Lakshya [2004] [DVD]

I am not sure exactly how I came across Lakshya, but I decided to order it on DVD soon after returning to the UK from a holiday in India. Having seen it, I was hooked. I define a favourite film to be one that I want to see more than once. One that I want to look at several times (like Laksya) definitely qualifies. This film has made it into my DVD collection, and I won't be giving it away!It was the story that interested me, not the usual Bollywood elements like song-and-dance routines (though I enjoyed some of the music, particularly the instrumental music at the beginning, the title song when the hero faces up to his commitment, and one sung by the soldiers as they venture on their main undertaking). Amitabh Bacchhan gives a fine performance, and his character as a Maharashtrian colonel (Sunil Damle) appealed to me. His speech at the beginning, instilling regimental values into a new officer is great stuff, likewise a shorter scene later when the mission is halfway over.Not just enjoyable entertainment (which it is), but also inspirational. Highly recommended.

More mature and nuanced than most Indian war films.

a typical art film about war... not my thing fast forwarded all the fighting bits. was enjoyable and not to long that way xi won't watch it again, i didn't miss much.the acting was really great.the character of Preti z, was a contradiction, she's an activist who encourages her BF to not only join the army but to stay then leaves him!

Great acting and storyline. A must watch for youngsters.

All time favorite.

one of the best war film ever made in India

Lakshya is about a young man (Hrithik Roshan) who is directionless. He has a girlfriend (Preity Zinta) he vaguely wishes to marry sometime but that is all the structure of his life. His father (Boman Irani) has no respect for him and believes he doesn't measure up to succeeding elder brother. Drifting with everyone else's ideas and parroting others thoughts, he almost accidentally ends up training for the army. He gives it away initially but when girlfriend shows displeasure for his lack of backbone in anything, and his father angers him with his disappointment in hi, he returns in resignation and stubbornness rather than any real interest in the army. He grows into it in stages and ends up on the Pakistan border patrols under Amitabh Bachchan. An outbreak of hostilities pushes him to an all out role just at the time pacifist old girlfriend (now a news reporter) is covering events there...Now I dont really like war movies or even violence much. I admit I only watched it for Hrithik. But (with a bit of fast-forwarding over the war bits) I found the movie is predominantly about the young mans journey with war as the backdrop. Unlike US movies this isn't about gung-ho action men or even dwelling on 'real' images. It deals more with the difficult decisions India and its army faces when they do face conflict on their borders and incursions that threaten outlying communities. There is a bit of jingoism but really the focus is the guy - and the guy does well. Hrithik is very good here and was nominated for several best actor awards for this portrayal. The director is Farhan Akhtar who is most known more recently for his acting. Preity Zinta, Amitabh and all the supports do well but it is really Hritih's movie. It is a well-constructed story, well-acted that left me thoughtful about their situation and roles of armies (something I prefer usually not to consider being a pacifist- though with a son-in-law in the airforce!)This movie has had very mixed results. It didnt gross well when it was on in India yet won or was nominated for quite a few awards for Hrithik, Farhan, choreography (for the only dance number- done as a dream) and cinematography. On IMDb I see it is running at a consistent 7 out of 10 across all age groups. One to appreciate (rather than entertain) even if it isn't exactly light.

Excellent acting and visually stunning!