Those who have seen Anil Kapoor's hit film 'Mr. India' will remember the effervescent young dancing boy among many orphans who were being brought up by the hero in the film. The young boy then moved on to assist some of the best of the choreographers of the industry until Ram Gopal Verma gave him the break as the choreographer in 'Rangeela'. The young man since then never looked back and earned a name for himself and it was producer Vashu Bhagnani who first signed him as a director. The things could not work out but destiny favors the brave and this young chap has seen release of his first film as director at an age of just 29.
Meet Ahmed Khan. He is the new entrant who holds the happenings on the sets from behind the camera. His first film 'Lakeer' may not fetch the best of the fortunes for him, but it shows his capability. Capabilities that he is a good technician, that he is true ring man to put some of the big names to task in one frame and capabilities that he is not too young to be a filmmaker on his own. Yes, Ahmed Khan has not only directed 'Lakeer- Forbidden Lines' but he has also written it. It was Sunny Deol who made things take shape for Ahmed Khan. However, Ahmed Khan's name goes as a writer in the credits. The story idea was hatched in Sunny's mind only. He wanted to make the film with some other producer but eventually the project landed in the hands of Vivek Kumar, who has earlier produced films like 'Angrakshak' and 'Zor' for Sunny Deol.
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'Lakeer-Forbidden Lines' is about love in different phases and relations. Saahil (Jon Abraham) loves Bindiya (Nauheed Cyrusi, the Piya Basanti girl). Saahil is the dear kid brother of Sanju (Suniel Shetty) who works as motor mechanic and idolizes his boss Arjun Rana (Sunny Deol) like God and wants to be like him one day. Everything is fine in the story but until Karan (Sohail Khan) the spoilt brat and younger brother of Arjun Rana enters the scene. He will do anything to get his choice and for this he openly and heavily uses name of his big brother.
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He crosses lines, and that brings in Sanju in the fray who does not take it easy. Arjun Rana is involved too in all this because of his brother and that brings in his real face in the open for all those near and dear ones. Arjun Rana is not what every one knows about him; he is more than that. 'Lakeer' is not about war between two countries but it is about the battle between people of two diverse thinking and it also preaches about one's limitations and reservations. 'Lakeer' showcases different boundaries of society and tries to make it clear with its depiction as to what may happen if people do not respect these restrictions.
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'Lakeer' is a true masala film in all its making. The storyline seems familiar with so many films made in recent years. So what is new in the film? Ahmed Khan may have chosen a typical Bollywood style storyline for his debut, but he tries to be different in his presentation. He tries to key in certain new themes and dimensions in relations. Besides, he also tries to present certain situations that are often repeated in Hindi films but in his unique style. He fails as a narrator. The writer Ahmed Khan makes director Ahmad Khan bite the dust. He was expected to be fresher in his ideas and more daring in his concept. Not many will figure out in this film that a new director makes it. This is a compliment for him, but it also creates hurdles for him as a director for the reason that he is not different from the breed of others who choose the safe path of filmmaking. Ahmed Khan cannot be put along with directors like Farhan Akhtar or Nikhil Advani. He cannot be included in the list of the likes of directors who made films like 'hankaar Beats' or 'Shaadi Ka Laddoo'. Trying to play too sage, Ahmed Khan has put his identity in danger.
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'Lakeer' has big names associated to it in every department. Sunny Deol shines among actors in a mature role of underworld don. Suniel Shetty tries to match with him and John Abraham and Nauheed are at their best too. Sohail Khan who in his most films has been imitating Sunny Deol only finds it a hard task to make his presence felt among so many known names. The total star cast has worked in the film with full devotion and gets praise in one scene or another. However, what makes the total impact of the film go haywire is its script.
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Ahmed Khan takes too much time to set the paces for the film and by not choosing correct plot points he falters in maintaining the pace of the film. Mehboob has tried his hand in writing too but his lines lack current and punch. Bigwig A R Rehman too fails to impress by his music. His compositions are nowhere near to his earlier works, though Abbas Ali Moghul leaves some impression in stunt scenes. On the whole, 'Lakeer-Forbidden Lines' will find it hard to sail through the rough weathers at the box office. The film may find some patronage in north where action is favored. But to maintain the same results in metros and in multiplexes will be a tough task. Lack of novelty may make it lose the ground in the very first week itself at many places.
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