MovieChat Forums > Lakshya (2004) Discussion > Lakshya Was Fantastic!!

Lakshya Was Fantastic!!

posted 20 years ago by manofsan
25 replies | jump to latest

I've actually seen the movie 3 times now, and normally I've never given a movie a repeat viewing, except for spectacular stuff like Lord of the Rings. To me, Lakshya was a similarly great accomplishment for Indian cinema, in terms of standing above existing production efforts. I was amazed at the use of background instrumental music in the movie -- far superior to what bollywood normally does, with its ridiculously copious melodrama. The most emotive scenes for me were the ones where his girlfriend breaks up with him, his conversation with his father on the telephone, and when Hrithik is struggling hand-to-hand with an enemy attacker. The background music really enhanced the emotions during those scenes at critical moments. I don't understand the complaint some people have over the battle scenes -- I thought they were very well done compared to other Indian movies. I suspect that it's the usual political biases creeping in -- some people can't stand a movie that shows military valour, as opposed to showing military crookedness, a la Michael Moore. There were some very good cinematic techniques, more worthy of Hollywood than of bollywood, such as the Bofors gun barrel sweeping the sky (cool! way better than in LOC!). A camera pan past a mountain peek to show 2 IAF choppers on the other side (CG, but looking very real!). The scene of the military convoy trekking across the dusty plain with the 2 choppers escorting overhead. The chase of the infiltrators through the tall grass folllowing an ambush. And of course, the awesome mountain-climbing ascent of Peak 5179, and the ultimate final battle. I could gush over scene after scene, but I think the movie has to been seen to really be appreciated. Just like Lagaan and Dil Chatha Hai, this movie was very well made. Even the much-praised Khakee has really crummy fight scenes featuring an aging Amitabh beating a clearly much younger Ajay Devgan.

[–] nikhilkubrick 20 years ago

I think this was one of the best movies the Hindi film industry has to offer. And to that, i think this was the best war movie India has ever witnessed ... (Border and LOC were not good ''war'' movies .. the plot was very loose and did not focus much on the actual war). Hrithik gives a good performance but i think Nana Patekar should win the award for his performance in Ab Tak Chhappan. But Hrithik was very good... His best performance i think (His acting in Koi Mil Gaya and K3G were also good). But i dont understand one thing about the Indian audience.First, they want something different and when it is served on a platter ... they dont want it .. i mean are'nt you people sick and tired of films like Main hoon na (crap) (i think farah khan should stick to choreography only) .. those usual ''Bollywood'' movies ... Grow up people .. come of age now ... I also heard people saying that Lakshya's war sequences looked fake ... i think those people dont know what war films are.But this movie was much much more than just a war film.
Amitabh Bachchan has also done a fine job ,even Preity Zinta.
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have also put up a great score. The screenplay was also quite demanding (but i think even Farhan has written the screenplay .. i could make out)... the editing was also very good.Awesome cinematography and art direction.
Farhan Akhtar has proved that he is the one of the best directors of the industry. Great going Farhan. Keep maing films like these. Two thumbs way way way up!!!! This was better than Dil Chahta Hai in all respects.Brilliant stuff!
Rating: 9/10

[–] Mr. Bug 20 years ago

Unfortunately Indians at large are not ready for such a film. They don't want
realism but escapist candy floss. It works only for the urban audience to some
extent. Sad.

[–] angadc 20 years ago

it was truly an awesome movie. realistic and well made. i don't understand y the user rating is so low?

[–] nemo_IITK 20 years ago

No doubt it is better movie in every respect as you can see how much crap is being offered by ppl like Farah Khan and company, but I think if you evaluate movie on the basis of movie making you shall find it a brilliant movie, but Farhan missed something in the script.

The aim was I think to show how a directionless young man transforms into a soldier, a real hero but actually transformaion was shown in just few seconds. How can someone change like this? Why he was so angry with Priety, I thought he should have been thankful her, but thats right !! Not everyone thinks like me. So break up it seems was just to put just another twist in the movie.

I really appreciate the later half of the movie as Indian junta wouldn't have seen better picturization of war after Border. I think J P dutta just missed the point after it!! Farhan has shown that he can definitely picturize things as he wants them to be.

Whatever ppl say about the acting talent of Hritik I think he has done a good job in the movie. and one more thing- Farhan has this talent to personalize his character, with hair styles and get-up, That makes his characters look more realistic. Good work Farhan!!

No doubt Amitabh was casted wrongly. He didn't just fit in and missed urgency that was needed in a warlike situation. He looked old and tired. It definitely proves, a person doesn't matter how talented he ior she may be but cannot become answer to every question. I think Indian film makers should realize this as soon as possible.!!

Movie is good visually and music fits in well. Overall movie is no doubt is good and worth watching.

[–] farout74 20 years ago

hey everyone... thank you very much for your words of appreciation and even for your critical comments. It's important, as a film maker, to know what it is people who watch their movies think about it. As you can imagine, we normally get the "very good- very different" told to us on our faces and as you turn your back, the band starts playing a different tune!
But the comments here are said with no ulterior motive and are straight from the heart, hence appreciated!
regards
farhan akhtar

[–] nikhilkubrick 20 years ago

Right ... now Farhan Akhtar will come up to this board and write a vote of thanks ... Do you actually want us 2 believe that ??... I didn't ... ha

[–] Mr. Bug 20 years ago

The user identifying himself as Farhan Aktar was indeed Farhan Aktar.
Don't ask why I know but I do.

[–] hdp07 19 years ago

I agree. I hope the more and more Indian public start recognising Farhan Akhtar's talent. An excellent movie maker with his dad (an excellent poet and lyricist) as his right hand.

[–] Blue_V 20 years ago

I did not enjoy the movie as much. Definitely not upto DCH, which was just great. The tranformation of Hrithik is just not caught well in this movie. The director has certainly has set LOC as the point of transformation from business point of view. Hasn't the subject been covered by JP Dutta many times. The break up with Preity Zinta was not dealt with adequately. What is it that motivates him to achieve his goal, is it patriotism, is it love, is it his ego?

I don't see the need for Amitab Bachan, Amrish Puri, Om Puri to play the roles they did. Its just star power for box office business. The parts do not command their talents.

If Farah Aktar's sole purpose was to take Karan from point A to point B, he certainly did. Thats not the achievement.

Is this a movie for aimless people to achieve something, no it does not motivate me; because i don't know what motivated Karan.

The war was a side kick and does not bring out anything new. For example, while they are planning on how to attack the peak, the camera focussed on the characters while not focussing on the map !!! I would certainly love to know how they went about.

Preity Zinta is the only reporter in the area, give me a break.

And she just broke up with Hrithik just like that. Tme could have been spent on showing that she cared about Karan, she missed him. She goes ahead and engages to a another guy, is that true love. Or are we dealing with two people who broke up and just came back together. In that case, its just hug, kiss, make up in the end?
-------------------------------------

On the positive side, the photography and songs were very good.

6/10

[–] Mr. Bug 20 years ago

#What is it that motivates him to achieve his goal, is it patriotism, is it love, is it his ego?

A feeling of failing in life, being a total loser, abandonded by girlfriend
and looked down on by his father, left back by friends who go after their
goals. Ending this motivates him. He wants the girlfriend back, the father
respect him and he wants to fit in with his friends.

#I don't see the need for Amitab Bachan, Amrish Puri, Om Puri to play the roles they did. Its just star power for box office business.

Other actors could have played these roles well too. Bachchan brings quite
some nuances to the role. A director with such a big budget (for India) will
naturally cast the leading roles with stars. The financial risk would be too
big otherwise.

#For example, while they are planning on how to attack the peak, the camera focussed on the characters while not focussing on the map !!! I would certainly love to know how they went about.

The film desribes in detail what they did and why with lots of shots of
the maps and a model. Odd complaint.

#Preity Zinta is the only reporter in the area, give me a break.

Who knows. Because the film shows no other does not mean there are no
others. It's her and Karan's story, not other reporters'. And the war is
going on at other areas too.

#And she just broke up with Hrithik just like that. Tme could have been spent on showing that she cared about Karan, she missed him.

The film shows that several times. Watch the scene with her mother again.
Watch the scene where they meet again (he drives by). Watch the
scene where he gives her a lift.

#She goes ahead and engages to a another guy, is that true love.

Not at all. It's ego, fleeing from one's mistake.

#Or are we dealing with two people who broke up and just came back together. In that case, its just hug, kiss, make up in the end?

It's about maturing through personal crisis and adversities, self inflicted
and inflicted from outside.
Listen to the dialogue before the song "Kitni Baatein" and the lyrics of
the song. She was egoistic and heartless, he was superficial and weak.
Both had to mature.

[–] nikhilkubrick 19 years ago

hiya mr. bug .. some good points there ... but i think why Amitabh and Om Puri were chosen for those roles was just for star power ...all in all i have no complaints about the movie .. i respect every filmmaker and i think what they do is always right (now im not referring to all the bollywood movies) .. and i also try to watch movies with a positive mind.

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[–] riblee00 18 years ago

Good points Mr. Bug,
Lakshya is a very good movie, and I believe that Farhan Akthar is definetly as class act....
My Ratings: 8.81/10

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] Mr. Bug 18 years ago

Farhan's Don will be out soon. I'm looking forward to it. "Lakshya" will be on HD disc within the next 6-12 months, by the way.

[–] meme_me 18 years ago

I only liked this movie becouse it's the only one where Hrithik looked

normal......

[–] abhi9281 17 years ago

This is probably the best movie i have ever seen in my life, and tell you I am not a fan of hindi movies. But this is a movie that is really close to my heart, reminds me of myself at times, it is the story of a lot of young men like me. maybe it just happened that this movie came up at the time when I found my lakshya. I will give it 10/10 any day.

[–] ksparsh 17 years ago

i wont call lakshya the best war movie ever made.according to me haqueeqat is the best war movie that has been made.the movie was made in 64.the film has a linear structure and has some very powerful scenes.the film is as authentic as it can be.chetan anand has done a marvelous job.lakshaya has a weak story line but special effects are awsome ans same goes for the soundtrack.if you compare the two films in terms of effects loakshya will win but if u look at the storyline and authenticity haqueeqat will win anytime.

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[–] shades_of_grey 17 years ago

When I first saw this film I was apprehensive as I’m not a big fan of Hrithik Roshan, however this film surpassed my expectations by far! I was so surprised. Lakshya was an excellent portrayal of a young guy who goes through dramatic changes in his life to finally obtain his objectives. I especially liked watching the detailed cinematography of the war scenes.

[–] funkyguy_amit17 17 years ago

Lakshya was indeed fantastic! It clearly is a brilliant film. I have watched it 9-10 times now and it still manages to inspire me in a way.Its brilliantly shot and the camera work is just superb.Farhan's direction is almost spot on. However I agree Hrithik's transformation and his break up/romance could have been dealt with in a lot better way. Hrithik has put in a class performance once again.Thats why he is my favorite actor.Brilliant stuff!

But its sad how people like Hrithik and Farhan are over -looked to some extent in India while everyone goes absolutely GAGA over a bit of neat acting or work by someone like Shahrukh Khan or Farah Khan for example.

SAD Stuff!

[–] pdianek 16 years ago

Spoilers.

Lakshya is probably the best movie on this subject (the coming-of-age of a rather indulged boy) ever made. I showed it to my teenage son, who was impressed and inspired. I’ve since recommended it to many others. With great direction, Hrithik Roshan’s acting style matured – it’s a pleasure to see how he’s built on what he learned through Lakshya – and he plays this role with an authenticity that is simply breathtaking.

The script is extremely well-balanced between stories: personal, family, professional growth, and political tensions. The meet-separate-meet of Karan and Romi is a delicate dance between two people afraid to trust each other again but (the Kitne Baatein scene) who ultimately realize that life without trust is simply pointless.

That this plays out against the “we cannot trust our neighbor” conflict between India and Pakistan makes it that much more poignant.

I thought the battle scenes were very good, much better than in LOC Kargil. By that time, the Punjab regiment felt like one’s own friends, and losing them one by one was painful. There’s been criticism that Amitabh Bachchan was too old to play the colonel – on the contrary, besides the obvious economic advantage to the film of Mr. Bachchan’s presence, I found very convincing his portrayal of a man who’s seen a great deal of battle, who searches for the reason for death and finds it in the Indian people he and his men protect (“so they can sleep”, he says). Preity Zinta did a marvelous job as the reporter, moving from a protesting college student to someone near the front lines of both war and love. Her expression when she thanks her fiancé for telling her his thoughts – and returns his ring – was absolutely spot-on.

But it is Hrithik’s work that makes this movie. Whether dancing, playing a “what-me-worry” Karan, struggling through the IMA training, encountering Romi’s disdain . . . down to the final scenes of raising the flag over the hard-fought peak and, later, greeting the father who finally understands him, Hrithik gave us Karan Shergill as a complete character down to his smallest scenes. The one where he speaks to Romi over the phone, for example, gauging her interest – and hearing only a casual “we could meet” – is heartbreaking, as he draws a line in the sand (“you decided earlier, now I will decide whether to meet”) and goes off to prove himself once more. When later he returns home on leave to learn Romi’s engagement is being celebrated that evening, and watches her from the parking lot, we feel all his restrained anger, despair and loneliness. Still later, cleaning his rifle, he finds an unread friend’s letter in his pocket, one that tells him Romi has broken up with her fiancé – and Hrithik’s expressions fleet from incredulity to hope.

As always, he adjusts his body language to fit the character – so that pre-IMA Karan slouches and mooches along. Post-IMA, he is strong, resilient, and self-contained.

If you think you won’t like this movie, please, try it once. Then watch it again. It will grow on you.

[–] LindtChocolate 15 years ago

It was wonderful! I dont usually watch war themed films but i gave this one a chance and i found it brilliant :) I also recommend it to all Bollywood fans