FILM REVIEW: YAHAAN (2005)

Director: Shoojit Sircar
Producer: Gary G, Shoojit Sircar, Robby Grewal
Cast: Jimmy Shergill, Minissha, Yashpal Sharma, Mukesh Tiwari, Dolly Ahluwalia, Gyan Prakash
Music: Shantanu Moitra
Lyrics: Gulzar
Cinematography: Jacob Ihre
Screenplay: Piyush Mishra, Somnath De, Shoojit Sarkar, Sameer Kohli

‘Yahaan’ holds aspiration and dreams of many people at the same time and a lot of them are counting for the success of the film. Directed by debutant Shoojit Sircar who was busy making TV commercials till now, ‘Yahaan’ is also the first sole film for actor Jimmy Shergill. Yahaan also debuts newcomer Minisha Lamba as the lead actress opposite Jimmy Shergill.

For the first time in many years the beauty of Kashmir is again stirred, with this film, which was left untouched by Indian filmmakers till date. What is more, it has been shot in the areas of Kashmir that perhaps nobody has ever seen in Hindi movies.

‘Yahaan’ is the story of an Indian Army captain who falls in love with a Kashmiri. Captain Aman (Jimmy Shergill) love gives her the strength to take on the might of the Indian Army, the bureaucracy and the militants. ‘Yahaan’ is also the story of Adaa (Minissha) who dares to love and take on the ensuing risks with courage and conviction. Adda is the sister of dreaded terrorist Shakeel Bhai (Yashpal Sharma).

Film is about an eternal theme-love:
Aman (Shergill) is an officer of the Rashtriya Rifles posted in Kashmir, who has been assigned to tackle terrorism and bring the misguided youth to the national mainstream.

While dealing with the disgruntled and misinformed youth, Aman is shown as a tough guy.

During one of his patrols in the backwaters of one of Kashmir’s lakes, he comes across Adaa (Minissha), a beautiful local girl. Emotions are stirred on both sides at the very first sight, but not even a word is spoken. Destiny brings them together again and in no time love springs and blossoms. The innocent girl is beautiful and strong willed. She keeps reasoning why many young people have taken up arms. She appreciates the spirit and courage of Aman for fighting terrorists.

Their love is accepted by none in the valley:
By an unwritten diktat, the girls in the valley are debarred from have any relationship with ‘outsiders’, particularly if they happen to be army guys. But Adaa and Aman defy this diktat and face disapproval from Adaa’s family and from local community, apart from threats from militants. In the film they also take on the might of the army and bureaucracy.

What follows, it tests their love:
It tests Aman’s idealism and Adaa’s belief in the good. There is an attack on the family, a court martial, a militant deep-rooted in his fundamentalist ideas, a peace-loving freedom fighter, a near-death experience, a hostage situation and the nation challenged.

Yahaan is about ‘Love against all Odds’
Adaa sees love, warmth and compassion in the eyes of an outsider. A man who gives her strength to stand tall and all alone, defending what she holds true. Believing in the power of true love, they combat the rigid structures of a complex situation, decades in the making. The movie is also tests a dedicated army officer deputed to the Kashmir Valley to tackle terrorism and also play a devoted lover. Jimmy Shergill plays the dual roles with ease.

Jimmy Shergill is the revelation of this movie. The film rests on his shoulder. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the actor has delivered the best performance of his career till date. Minissha has delivered a good enough performance, although there are some sequences where her discomfort shows. A decent debut overall.

Yashpal Sharma and Mukesh Tiwari ably support them. The actors playing the roles of Minissha’s father and grandmother [Dolly Ahluwalia] stand out with convincing portrayals.

Gulzar’s lyrics complimenting Shantanu Moitra’s music and Sameeruddin’s background score are added attraction for the viewers. The music is indeed melodious and soul stirring. Swedish cinematographer Jacob Ihre’s camera has done a wonderful job. He makes the visuals and songs unforgettable.

The hand-held camera and its ensuing effect on the large screen lends the movie a documentary touch – something like a journalistic account – while the songs and colorful dresses, provide the dreamy, fictitious element.

It can’t be said that the film is perfect as it does have its flaws.
There are some scenes that look impractical and less convincing. The climax when Minissha approaches the television channel to prove Jimmy’s innocence looks improbable and the speakers that are kept outside the mosque so that the terrorist Yashpal Sharma has a change of heart appears very filmy. The story moves at uneven paces and the music and songs, although appropriate to the situations, are plain and leave little impact. The screenplay is not able to keep the viewer on the razor’s edge as the script required and this opens the scope for distraction.

The movie is light, emotional and romantic. Go and stirr your emotions!

RS Rating: 6/10

Credit: This review was submitted by Ankit Jain of Footprints.in. They run their own movie Blog at DCECinemas. To submit your own review for posting on radiosargam.com please email.

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