October 28th, 2008 | Reviewed by Bollywood Editor |
Producer: Samir Karnik, Bharat Shah, Vikas Kapoor
Director: Samir Karnik
Music: Sajid, Wajid, Monty Sharma
Cinematography: Binod Pradhan, Gopal Shah
Writer: Aseem Arora, Samir Karnik
Genre: Social
Choreography: Piyush Panchal
Action: Abbas Ali Moghul, Peter Hain
Singers: Sonu Nigam, Rekha, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sukhwinder Singh, Kunal Ganjawala, Soumya Raoh, Parthiv Gohil, Shail Hada, Wajid
Cast: Salman Khan, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Mithun Chakraborty, Preity Zinta, Sohail Khan, Vatsal Sheth, Dino Morea, Amrita Arora, Riya Sen
Heroes was originally titled Mera Bharat Mahaan (My India is Great). The film is about a group of students who study film-making together. Being sent away to film a documentary, they begin a road trip together. The students are trying to figure out the meaning behind the logo on every passing vehicle, which says, Mera Bharat Mahaan. With Heroes, Salman and Preity are paired opposite each other for the fifth time.
The relationship of the Indian army and Bollywood filmmakers seems to be a one long one. This relationship has only been explored by placing our actors in armymen’s shoes and panning the camera over scenes of war; seldom have the range of emotions and the familial trauma been explored. Heroes in entirety does this well, but beyond a point from addressing emotions starts addressing problems and actions.
Heroes is a worthy watch because of the emotions that it brings out, but the fact that it isn’t technically great certainly hinders the film. A film like this certainly deserved some slick editing, which sadly it never got. It is as though overindulgence was the feel the makers were going for. The extensive use of filters, needless split screens and songs only make the film that much more tepid. There is so much in the film that you are made to sit through that you just can’t figure out where those fit in the larger picture. What was the point of including Riya and Amrita’s characters? Little do they contribute to the film.
Zinta’s performance leaves you speechless. She is the prime reason to watch this film. Then there is Salman who further enhances the first story, he acts with great finesse. The Deol brothers too put up solid perfomances, however it is Sunny who emotes with great flair.
Heroes is not your typically told film, yet in every sense it is a typical Bollywood film filled with action, drama and emotions. The film is completely watchable and strikes a good chord. Do watch the film; you are bound to walk out entertained.
