FAROUQUE SHOULDERS 'LAHORE'
By K N Gupta
Eye TV India Bureau
Cast: Farouque Sheikh, Aanaahad, Sushant Singh, Shraddha Nigam, Shraddha Das
Director: Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan
Critic's I-view
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Millions of Indians lived in today's Pakistan, and a lot of those in the city of Lahore. A movie releasing in India on Friday March 19th, 2010, titled 'Lahore' is a journey back into time of the city's glory before the partition of erstwhile India into today's India and Pakistan. 'Lahore' traces the history and magic of the city that was a forerunner to today's Mumbai, the hub of Bollywood. Back then, boys and girls were lured by (like they are for Bollywod and Hollywood) Lahore's glamour and would even run away from as far away as Delhi and other parts of North India hoping to join the mainstream of entertainment. Mubai or Bollywood shaped up in the years after the partition.
'Lahore' is a topical story in the context of South Asia's political problems between the neighbors. Often many have tried bringing truce between the peoples of the two warring nations under the leadership of none other than Bollywood's badshah and millennium star Amitabh Bachchan. In the movie, Indian defeats a Pakistani kick boxer in an international tournament. But the event ends in a tragedy due to the Pakistani players' intemperance. The movie poses a dilemma in whether peace will be derailed as the Indian (movie) hero's brother is determined on revenge during a second international bout that is being held in Lahore this time. That's the suspense.
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Moviemakers have faulted Pakistan for dismissing several efforts by the makers of 'Lahore' to get over the hump of bilateral irritants. It is noteworthy that Pakistan's authorities have further worsened the situation by imposing a ban on the movie's public viewing. The apparent reason for the ban seems to be the fact that the movie begins on a note that showcases the Pakistani kick boxer played by Mukesh Rishi and his coach, Sabyasachi Chakraborty and the young Pakistani sports psychologist played by Shraddha Das apologizing to the Indian hero on behalf of her entire nation. What wasn't considered was that the movie ends on a strong pacifist note to bury the past and move on.
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The movie tries to capture the society and thinking of 60 years ago. Fortunately, 'Lahore' is free from any anti-Pakistan theme even as it dwells on the rhetorical Indo-Pak hostility depicted through the kickboxing theme. Compared with other flicks, this movie is quite restrained on the usual Indo-Pak issues. Though, young Indian sportsman Virendra played by Aanaahad is shown to suffer a lot of grief and turns from cricket to kickboxing to avenge his brother helped by coach played by the versatile and veteran actor Farouque Sheikh. Farouque must be complimented for instilling the very coach-like instincts and habits he portrays in his character. Hopefully, it will be noticed!
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Director Puran Singh Chauhan's selection of Farouque Sheikh playing the coach of the Indian team is welcome by critics and Farouque delivers a superb performance. Sadly, Pakistan did not allow the movie's shoot in Lahore with Farouque Sheikh. Else, it would have been a monumental movie and a milestone in the Bollywood-Lahore modern relationship. Entertainment is known to build bridges over obstacles!
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'Lahore' seems to be made for a purpose. One wonders if moviemakers are picking up the mantle for politicians now to bring truce between two nations that were once one. If art can play a role, this movie certainly attempts to do just that. The movie would have definitely been more heartwarming and touched millions if the era and aura of the real Lahore could be brought back. But, in its own way, 'Lahore' tells a fiery story in gentle words. Neelabh Kaul's cinematography is quite good. And, for being an Indian flick, kickboxing sequences by Tony Ching Siu Tung are original and refreshing.
Overall, old-timers would probably enjoy it and youngsters might too.
[Public Opinion]
