epic love story? Maybe take a break from the grind and for a bit of time wallow with your head in the clouds? Yash Chopra's VEER-ZAARA is an opus of a thing, coming out in 2004 and featuring dazzling performances by an all-star cast and a delirious, sweeping romance.
Set in the backdrop of the always contentious Indian-Pakistani conflict, VEER-ZAARA, predominantly in flashbacks, tells the star-crossed story of Veer Pratap Singh and his Pakistani love Zaara Hayaat Khan (Preity Zinta). Differing nationalities aside, Zaara also happens to be the daughter of an eminent politician. And Zaara is very much engaged, this arranged marriage intended to unite two influential political families. It just was never meant to be for Veer and Zaara, no matter how much they love each other. And, then, to save the honor of the girl he loves, Veer Pratap Singh willingly goes to prison, unjustly accused as a spy. Until, 22 years later, his lawyer Saamiya appears out of the blue to fight tooth and nail for his freedom.
While it's undeniable that his films with Kajol put Shahrukh Khan on the map, his works with Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta have kept him on top. Both Rani and Preity are here, and they are both terrific (in fact, the whole cast is terrific). Shahrukh Khan, as usual, towers above everyone, compelling as ever, the embodiment of a movie star. While very good in the flashback sequences, Shahrukh really shines as the 22-years-older Veer Pratap Singh, with trembling hands and a weary demeanor, forlornly fingering a cherished anklet. Shahrukh, when not being the over-the-top Shahrukh, can be amazingly effective when he chooses to be more restrained in his acting (check out Swades or Chak De India DVD). Here, he is simply marvelous, and don't be at all surprised if the emotional speech he delivers in the courtroom near the end puts a lump in the throat.
VEER-ZAARA is a loooong movie, running a smidgen over three hours. But it's very much worth watching and experiencing. The film makes you buy into the mushy stuff, things like the haunting poetry caught in a song, the sheer courage of a sacrifice made unbeknownst, the weight of shattered hopes and dreams channeled on a bauble, as well as treasured clung-to memories lavished on the same. VEER-ZAARA, to spoiler things a bit, tells not of a love spurned or denied, but of a love simply put on hold. This is a very lyrical film, with magnificent cinematography showing off the beauty of India's landscape. There are many fabulous songs here, with seriously extravagant production values on the musical numbers (my favorite is the celebratory "Lodi"). And I haven't even mentioned that the great Amitabh Bachchan has a wonderful supporting role. And, lastly, if you enjoy courtroom dramas, the last 45 minutes or so of this film centers on the unproven Saamiya attempting to exonerate Veer in court, as she goes up against the powerhouse law firm which used to employ her. So, yes, it's also very much an underdog story.
A beautiful film.
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