A gripping tale of two lovers torn between love and the call of duty, Kurbaan is a hard hitting and an intense film that leaves you with an after thought. A movie based on the backdrop of Muslim identity amidst global terrorism,Kurbaan is a not your typical Bollywood flick!
A Karan Johar production directed by Rensil DSilva, Kurbaan is fresh breather from the stable of Dharma Productions, someone known to have a liking for family dramas or romantic flicks rather than movies made on contemporary issues such as terrorism. With Kurbaan, Karan Johar strikes a jackpot as the movie offers a nice blend of Bollywood commercial cinema along with unconventional themes that makes it a class act.
A movie woven around terrorism, Kurbaan is in no way akin to Fanaa or New York as it does not glorify terrorism nor paints it in a sugary coated frame. The characters of its lead protagonists Saif, Kareena, Vivek Oberoi are etched to perfection and are realistic to the boot.
Kurbaan revolves around two professors Ehsan Khan (Saif Ali Khan) and Avantika (Kareena Kapoor) who meet at a university and move to USA post their marriage. However, with the couple relocated in US, the mist of distrust engulfs their love story as Avantika realizes something fishy about her spouse. With a loving wife confused over her husbands acts, herein comes a journo Riyaaz (Vivek Oberoi) who helps a distressed Avantika to seek the truth and reveal her husbands true intentions Muslim fundamentalism.
Kurbaan is a fast paced movie that hardly slackens in terms of narration. The movie comes with its break-through moments – the love-betrayal intrigue between Saif and Kareena and their much publicised aesthetically shot love making scene, Vivek Oberois daredevil journalist act, and Kirron Kher and Om Puri who simply leave speechless with their class act.
With a play time of two hours forty minutes, Kurbaan boasts of a taut script with superb direction by Rensil DSilva. The movie does not take undue cinematic liberties; yet, the movie has a bite that often leaves you gasping, especially when Saif reveals his true identity.
A perplexed Kareena reminds you of Karisma from Fiza and Saif is simply superb when it comes to portray a character with shades of grey. However, Vivek Oberoi is the surprise package of the film as he delivers a convincing performance after a long hiatus.
Salim-Suleiman`s soulful music adds depth to the movie and makes it all the more broody. With Hollywood style cinematography, Kurbaan is a poignant gripping thriller.