Lamhaa
Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha Basu, Kunal Kapoor, Anupam Kher
Director: Rahul Dholakia
Rating: TBA
Kashmir has long been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan and many films such as Mani Ratnam's Roja, Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Mission Kashmir, Soojit Sircar's Yahaan and the recent Tahaan and Sikander have dealt with the subject. However, none has been able to capture the real pathos of the local Kashmiris as the focus has always been on terrorism. In Lamhaa, award-winning director Rahul Dholakia tries to show the unseen side of the troubled valley.
The plot focuses on a company that is generating millions of unaccountable dollars. It benefits many powers - politicians, army officers, Indian and Pakistani intelligence officers, militants and their supporters. Vikram (Dutt) from the military intelligence is sent to investigate and he teams up with Aziza (Basu), an aggressive and outspoken protégé of a wily separatist leader. During the investigation, Vikram unearths a dangerous reality.
Return to Kashmir
Dholakia created a strong impact with his debut flick, Parzania, which tackled the sensitive topic of the Godhra communal riots in the Indian state of Gujarat.
In Lamhaa too he is expected to expose a lot of unknown truths behind Kashmir's prolonged trouble. The movie rests primarily on Dutt's shoulders. "I have a special relationship with Kashmir as I shot my first film, Rocky, when there was absolute peace in Kashmir. After many years I was happy to do Mission Kashmir and now I am glad that after another ten years I am doing a film in Kashmir. Despite all the trouble in the valley, the people of Kashmir are warm and I share a close relationship with some. I would say Lamhaa is a tribute to all the local Kashmiris," he says.
Change in image
Basu was considered a strange choice to playa Kashmiri as many felt she didn't quite fit the role with her striking Bengali features, but Dholakia was convinced that she would deliver the goods in the role of Aziza.
"I think I was chosen to play the role of Aziza based on the inner depth of the character. Aziza is a strong-willed and outspoken character who believes in her cause. I don't think it is necessary to belong to a certain regionor community to do justice to a relevant character," says Basu.
The film also gives Kapoor a chance to shine in the role of a reformed militant who has an undying dream to see Kashmir free from terrorism and dirty politics.
Music director Mithoon returns with soothing tracks that complement Kashmiri culture. The film may run into controversy because of its strong political influences, but it remains to be seen if Dholakia manages to depict the real picture in Kashmir.
