I almost exited the theatre in the first 15 minutes of this film. There was no chemistry between the lead pair and everything seemed awkward. I am glad I didn’t because ‘Kurbaan’ warmed up to be a tense and gripping thriller set in the context of terrorism in the new world.
The plot revolves around a Delhi University Professor Ehsaan who falls in love with the US returned Avantika, marries her and moves back to America when she gets an offer to rejoin her job. Ehsaan’s regular-joe demeanor soon gives way to reveal his real identity, that of a sleeper cell member, out to bomb key locations in New York (surprise surprise).
He and members of his sleeper cell hold Avantika captive as she could endanger their plans and leak the information to a journalist Riyaz, whom she befriended. Despite being asked to kill her and the child she is carrying, Ehsaan finds himself softening as his love for her starts embalming the scars of his past and his hatred for America. He is now caught between the mission that he has to accomplish and the girl he loves.
The plot is classic revolutionary dilemma and hence is no different. But, what is gripping is the screenplay as the camera often pretends to be a curious and hidden onlooker who is looking at proceedings from behind trees and pillars. The shots are mostly indoors or shot outdoors in the dark or in dull light to add to the grimness. The characters have been sketched realistically and the parts are all underplayed to look real. The only aspect that can be questioned is the ease with which a sleeper cell can be penetrated by an outsider through trust. It should be tougher than that.
Particularly impressive are the sequences that showcase the huge gap between traditional and modern thinking amongst people of the same religion. This has been dealt with, very carefully and subtly and it hits you without the actors having to say or do much. And the same goes for the much hyped love scene between Ehsaan and Avantika. It has been given a realistic treatment with no intention to sensationalize. All credit to Rensil D’Silva for pulling it off despite the sputtering start.
Saif Ali Khan has come a long way since his candy-boy act of the 90s. He has matured as an actor and is capable of showing different shades of a character effortlessly. As Ehsaan, he slips from caring lover and husband to bloodshot terrorist to being both at the same time with ease. Kareena Kapoor as Avantika shows the sensitive side to her ability as an actor, a side that has often been shut out by her glamour quotient. It is in roles such as these, that we can see her talent come out. Vivek Oberoi as Riyaz is all intensity in a very important role.
‘Kurbaan’ is a good watch if you are the mood for a good thriller with social and political contexts. It is another feather in the hats of the new directors of the millennium who are finally churning out meaningful Hindi cinema.
