a face saving for bollywood

Sarfarosh not only has a tight and exciting script, it is a well researched movie. The movie has substance and soul and captures Indian ethos to perfection. It stands in stark contrast to the new wave bollywood movies which, in an attempt to become crisp and pacy, instill western values in desi characters. This movie also demonstrates that a talented director can do miracles, not only with the script but with actors and everyone else involved. John Mathew Matthan transformed a chocolaty boy (aamir) into an awe inspiring man. This movie sure influenced Aamir's real life, which is apparent from his public image and the kind of roles he did after Sarfarosh.

I was fortunate to have come across this movie just when I was going to take the new year resolve of never watching a bollywood movie again. This one is an original movie and stands tall in the sea of plagiarism and mediocrity that is bollywood. If a reviewer calls this movie an answer to hollywood thrillers, he is actually undermining this movie. I would rate this movie higher than most of the hollywood thrillers of nineties, for those movies have usually been too plastic and mechanistic for us to involve with the characters. Sarfarosh deals with deep issues (personal, social and national) and lingers long in your emotional space. It has the power to change you. It has been 5 years since I watched the movie but I can recall every moment and character. Hats off to John and kudos to Aamir for his best performance so far (this, after watching 'Lagaan' and 'Mangal Pandey').