All Kabul Express Reviews- Here Only!

Kabul Express

Titbits

The first international feature film to have been shot entirely in Kabul after the end of the Taliban. It was shot over a period of 45 days from October to December 2005. The cast and crew were sent death threats by the Taliban to stop shooting but the Afghan government provided tight security and enabled the shoot to be completed in Afghanistan.

On some days there were more armed soldiers than crew on the location. John Abraham and Arshad Warsi share their shooting experience…

John Abraham

"Making this movie was like going through labour pain and giving birth to a beautiful child. Kabul Express was that beautiful child. I think it is the best script I have read in my short film career. The fact that Kabir was a documentary film maker and has been in and out of Kabul several times puts an aspirational quality to the film for an actor. Also, the character I play has a lot of real life Kabir in the film.The story was larger than all the actors. If the painting is good, all the characters in the painting look good. Trust me. That's what Kabul Express is all about.

After the death threats from the Taliban and a spate of suicide bombings in Kabul, I asked my driver - Where do these suicide bombers come from? And the driver said - either the right or the left or the front or the back…
Allah can ask for you from whichever direction he chooses."

thnaks so much!!

This movie really seems interesting!

omg i soooooo cant wait to c dis movie

KABUL EXPRESS MOVIE REVIEW

Yash Chopra productions: the name is unique itself.

Almost every movie in Bollywood with the exception of a few (Kaal, Salaam Namaste) that carried the Yash Raj symbol ended up either being a) masterpiece or b) blockbuster.

Kabul Express doesn't carry a lot of weight compared to previous YashRaj films. With a rare director in Kabir Khan and a supporting-actor type of star cast, the Chopras didn't really invest in the film until it was halfway through. Has their investment paid off? Is the movie better off than what it was when it first started?

In short words, Kabul Express is not a bad film at all. The so-called "low-key" film actually has a rare story with some fine acting from its main cast. And with some great realistic desert-type visuals, the film is perfect for the big screen.

Kabul Express takes place immediately after the America 9-11 attacks in 2001. The film has everything from good guys, being two Indian reporters, Suhel (John Abraham) and Jai (Arshad Warsi), to Taliban loyalists to even an American journalist.

Suhel and Jai visited Afghanistan to find out more about the current terrorist problems. And of course, their main reason for the trip, is to attempt a rare, life-danger interview with a Tailibani. Since it wasn't an easy task attempting to talk to one, the Indians went ahead and recruited a private guide to find out the whereabouts of the Talis. And they did end up finding one – Khyber (Hanif Hum Ghum). Surprisingly, he named his vehicle, a 4x4 Toyota Jeep, Kabul Express. And from there the journey begins …

After going through some hard times, from going through various gnn shots to bumping into a strange American photographer, the two Indians later ended up becoming hostages for the Talis. And that's when the real story of Kaabul Express begins.

There are some other cool scenes in the film but we rather not share that; that will be an experience for you to live upon.

Kabul Express is a fresh product. The film is different. The background score is fine tuned, the lyrics are a bit hippy but meant for a balanced audience. The movie will score in backdrop department. One must wonder how a film was actually shot in a dessert and that too in Afghanistan.

Acting wise almost everyone does their role with ease. By rating, Arshad Warsi is a pure natural. He does have some great comic scenes, but it's his serious side which strikes gold this time. He is truly one of our finest actors today. John Abraham does a much better job than what he did a week ago in B.R. Chopra's Baabul. He does get good scope and looks cool as a journalist. He is much more eased out in this film.

Hanif Hum Ghum is also fun watching on screen. He really portrayed the life of a dessert man with perfection. Linda Arsenio, the American photojournalist, is OK. She just needs to work on her timing. Her screen presence is alright. Salman Shadid is perfect as a soldier.

On the whole Kabul Express is a neat experience. It has fine acting with great visuals. The movie may not be a biggie at the box office, but slowly and surely it will be a winner. Watch it for the acting and rarity. Don't just watch it because it carries the YashRaj banner. Films like this should be appreciated.

3.0 out of 5.0

New York Times

Kabul Express splutters at the multiplex

SAIBAL CHATTERJEE
Posted online: Friday, December 15, 2006 at 0147 hours IST

NEW DELHI, DEC 14: The newest film from the Yash Raj Films (YRF) stable, Kabul Express, is unlikely to arrive at a friendly neighbourhood multiplex on Friday following a complete breakdown in talks on Thursday between the production-distribution house and the All-India Multiplex Association over sharing box-office spoils.

"You can be 99% certain that Kabul Express is not opening in any of the major multiplex chains in Delhi or Mumbai this Friday," a senior executive of a multi-screen facility in the national capital region told FE. "The long-standing stalemate has only got worse," he added.

As a result, documentary filmmaker Kabir Khan's debut feature, the first international film to be shot in post-Taliban Afghanistan, will not be on show in multiplexes owned by PVR, Adlabs, JAM or DT.

The latest showdown comes in the wake of the withdrawal of Dhoom 2 from these multiplexes last month following YRF's attempt to negotiate a package deal clubbing Kabul Express with the Hrithik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai starrer. But the multiplexes resisted YRF's move on the ground that Kabul Express was a much smaller film than Dhoom 2 in terms of commercial potential.

According to industry sources, YRF is now willing to give Kabul Express at a lower rate to multiplexes (like Delhi's M2K and Satyam) that played Dhoom 2 during the blackout, but the All-India Multiplex Association is putting pressure on all its members to ensure a collective stand.

Trade analysts said, the withdrawal of Dhoom 2 from the major multiplexes in the second week of its run resulted in a combined loss of Rs 8 crore for YRF and the multiplexes, while the conventional single-screen theatres made hay.

The YRF-multiplex association spat began in May, when YRF released Fanaa and demanded a higher share of the pie – 60% and 55% in the first and second week, respectively. The release of the film was in danger of being stalled, but the differences between the production house and the multiplexes were settled at the eleventh hour.

The story continued with Krrish, produced Rakesh Roshan and distributed by YRF, and Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Lage Raho Munnabhai.

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id =148950

Feedback is positive, the movie is less than 2 hours, go to ur near cinema if Kabul Express releasing to ur nearest cinema and watch the movie. It's very good from what im hearing.

Thnks for sharing ..i will c it

What a movie!!!!! Its a serious movie with loads and loads of fun, a script well written, humour and satire in the face of danger and a very well edited movie.

The plot revolves around an Indian Journalist, Sohail Khan (John Abraham), the photographer (Arshad Warsi) and their qwest for a War Story. They set out in search for that one story which will catapulate them into sucess and they land in Afganistan. They meet Kyber/Kabir, who is the driver of a SUV appropriately named Khyber Express. It is the story of these guys in three days in Kabul, their search for the elusive Taleban, how they are taken hostage, different events which leave an impact in their minds, the American Lady Journalist who tags along with them as well, the gritty life in Afganistan, and how they find their story.

First blush, when you read the update, you might even think this to be a boring documentary, but it is far from so. Arshad Warsi and his comical timing are simply something else. The movie belongs to him.

If you like humour, if you like crisp movies withut the usual shooo shaa of hindi movies, this is a must watch.

Movie Review: Kabul Express

By Taran Adarsh, December 15, 2006 - 16:39 IST

Let's clear the myth pertaining to KABUL EXPRESS within the film industry!



Nasty naysayers have been text-messaging that KABUL EXPRESS is a documentary, a dry film that talks of post-Taliban days in the battered Afghanistan. Also, those looking for some cheap naach-gaana kind of entertainment in this Yashraj enterprise are bound to be disappointed since KABUL EXPRESS may star known names in its cast, but debutante director Kabir Khan, a known documentary maker, believes in enlightenment, not entertainment!

After having watched KABUL EXPRESS, all you want to do is hit the blokes hard for spreading malicious stories about the film. Agreed, KABUL EXPRESS traverses a different path and Kabir Khan is a documentary maker, but KABUL EXPRESS is not a documentary at all. It's a 'proper' Hindi film -- a thriller to be precise -- that dares to tackle a difficult and different theme.

Besides the subject matter that's its USP, the film takes you to Afghanistan -- a country most of us haven't visited, as tourists or as moviegoers. Yes, DHARMATMA and KHUDA GAWAH did visit Afghanistan, but the post-Taliban Afghanistan hasn't been witnessed on the Hindi screen. That makes KABUL EXPRESS a novel experience indeed!

Now to the pertinent question: Does the story hold your attention for the next 1.45 hours/12 reels?

KABUL EXPRESS is a film with different sensibilities. It's not one of those films that depict two Indians taking on the Taliban and bashing them to pulp. It narrates the story of two Indians, one American, one Afghani and one Pakistani and what transpires in the next 48 hours. It's straight out of life and certain moments do make you get into an introspective mood.



A film like KABUL EXPRESS is more for the elite and the thinking viewer than the aam junta. While the theme of the film is anything but stereotype, the sequence of events that lead to the climax as also the liberal usage of English and Afghani languages will restrict its appeal to multiplexes mainly. In the single screens, KABUL EXPRESS will find few takers!

Another factor that goes against the film -- in Overseas territory at least -- is the conflict between the Afghanis and Pakistanis in the film. Although director Kabir Khan may argue that he's tried to be authentic, you cannot overlook the fact that Pakistanis -- who form a major chunk of movie-going audience in U.K. and U.S.A. -- may not give KABUL EXPRESS their mandate or whole-hearted approval because of the anti-Pak flavor.

KABUL EXPRESS is set in post 9/11 Afghanistan where the American bombing has destroyed the Taliban regime and the Taliban soldiers are trying to escape to Pakistan to avoid the wrath of the Afghans. Against this turbulent backdrop, Jai [Arshad Warsi] and Suhel [John Abraham] -- two Indian television reporters -- have entered Afghanistan and their aim is to somehow get a rare interview with a Talibani. Helping them in their pursuit of a Talibani is their Afghan guide, translator and driver Khyber [Hanif Hum Ghum] in his Toyota Jeep called Kabul Express.

The trio is having their share of adventure as they go from being blindfolded and taken to secret hideouts in the mountains to interview Taliban prisoners to nearly getting trampled by horses while shooting a game of Buzkashi. They are saved from getting trampled by an American photo-journalist, Jessica [Linda Arsenio]. Despite all their attempts, the Taliban remains elusive. But unknown to them, these hunters are being hunted down themselves...

One cold winter morning in Kabul, they get kidnapped at gunpoint by a Taliban fugitive who wants to escape to the Pakistani border. The kidnapper, Imran [Salman Shahid], is a Pakistani army soldier who was part of the Taliban. He knows that as journalists, Jai and Suhel's movements in the country will not be questioned and posing as their local guide, he can reach the safety of his country.



From here on begins the two-day journey from Kabul to the volatile Afghan-Pakistan border. Jai and Suhel's mission becomes a nightmare as they are taken hostage aboard the Kabul Express and made to drive across the most dangerous country in the world. Jessica sees their car driving away from Kabul and mistakenly thinks that they are onto a big story. She begins to chase them. Before she knows it Jessica gets stuck in a bizarre situation and inadvertently, also gets taken hostage by Imran.

By the end of the journey, Jai, Suhel and Jessica actually help Imran reach the border of Pakistan -- his country that he is very proud and patriotic about. But the turbulent political situation at that time has a surprise in store for all of them.

KABUL EXPRESS is director Kabir Khan's first foray into feature films and you have to acknowledge the fact that the director knows what he's talking. A storyteller is only successful if he's able to narrate a story with utmost conviction and the listener/viewer listens to every word with rapt attention. Kabir succeeds in his mission of not just narrating an unadulterated story, but also making you travel to a country that's hit headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The film has several poignant moments, but Kabir reserves them for the penultimate reels. The relationship between the kidnapper and the hostages, which changes from mistrust to trust, is carefully handled. As also the banter involving Indian and Pakistani cricketers. The highpoint of the film is the Pakistani's reunion with his daughter and his subsequent killing by the Pakistani soldiers. Kabir deserves full marks for taking the film to an appropriate finale.



Kabir also gets ample help from the locations and the cinematographer, Anshuman Mahaley, takes full advantage of it. Not only are the locales of Afghanistan breath-taking, the lensman also captures them with dexterity. Without doubt, this ranks amongst the finest works [cinematography] of this year!

You walk out of KABUL EXPRESS with two actors in mind -- Arshad Warsi and Salman Shahid, the Pakistani. Arshad has an amazing sense of timing and it's very difficult to compete with him. The actor is lovable yet again and in fact, contributes to the light moments in the thriller. Salman Shahid is excellent. He enacts his role with precision and his sequences, more towards the concluding reels, will win him ample fans in India.

John Abraham doesn't really get a chance to exhibit histrionics, but gets two major scenes -- one, when he talks to the Pakistani about his daughter and the other, when the Pakistani is offering prayers. John handles them with supreme confidence. Hanif, the Afghani, is first-rate, while Linda, the American journalist, does an okay job.

On the whole, KABUL EXPRESS is aimed at the elite and the thinking audience. A well crafted thriller, the film has better chances at multiplexes mainly. However, the liberal usage of English and Afghani languages will restrict its appeal to urban centres in India. At the single screens, the film will find the going very, very tough since there's nothing for the aam junta.

Also, its ride in the Overseas territory will be bumpy thanks to the depiction of the conflict between Afghanis and Pakistanis in the film. The Pakistanis form a major chunk of movie-going audience in U.K. and U.S.A. and they might not give KABUL EXPRESS their whole-hearted mandate due to the anti-Pak flavor in the narrative.

**1/2

http://www.indiafm.com/movies/review/12724/index.html

Movie Review

Kabul Express - Chugging Along Nicely
Faridoon Shahryar, IndiaGlitz [Friday, December 15, 2006>

It is a sin to expect

The voiceless screams…



A kid can't play like others. He doesn't have a leg. But that smile on the face clearly enunciates that he doesn't expect anything from life except some normalcy. Maybe a Hindi film song is his definition of normalcy. Kabir Khan's 'Kabul Express' is a film that extracts such vignettes of implausible possibilities in the war torn Afghanistan where voice-of-reason is riddled with a stream of bullets. And yes it also tell you that if you are the driver of a truck loaded with Pepsi cans (a symbol of American liberalism) then be ready for a bullet in the head. The lighthearted bantering throughout the course of the film, exceptional camerawork by Anshuman Mahaley and a tight two hour length makes this a gripping fare all the way.



Alright Kabir Khan is a documentary filmmaker. And the narrative flows in a somewhat similar manner. But the manner in which the humour element has been incorporated in the lives of five disparate individuals Suhel Khan (John Abraham), Jai Kapoor (Arshad Warsi), Jessica Beckham (Linda Arsenio), Khyber (Hanif Hungam) and Imran Khan Afridi (Salman Shahid) makes this a fun ride for almost the entire duration of the film. The demand for Jai's cigarettes, amusing donkeys, the irrepressible liking of local Afghanis for the Bollywood stars, cricket debates and tanks being referred to as taxis makes for funny situations. And there's one man who causes most of those chuckles…Arshad Warsi…His comic timing is fabulous. And yes, he overshadows John Abraham.

'Kabul Express' deals with a complex subject and for the uninitiated who don't follow world news that often, the story will be difficult to follow. It starts post 9/11 in November 2001, a time when the Americans had got rid of the basic fabric of Taliban in Afghanistan. Suhel, a television reporter and Jai, a cameraman from India land up in Kabul in hot pursuit of a scoop on Taliban. Instead they are captured by Imran, a Pakistani soldier who had been serving under the Taliban as a mercenary. Khyber, the Afghani guide and American photo journalist Linda complete the fugitive picture. The clash of civilization debate rages amidst guns-n-cigarettes. And then one realizes Imran is not really a bad person after all. The moment when he leaves a few hundred dollars for his daughter (she is wedded to an Afghani) without saying anything carries reams of poignance.

It's also not a film showcasing anyone's heroic skills in the traditional Bollywood sense of the word. If you ask me, then the real hero has to be cameraman Anshuman Mahaley whose camera captures the after effects of a country wrecked by a war stretching over two decades. The disheveled tanks, buildings in shambles, endless muddy roads peppered with unhospitable rocks, Buzkushi bonhomie and majestic caves, Anshuman's camera ensnares Kabir Khan's vision. In totality. The whole country seems to be the finding of an ancient excavation site.



Kabir Khan, the director scores successful points due to the effortless coming-together of entertainment and an objective world view. He doesn't impose his own point of view that the Taliban is bad or Americans are good or Pakistanis are opportunists. The unfolding of truths happens through the conversation between Khyber and Imran as to how Taliban was a creation of America to fight the Russians and later Pakistan promoted them to further their interests within Afghanistan. And now the same Pakistan was fighting Taliban tooth-n-nail just to remain in American Good Books. It's been a full circle. A game that nobody has won. But the country of Afghanistan has been totally devastated. And nobody seems to understand that it takes ages to build something while in so little time a whole civilization has been destroyed.

It's not as if 'Kabul Express' doesn't have its loopholes. The five protagonists successfully evade bullets, an American bomber doesn't retaliate in spite of being shot at, the graph of the American journalist Jessica is sketchy, where she comes from and where she goes isn't highlighted properly at all and 'Kabul Express' could still have been made even if John Abraham wasn't there. For the poor fellow hardly does much in the film and Arshad Warsi simply walks away with all the meaty lines. Arshad is having a great year and 'Kabul Express' will further boost his credibility as an actor with an amazing comic timing.

If you ask me who's the best actor amongst them all, then it has be Salman Shahid who disrobes a myriad of emotions. And his palette of expression carries a wide variety of emotions. Linda Arsenio is competent while Hanif Humgum truly loves Hindi films. For he mouths a few of the dialogues in a typical filmi manner. Very endearing is all I can say. Amitabh Shukla's editing ensures that there isn't any dull moment in the film while Julius Packiam's background score is spellbinding and apt for the various situations.

'Kabul Express' is not a run of the mill film. And it shall appeal only to a select audience who appreciates sensible cinema. Here I must add that sensible cinema need not mean that it's not entertaining. The entertainment quotient is ripe throughout the film. Even in the ending. It's heartening to note that Yashraj Films have finally climbed down from their high horse of sugar coated flaky romances and delivered a quality product with no frills or dhoom attached. Hope they continue to patronize such kind of cinema in the future too.

Star Rating: ***1/2

http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/review/8318.html