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Heroes - Review
I recently visited Sikkim, the tiny, north-eastern state of India that borders three countries. Needless to say we encountered a lot of military camps, one such at 17100 feet above sea level. One question always haunts me - what makes a person decide he wants to stay away from his family, face death every day? What kind of passion drives him? Heroes makes an attempt to answer this question. Unfortunately, what started off very interestingly as a debate is only a camouflage leading us to a pre-determined conclusion.
The stories of the three soldiers encompass all intimate relationships - spouse, siblings, and parents. And it does so well, by clearly defining each prominent member of the family. But, that can'€™t be said about the two bikers who set out to meet these families, Sammy and Ali. There are very slight differences and the things that move or trigger their behavior are fuzzy.
Anyway, the story is not as much about them as it is about what we can draw from the three families. Alas, only one story manages to touch you. The others are crippled by over-dramatization and predictability. The elegance beautifully seeping into interiors of Punjab is a real treat - especially since it'€™s in such contrast with how loud Punjabis are usually depicted as in Hindi movies. Certainly, Preity Zinta'€™s composed performance had a lot to do with how her story moves you.
Soon enough, Sunny Deol takes over all the loudness that we were apparently missing. And from then on the narrative is downhill. Sunny Deol comes across as eccentric, but then again, his character was supposed to be eccentric. Having given that benefit of doubt too, it was a bit much to handle. This is followed by Mithun Chakraorty'€™s story which had a lot of potential since he was the only affected character debating against people joining the army. But, it just didn'€™t have the required vigor and enthusiasm to take the movie through to touchdown.
The other culprit is the length of the movie. The forever, dragged on hugs just don'€™t have a place in a movie like this. And it does become a bore when the subtlety gives way to long-winded spiels that shove patriotism down our throat. The slapsticky introduction of the bikers too, was absolutely out of tune with the rest of the movie. Not to mention the songs. Do we really have to see one Deol brother teach the other how to dance?!
It requires courage to avoid the sleaze and the so-called glamour. Yet, Heroes does manage to raise a question and answers it, even if not convincingly. It gives us an opportunity to salute.
Salutes to the heroes who lay down their lives for us. Salutes to their families who make sacrifices like it were their duty. Salutes to the bravery and to the pride.
-withoutgivingthemovieaway.com
Review: 'Heroes' strikes a sympathetic chord, gives patriotic goose bumps
Mumbai, Oct 24: Samir Karnik's star-packed 'Heroes', which released this Friday, has fairly succeeded in conveying the message which says that one does not have to be a soldier to love his country. The film arrives on this well thought of conclusion after treading through the lives of three army men. Although the promos of 'Heroes' didn't look very appealing on TV, but the film has surprisingly opened to a somewhat decent response.
The multi-starrer flick that has an assemblage of leading stars like Salman Khan, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Preity Zinta, Sohail Khan, and Mithun Chakraborty, is a typical masala film with the right dose of Punjabi flavour, patriotism and romance.
Written and directed by Sameer Karnik and Aseem Arora is loosely based on the cult classic 'The Motorcycles Diaries', 'Heroes' is about a road trip of two guys - Sohail Khan and Vatsal Seth with patriotism as the backdrop. The two boys undertake a journey and in the course of their travel their life becomes enriched with moments and experiences that completely change their outlook.
The film unfolds in three chapters. The first chapter involving Salman-Preity, is the highpoint of the film. The emotional moments in this chapter are charged with the spirit of nationalism. The second chapter presents the Deol brothers in an interesting role. Sunny and Bobby Deol have given a wonderful performance. The last chapter which shows Mithun da might not be impeccable but leaves you pondering as Mithun is likeable in an undoubtedly effective performance.
Ali aka Nawab Saab (Vatsal) and Sameer aka Saand (Sohail) are best buddies who have flunked their film school exams and are required to make a movie in order to graduate. Their friend Priya (Amrita) introduces them to her war journalist cousin (Monish Behl) who tells them that they should deliver some letters to soldiers' families and they will get the content they need for their film and it would be also be an adventurous journey for them.
They are moved by the people they meet, the bereaved family of army man Balkar Singh (Salman), Vikram Shergill (Sunny) who has lost his brother DJ (Bobby) and Dr Naqvi who has lost his son Sahil (Dino).
Preity with minimal make up has pulled off the role of a sardarni pretty well and her Punjabi is just perfect. This is surely one of her best performances in a long time. 'Anglicised' Salman has also managed to play the perfect 'Singh', and surprisingly, his Punjabi is good too. Dwij Yadav who plays their son is lovable. The story draws you to tears at certain points like the one with Preity crying for Salman and the kite flying at the border scene.
Sunny Deol's character is perfectly cast as the proud former Air Force Squadron leader. Bobby Deol does justice to his character too.
'Heroes' definitely strikes a sympathetic chord with all the families who have lost their loved ones for the country. See it to live how it feels to lose a dear one for the love of the country. Three cheers for this one!
from:zee
Hindi Film Review
By Subhash K Jha
Heroes
Starring Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Salman Khan, Preity Zinta, Mithun Chakraborty, Dino Morea, Sohail Khan, Vatsal Sheth
Directed by Samir Karnik
Rating: ****
Now, where did this from???!!!
Not since Rakeysh Mehra's Rang De Basanti have we seen a film so inspiring.
Portions of Heroes are pure genius, sparkling with the unshed tears of a mother whose child has died before she could hold it in her arms and nurture it.
Here's a piece of cinema that we need to stand and applaud for its idealism , its absolute absence of cynicism in telling a story that invites the conscience to cry for a country and global society that can't think beyond its own nose.
But wait. Heroes is not a flag-waving exercize propagating the join-the-army message.
Yes, to begin with , the film does put forward that message . So did Farhan Akhtar's Lakshya. But that's another story.
But soon enough you journey across the toughest Indian terrain of intense warmth and acute cold in pursuit of a dream that transcends the nightmare of everyday existence .And you realize Heroes is about bereavement and how to cope with it without getting cynical about sloganeering subjects like patriotism and desh-bhakti.
To a wife in Punjab who copes with a child and her dead soldier's parents on her own, or a wheelchaired soldier who has lost his kid brother to war, or to an aging couple coping with the death of their only son to war, does it matter if the country needs to be protected from outside aggression?
The answer to the question is not provided in rhetorics and sermons but in the course of the vivid journey that takes our two narrators Sohail and Vatsal Sheth to the heart of the country.
Heroes follows suit. It's shot on location in the hearts of characters who are wounded by war without going to the battle friend.
This isn't the first film about the war bereaved coping with their loss . At times Heroes is redolent of J.P Dutta's Border and LOC Kargil….those homesick solidiers writing those lovelorn letters from the battlefront , the battery of war vehicles winding their way through the mountainous terrain, the soldiers coming home in coffins…
Yup, we've seen it all before. But director Samir Karnik succeeds in taking the theme of social responsibility patriotism and soldierly duties far beyond the clichs.
Some interludes woven into the multitude of grieving characters' lives are heartstopping in their poetic lucidity. The look in Preity's eyes when she hold her dead husband's letter in her trembling hands, or much much later when our two narrators reach a snowcapped salvation and travel in a vehicle loaded with coffins of war martyrs…or Mithun Chakraborty's breakdown before his dead son's picture….dude, this is not an ordinary cinematic happening!
Heroes connects with us in ways that are emotional and spiritual. Often while you watch the characters live through a devastating loss, you feel the screenwriter, dialogue writer and director breathe a vigorous life into the scenes by harnessing and articulating feelings that threaten to be washed by tears.
Karnik goes for an emotional understatement even when he's at liberty to pull out all stops. All three segments of bereavement and reconconciliation are designed with a great deal of emotional honesty and clamped intensity. If one has to pick a favourite it would have to be the first overture in journey where Vatsal-Sohail meet the brave Punjabi war widow.
Disappearing into herself to emerge with a character who is ramrod-straight and dignified in her tragedy , Preity Zinta gives the film's best performance…and that's saying a lot in film scattered with sensitive portrayals.
Preity's eyes convey aeons of dignified pain.
Effortlessly and persuasively Katnik goes from pure emotionalism to unstoppered populism. Watch Sunny Deol's fight in the pub where he swings into full-fledged action from a wheelchair.
This is what the junta would call a full paisa-vasool sequence.
It's astonishing how the director uses full-blown commercial actors to play characters who touch emotions that are generally denied access in our mainstream cinema.
Besides Preity, Sunny Deol(more for his character's packaging than basic performance) and Mithun Chakbraborty , the child actor Dwij Yadav Sohail Khan leave the strongest impression. Vatsal Sheth's rawness goes well with his spoilt-rich-coming-of-age character, a sort of Hrithik Roshan from Lakshya on wheels.
The actors are supported by locations that ooze the emotions of the characters in the right shades of life.
The two cinematogaphers Binod Pradhan and Gopal Shah create stirring echoes of spiritual and emotional majesty without letting the colour schemes become over-representational.
Throughout , the narrative retains the rhythms and emotions of life, never letting go of the threads that bind humanity to the suffering that comes with the existentiual territory.
On the minus side the songs and dances are largely over-stated and obtrusive. Sohail and Vatsal's striptease with Riya Sen and Amrita Arora belongs to another film, another world.
A special word for Samir Karnik and Aseem Arora's dialogues. The conversations convey both the reality of real life and the richness of a life that exists beyond the mundane motions of everyday chit-chat.
Did Samir Karnik really make Kyun, Ho Gaya Na. Will the real artiste please stand up? And take a bow.
Movie Review: Heroes
Film Critic: Goher Iqbal Punn
Producers: Bharat Shah, Samir Karnik and Vikaas Kapoor
Director: Samir Karnik
Cast: Salman Khan, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Sohail Khan, Dino Morea, Mithun Chakraborty, Preity Zinta and Vatsal Seth
Music: Sajid-Wajid
Samir Karnik has come up with his third venture, 'Heroes'. His two earlier projects – Kyuon Ho Gaya Na and Nanhe Jaislamer could not do better at the box office. Thus his expectations with this film are huge. Starring the biggies of the trade – Salman Khan, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Sohail Khan, Dino Morea, Mithun Chakraborty, Preity Zinta and Vatsal Seth, 'Heroes' has potential to hit the hearts. Since the promos have been showing the men in uniform, it doesn't mean that this flick is a war film though it talks about love for the country. But it's not like a JP Dutta film or anti Pakistan movie. It's a wonderfully made film focusing on the love for the nation and patriotism.
The reels unzip showing two aspiring filmmakers who decide to make an anti-army movie, justifying the youth's aversion towards the defence services. For their research they get hold of a few undelivered letters written by three soldiers during the Kargil War. These letters bring forth old stories of the dead soldiers and the pain their families went through long after the war was over.
The film has evoking strong emotions. It also arouses strapping patriotic feelings inside you. There are moments, when you automatically salute the guards of the nation. The ending is brilliant with the message that you don't have to be a soldier to love your country.
Samir Karnik appears as a great storyteller here. The cinematography by Gopal Shah and Binod Pradhan is superb. The music is poor. 'Mannata' is the one, which is hummable. Dialogues are the ones to rave about.
Amongst the characters, Salman Khan does the finest job of his career. He is great to watch. Preity Zinta is a treat to watch when she speaks Punjabi with so much ease. Sohail Khan enacts well. Sunny Deol does well but Bobby Deol loots the hearts with his performance. Vitsal Seth is okay. Dino is likeable. Mithun justifies the role. Others are also passable.
On the whole, 'Heroes' is a brilliant effort by Samir Karnik. The film will work big at the box office.
from:ibo
Rang de motorcycling
Heroes
Cast: Sunny Deol, Salman Khan, Preity Zinta
Direction: Sameer Karnik
Ratings: **1/2
They are skirt-chasing, college-bunking stereotypes. Somehow or the other, Saand (Sohail Khan) and Nawab (Vatsal Sheth), got into film school but to get out, they have to make a graduation film, or they can't take off to the U S.
So Saand, who hates wearing clothes and looks too old to be called 'bacha' and his buddy Nawab hop on to a bike (they must have seen The Motorcycle Diaries). They set off on an adventure to make a film that proves that it is not a good idea to join the Indian Army.
The overage twosome in Samir Karnik's Heroes, are not anti-war. Neither are they concerned about the way soldiers are treated. A war-savvy reporter gives them letters to deliver to the families of dead soldiers– three years too late—and the biking twosome ends up sampling the real side of life which they would never have in their useless hedonistic lives (by the way, they strip at an all- girls' party).
First stop — Punjab, where a war widow (Preity Zinta) and her perky kid (Dwij Yadav) show them what life's like after her husband (Salman Khan-impressive in a small role) is killed on the battlefront.
This was an opportunity to show how the army abandons the families of its 'martys' to a life of struggle, but Karnik is merely interested in wringing tears the old-fashioned way, and not in starting a debate. He succeeds—mainly because Preity Zinta brings to a role a gravitas and dignity that is seen on the faces of ordinary women—this may be her coming of age as an actress.
Next the bikers go over to Himachal to meet a an air force pilot who lost his legs and his brother (Bobby Deol) to war, but is still raring to go. Being on a wheelchair does not prevent him from thrashing to pulp a bunch of ill-bred hicks harassing his girlfriend. (at the mention of 'girlfriend' our bikers look askance, to be told that above the knee, everything works!)
Last stop: Ladakh. Or the home of an embittered doctor (Mithun Chakraborty) who can't let go of memories of his dead son (Dino Morea). This episode doesn't quite come off.
The end can't but be flag-wavingly predictable with the useless duo becoming aware of their conscience and their nation. Rang de Motorcyling? There are a multitude of deficiencies – the miscasting of the two motorcycle dudes is the biggest. Sohail Khan and Vatsal Seth? Please, they tend to grate on the nerves.
The film is too simple and schematic — but redeemably there are some emotional moments that ring true. If not for them, it would indeed have been a heroic achievement to sit through this odyssey of two overgrown zeroes.
2.5/5
-hindustantimes.com
Heroes misses the mark
Sonia Chopra
It's sad to see a good film slip; to see an earnest effort go down the melodramatic route, so as to lose every shred of conviction it had built up for the viewer. Let's look at the core concept– two film students, high on the good life, argue about joining the army. They have to think up a topic for their graduation film anyway; so they decide to make one on 'Why not join the armed forces'.
The premise has you thinking back to Lakshya, Rang De Basanti and Summer 2007. They enlist help from a friend's cousin who is a war journalist—he tells them to deliver three letters by deceased soldiers to their families and ensures them that this experience would make their film..
Incidentally the two happy-go-lucky students are called Sammy (Sohail Khan, as a student, come now!) and Ali (Vatsal Seth). They hop on their bike and reach their first destination in rural Punjab.
Since the letters are three years old, they encounter how the families of the soldiers are coping. They meet war widow (Zinta) and are moved by the multiple responsibilities she now shoulders. Her husband Balkar Singh (Salman Khan) died during the war and we flashback to see their love story unfold. Second stop for the boys is Himachal, where they meet disabled ex-air force officer Vikram Shergill (Sunny Deol) who lives alone and drinks around the clock.
Glad to have company, Vikram tells the story of his brother Dhananjay (Bobby Deol) who lost his life in war. "But I have no regrets. My family has been giving up their life for the country since generations," says the brave officer.
He uses the word 'garv' (pride) ever so often, a word that is to become a constant within the film's dialogue in the reels to come. Reading Dhananjay's letter about the army not receiving bullet-proof jackets, Vikram is moved, as are you.
This is possibly the only portion in the film where you are completely immersed in the story. His monologue about serving the nation even without joining the army, just doing any thing one can for the country's progress, is touching indeed. You think this film's promotion of practical patriotism over jingoistic lines is refreshing.
But a scene later, you see this legless man beating up a circle of goons in a nightclub for hitting on his girlfriend. In another scene, overcome with emotion, he drives his wheelchair after fighter planes in the sky as if trying to catch them, and salutes them. So much for subtlety.
Third up, is letter delivery to army officer Sahil Naqvi's (Dino Morea) home, where his mother is throwing elaborate tea parties to get her life back on routine, while the father (Mithun Chakraborty) is inconsolably bitter.
This portion has an unintentionally comic scene: that of the son taping a happy message to his parents from the war location, and getting killed right then. This tape recorded message is played to our dazed amateur filmmakers, as they well up with tears for the hundredth time in the film. The other unintentional comedy is the ending, which itch as I may, I cannot reveal.
On the plus side is the balanced approach towards patriotism in the real world, without enemy-bashing. One wishes filmmaker Samir Karnik has kept this tone throughout, instead of falling in the melodramatic mode ever so often.
The film loses its believability when you see Balkar Singh's tiny son saluting his uniform and vowing to join the army like his father, or when the film tries to make a symbolic gesture by showing an Indian flag kite fall on Pakistani soil.
The story –telling, that has some immersing moments, is marred by the long length and constant flashbacks – a staple of our Bollywood army films. Performance-wise, the film is a treat as every actor does well. It's particularly delightful to see Preity Zinta, Sunny Deol and Mithun's rendering of their complex roles. Vatsal looks the part, but is unable to add any depth to his role.
Sohail, a fairly good actor, is out of sorts in a role that he doesn't look in the first place. Cinematography by Binod Pradhan and Gopal Shah showcases the pristine beauty of Punjab, Himachal and Leh. Writing and editing could have done away with a lot of extraneous material to make the film tighter and more energetic. Dialogue is good, but does slip in the 'hamara desh, hamara bharat mahaan' bit, which sounds unnatural.
An average watch, which could have been a fantastic one.
Verdict: Two stars
-sify.com
Heroes Review
Cast: Salman Khan,Sunny Deol,Bobby Deol,M... Director: Samir Karnik
By Ashok Nayak
Fri, 24 Oct 2008
Featuring a mega star cast that comprises of Sohail Khan, Vatsal Sheth, Salman Khan, Preity Zinta, Mithun Chakraborty and many more, Samir Karnik presents 'Heroes' - a film on patriotism. "You don't need to be an army man to be patriotic and serve your country" is what the director wants to convey through Heroes, interestingly different and must say the trailers looked quite impressive as well. Also with Salman - Sunny - Mithunda sharing screen space, Heroes was a must watch for me.
Sammy and Ali are childhood friends. They have taken joint decisions in life, right from choosing a school to taking up a career. Even though they are not like-minded, they are together because they rely heavily on each other - two bodies, one soul. Sammy is an eccentric boy, high-spirited and has an uncanny knack of finding humor in the weirdest of situations. He's generous, compassionate yet impulsive. He is like a kid who needs to fall to learn how to walk. Ali on the other hand is quieter and more mature.
Heroes is the story of these two boys who travel a thousand miles to deliver three letters as a part of their film school assignment. But little do they know that the journey they have embarked upon will give a new meaning to their life. They discover the power within themselves to change lives and events that are of importance. Heroes emphasizes on the simple experiences that can awaken feelings of patriotism. A fun road trip for two boys and a series of experiences that finite emotions that have never been experienced before, this is the underlying crux of the film. The film is an attempt to bring out the new age meaning of patriotism - 'You don't have to be a soldier to love your country'.
The director has attempted to do something different this time around, as the film is based on life after the war. The film is divided into 3 stories, apart from the main storyline of Sohail and Vatsal Sheth that binds the movie together.
Samir Karnik strikes the right chord with Heroes something that he failed to do in his previous films. The movie starts off quite well with the 2 main characters. The first part featuring Salman Khan and Preity Zinta is high on emotions and deftly executed by the director. If you miss or missed the Sunny Deol of the 80s and 90s, Heroes is a must watch. Sunny bashes 15 - 20 goons at a time, breaking the flooring on the way and all this with disabled legs! The Sunny Deol portions will work big time with the masses and people up north, where the Deol's command a great fan following.
The third part is deprived in all respect; story, direction and performance. The chemistry between father (Mithunda) and son (Dino Morea) was non-existent.
Music by Sajid - Wajid is good but most of the tracks just add to the runtime. Cinematography is fantastic. A few dialogues make an impact.
Performances by Salman Khan, Preity Zinta and Vatsal Sheth stand out. Sohail Khan can't act to save his life. The rest are fine.
To sum up, Heroes calls for patriotism and emotions. If you want to see Sunny at his 90s best, Salman as a Singh or a movie on patriotism that connects in parts. Go for it. Else, Heroes is a DVD watch.
2/5
-nowrunning.com
I recently visited Sikkim, the tiny, north-eastern state of India that borders three countries. Needless to say we encountered a lot of military camps, one such at 17100 feet above sea level. One question always haunts me - what makes a person decide he wants to stay away from his family, face death every day? What kind of passion drives him? Heroes makes an attempt to answer this question. Unfortunately, what started off very interestingly as a debate is only a camouflage leading us to a pre-determined conclusion.
The stories of the three soldiers encompass all intimate relationships - spouse, siblings, and parents. And it does so well, by clearly defining each prominent member of the family. But, that can'€™t be said about the two bikers who set out to meet these families, Sammy and Ali. There are very slight differences and the things that move or trigger their behavior are fuzzy.
Anyway, the story is not as much about them as it is about what we can draw from the three families. Alas, only one story manages to touch you. The others are crippled by over-dramatization and predictability. The elegance beautifully seeping into interiors of Punjab is a real treat - especially since it'€™s in such contrast with how loud Punjabis are usually depicted as in Hindi movies. Certainly, Preity Zinta'€™s composed performance had a lot to do with how her story moves you.
Soon enough, Sunny Deol takes over all the loudness that we were apparently missing. And from then on the narrative is downhill. Sunny Deol comes across as eccentric, but then again, his character was supposed to be eccentric. Having given that benefit of doubt too, it was a bit much to handle. This is followed by Mithun Chakraorty'€™s story which had a lot of potential since he was the only affected character debating against people joining the army. But, it just didn'€™t have the required vigor and enthusiasm to take the movie through to touchdown.
The other culprit is the length of the movie. The forever, dragged on hugs just don'€™t have a place in a movie like this. And it does become a bore when the subtlety gives way to long-winded spiels that shove patriotism down our throat. The slapsticky introduction of the bikers too, was absolutely out of tune with the rest of the movie. Not to mention the songs. Do we really have to see one Deol brother teach the other how to dance?!
It requires courage to avoid the sleaze and the so-called glamour. Yet, Heroes does manage to raise a question and answers it, even if not convincingly. It gives us an opportunity to salute.
Salutes to the heroes who lay down their lives for us. Salutes to their families who make sacrifices like it were their duty. Salutes to the bravery and to the pride.
-withoutgivingthemovieaway.com
Review: 'Heroes' strikes a sympathetic chord, gives patriotic goose bumps
Mumbai, Oct 24: Samir Karnik's star-packed 'Heroes', which released this Friday, has fairly succeeded in conveying the message which says that one does not have to be a soldier to love his country. The film arrives on this well thought of conclusion after treading through the lives of three army men. Although the promos of 'Heroes' didn't look very appealing on TV, but the film has surprisingly opened to a somewhat decent response.
The multi-starrer flick that has an assemblage of leading stars like Salman Khan, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Preity Zinta, Sohail Khan, and Mithun Chakraborty, is a typical masala film with the right dose of Punjabi flavour, patriotism and romance.
Written and directed by Sameer Karnik and Aseem Arora is loosely based on the cult classic 'The Motorcycles Diaries', 'Heroes' is about a road trip of two guys - Sohail Khan and Vatsal Seth with patriotism as the backdrop. The two boys undertake a journey and in the course of their travel their life becomes enriched with moments and experiences that completely change their outlook.
The film unfolds in three chapters. The first chapter involving Salman-Preity, is the highpoint of the film. The emotional moments in this chapter are charged with the spirit of nationalism. The second chapter presents the Deol brothers in an interesting role. Sunny and Bobby Deol have given a wonderful performance. The last chapter which shows Mithun da might not be impeccable but leaves you pondering as Mithun is likeable in an undoubtedly effective performance.
Ali aka Nawab Saab (Vatsal) and Sameer aka Saand (Sohail) are best buddies who have flunked their film school exams and are required to make a movie in order to graduate. Their friend Priya (Amrita) introduces them to her war journalist cousin (Monish Behl) who tells them that they should deliver some letters to soldiers' families and they will get the content they need for their film and it would be also be an adventurous journey for them.
They are moved by the people they meet, the bereaved family of army man Balkar Singh (Salman), Vikram Shergill (Sunny) who has lost his brother DJ (Bobby) and Dr Naqvi who has lost his son Sahil (Dino).
Preity with minimal make up has pulled off the role of a sardarni pretty well and her Punjabi is just perfect. This is surely one of her best performances in a long time. 'Anglicised' Salman has also managed to play the perfect 'Singh', and surprisingly, his Punjabi is good too. Dwij Yadav who plays their son is lovable. The story draws you to tears at certain points like the one with Preity crying for Salman and the kite flying at the border scene.
Sunny Deol's character is perfectly cast as the proud former Air Force Squadron leader. Bobby Deol does justice to his character too.
'Heroes' definitely strikes a sympathetic chord with all the families who have lost their loved ones for the country. See it to live how it feels to lose a dear one for the love of the country. Three cheers for this one!
from:zee
Hindi Film Review
By Subhash K Jha
Heroes
Starring Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Salman Khan, Preity Zinta, Mithun Chakraborty, Dino Morea, Sohail Khan, Vatsal Sheth
Directed by Samir Karnik
Rating: ****
Now, where did this from???!!!
Not since Rakeysh Mehra's Rang De Basanti have we seen a film so inspiring.
Portions of Heroes are pure genius, sparkling with the unshed tears of a mother whose child has died before she could hold it in her arms and nurture it.
Here's a piece of cinema that we need to stand and applaud for its idealism , its absolute absence of cynicism in telling a story that invites the conscience to cry for a country and global society that can't think beyond its own nose.
But wait. Heroes is not a flag-waving exercize propagating the join-the-army message.
Yes, to begin with , the film does put forward that message . So did Farhan Akhtar's Lakshya. But that's another story.
But soon enough you journey across the toughest Indian terrain of intense warmth and acute cold in pursuit of a dream that transcends the nightmare of everyday existence .And you realize Heroes is about bereavement and how to cope with it without getting cynical about sloganeering subjects like patriotism and desh-bhakti.
To a wife in Punjab who copes with a child and her dead soldier's parents on her own, or a wheelchaired soldier who has lost his kid brother to war, or to an aging couple coping with the death of their only son to war, does it matter if the country needs to be protected from outside aggression?
The answer to the question is not provided in rhetorics and sermons but in the course of the vivid journey that takes our two narrators Sohail and Vatsal Sheth to the heart of the country.
Heroes follows suit. It's shot on location in the hearts of characters who are wounded by war without going to the battle friend.
This isn't the first film about the war bereaved coping with their loss . At times Heroes is redolent of J.P Dutta's Border and LOC Kargil….those homesick solidiers writing those lovelorn letters from the battlefront , the battery of war vehicles winding their way through the mountainous terrain, the soldiers coming home in coffins…
Yup, we've seen it all before. But director Samir Karnik succeeds in taking the theme of social responsibility patriotism and soldierly duties far beyond the clichs.
Some interludes woven into the multitude of grieving characters' lives are heartstopping in their poetic lucidity. The look in Preity's eyes when she hold her dead husband's letter in her trembling hands, or much much later when our two narrators reach a snowcapped salvation and travel in a vehicle loaded with coffins of war martyrs…or Mithun Chakraborty's breakdown before his dead son's picture….dude, this is not an ordinary cinematic happening!
Heroes connects with us in ways that are emotional and spiritual. Often while you watch the characters live through a devastating loss, you feel the screenwriter, dialogue writer and director breathe a vigorous life into the scenes by harnessing and articulating feelings that threaten to be washed by tears.
Karnik goes for an emotional understatement even when he's at liberty to pull out all stops. All three segments of bereavement and reconconciliation are designed with a great deal of emotional honesty and clamped intensity. If one has to pick a favourite it would have to be the first overture in journey where Vatsal-Sohail meet the brave Punjabi war widow.
Disappearing into herself to emerge with a character who is ramrod-straight and dignified in her tragedy , Preity Zinta gives the film's best performance…and that's saying a lot in film scattered with sensitive portrayals.
Preity's eyes convey aeons of dignified pain.
Effortlessly and persuasively Katnik goes from pure emotionalism to unstoppered populism. Watch Sunny Deol's fight in the pub where he swings into full-fledged action from a wheelchair.
This is what the junta would call a full paisa-vasool sequence.
It's astonishing how the director uses full-blown commercial actors to play characters who touch emotions that are generally denied access in our mainstream cinema.
Besides Preity, Sunny Deol(more for his character's packaging than basic performance) and Mithun Chakbraborty , the child actor Dwij Yadav Sohail Khan leave the strongest impression. Vatsal Sheth's rawness goes well with his spoilt-rich-coming-of-age character, a sort of Hrithik Roshan from Lakshya on wheels.
The actors are supported by locations that ooze the emotions of the characters in the right shades of life.
The two cinematogaphers Binod Pradhan and Gopal Shah create stirring echoes of spiritual and emotional majesty without letting the colour schemes become over-representational.
Throughout , the narrative retains the rhythms and emotions of life, never letting go of the threads that bind humanity to the suffering that comes with the existentiual territory.
On the minus side the songs and dances are largely over-stated and obtrusive. Sohail and Vatsal's striptease with Riya Sen and Amrita Arora belongs to another film, another world.
A special word for Samir Karnik and Aseem Arora's dialogues. The conversations convey both the reality of real life and the richness of a life that exists beyond the mundane motions of everyday chit-chat.
Did Samir Karnik really make Kyun, Ho Gaya Na. Will the real artiste please stand up? And take a bow.
Movie Review: Heroes
Film Critic: Goher Iqbal Punn
Producers: Bharat Shah, Samir Karnik and Vikaas Kapoor
Director: Samir Karnik
Cast: Salman Khan, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Sohail Khan, Dino Morea, Mithun Chakraborty, Preity Zinta and Vatsal Seth
Music: Sajid-Wajid
Samir Karnik has come up with his third venture, 'Heroes'. His two earlier projects – Kyuon Ho Gaya Na and Nanhe Jaislamer could not do better at the box office. Thus his expectations with this film are huge. Starring the biggies of the trade – Salman Khan, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Sohail Khan, Dino Morea, Mithun Chakraborty, Preity Zinta and Vatsal Seth, 'Heroes' has potential to hit the hearts. Since the promos have been showing the men in uniform, it doesn't mean that this flick is a war film though it talks about love for the country. But it's not like a JP Dutta film or anti Pakistan movie. It's a wonderfully made film focusing on the love for the nation and patriotism.
The reels unzip showing two aspiring filmmakers who decide to make an anti-army movie, justifying the youth's aversion towards the defence services. For their research they get hold of a few undelivered letters written by three soldiers during the Kargil War. These letters bring forth old stories of the dead soldiers and the pain their families went through long after the war was over.
The film has evoking strong emotions. It also arouses strapping patriotic feelings inside you. There are moments, when you automatically salute the guards of the nation. The ending is brilliant with the message that you don't have to be a soldier to love your country.
Samir Karnik appears as a great storyteller here. The cinematography by Gopal Shah and Binod Pradhan is superb. The music is poor. 'Mannata' is the one, which is hummable. Dialogues are the ones to rave about.
Amongst the characters, Salman Khan does the finest job of his career. He is great to watch. Preity Zinta is a treat to watch when she speaks Punjabi with so much ease. Sohail Khan enacts well. Sunny Deol does well but Bobby Deol loots the hearts with his performance. Vitsal Seth is okay. Dino is likeable. Mithun justifies the role. Others are also passable.
On the whole, 'Heroes' is a brilliant effort by Samir Karnik. The film will work big at the box office.
from:ibo
Rang de motorcycling
Heroes
Cast: Sunny Deol, Salman Khan, Preity Zinta
Direction: Sameer Karnik
Ratings: **1/2
They are skirt-chasing, college-bunking stereotypes. Somehow or the other, Saand (Sohail Khan) and Nawab (Vatsal Sheth), got into film school but to get out, they have to make a graduation film, or they can't take off to the U S.
So Saand, who hates wearing clothes and looks too old to be called 'bacha' and his buddy Nawab hop on to a bike (they must have seen The Motorcycle Diaries). They set off on an adventure to make a film that proves that it is not a good idea to join the Indian Army.
The overage twosome in Samir Karnik's Heroes, are not anti-war. Neither are they concerned about the way soldiers are treated. A war-savvy reporter gives them letters to deliver to the families of dead soldiers– three years too late—and the biking twosome ends up sampling the real side of life which they would never have in their useless hedonistic lives (by the way, they strip at an all- girls' party).
First stop — Punjab, where a war widow (Preity Zinta) and her perky kid (Dwij Yadav) show them what life's like after her husband (Salman Khan-impressive in a small role) is killed on the battlefront.
This was an opportunity to show how the army abandons the families of its 'martys' to a life of struggle, but Karnik is merely interested in wringing tears the old-fashioned way, and not in starting a debate. He succeeds—mainly because Preity Zinta brings to a role a gravitas and dignity that is seen on the faces of ordinary women—this may be her coming of age as an actress.
Next the bikers go over to Himachal to meet a an air force pilot who lost his legs and his brother (Bobby Deol) to war, but is still raring to go. Being on a wheelchair does not prevent him from thrashing to pulp a bunch of ill-bred hicks harassing his girlfriend. (at the mention of 'girlfriend' our bikers look askance, to be told that above the knee, everything works!)
Last stop: Ladakh. Or the home of an embittered doctor (Mithun Chakraborty) who can't let go of memories of his dead son (Dino Morea). This episode doesn't quite come off.
The end can't but be flag-wavingly predictable with the useless duo becoming aware of their conscience and their nation. Rang de Motorcyling? There are a multitude of deficiencies – the miscasting of the two motorcycle dudes is the biggest. Sohail Khan and Vatsal Seth? Please, they tend to grate on the nerves.
The film is too simple and schematic — but redeemably there are some emotional moments that ring true. If not for them, it would indeed have been a heroic achievement to sit through this odyssey of two overgrown zeroes.
2.5/5
-hindustantimes.com
Heroes misses the mark
Sonia Chopra
It's sad to see a good film slip; to see an earnest effort go down the melodramatic route, so as to lose every shred of conviction it had built up for the viewer. Let's look at the core concept– two film students, high on the good life, argue about joining the army. They have to think up a topic for their graduation film anyway; so they decide to make one on 'Why not join the armed forces'.
The premise has you thinking back to Lakshya, Rang De Basanti and Summer 2007. They enlist help from a friend's cousin who is a war journalist—he tells them to deliver three letters by deceased soldiers to their families and ensures them that this experience would make their film..
Incidentally the two happy-go-lucky students are called Sammy (Sohail Khan, as a student, come now!) and Ali (Vatsal Seth). They hop on their bike and reach their first destination in rural Punjab.
Since the letters are three years old, they encounter how the families of the soldiers are coping. They meet war widow (Zinta) and are moved by the multiple responsibilities she now shoulders. Her husband Balkar Singh (Salman Khan) died during the war and we flashback to see their love story unfold. Second stop for the boys is Himachal, where they meet disabled ex-air force officer Vikram Shergill (Sunny Deol) who lives alone and drinks around the clock.
Glad to have company, Vikram tells the story of his brother Dhananjay (Bobby Deol) who lost his life in war. "But I have no regrets. My family has been giving up their life for the country since generations," says the brave officer.
He uses the word 'garv' (pride) ever so often, a word that is to become a constant within the film's dialogue in the reels to come. Reading Dhananjay's letter about the army not receiving bullet-proof jackets, Vikram is moved, as are you.
This is possibly the only portion in the film where you are completely immersed in the story. His monologue about serving the nation even without joining the army, just doing any thing one can for the country's progress, is touching indeed. You think this film's promotion of practical patriotism over jingoistic lines is refreshing.
But a scene later, you see this legless man beating up a circle of goons in a nightclub for hitting on his girlfriend. In another scene, overcome with emotion, he drives his wheelchair after fighter planes in the sky as if trying to catch them, and salutes them. So much for subtlety.
Third up, is letter delivery to army officer Sahil Naqvi's (Dino Morea) home, where his mother is throwing elaborate tea parties to get her life back on routine, while the father (Mithun Chakraborty) is inconsolably bitter.
This portion has an unintentionally comic scene: that of the son taping a happy message to his parents from the war location, and getting killed right then. This tape recorded message is played to our dazed amateur filmmakers, as they well up with tears for the hundredth time in the film. The other unintentional comedy is the ending, which itch as I may, I cannot reveal.
On the plus side is the balanced approach towards patriotism in the real world, without enemy-bashing. One wishes filmmaker Samir Karnik has kept this tone throughout, instead of falling in the melodramatic mode ever so often.
The film loses its believability when you see Balkar Singh's tiny son saluting his uniform and vowing to join the army like his father, or when the film tries to make a symbolic gesture by showing an Indian flag kite fall on Pakistani soil.
The story –telling, that has some immersing moments, is marred by the long length and constant flashbacks – a staple of our Bollywood army films. Performance-wise, the film is a treat as every actor does well. It's particularly delightful to see Preity Zinta, Sunny Deol and Mithun's rendering of their complex roles. Vatsal looks the part, but is unable to add any depth to his role.
Sohail, a fairly good actor, is out of sorts in a role that he doesn't look in the first place. Cinematography by Binod Pradhan and Gopal Shah showcases the pristine beauty of Punjab, Himachal and Leh. Writing and editing could have done away with a lot of extraneous material to make the film tighter and more energetic. Dialogue is good, but does slip in the 'hamara desh, hamara bharat mahaan' bit, which sounds unnatural.
An average watch, which could have been a fantastic one.
Verdict: Two stars
-sify.com
Heroes Review
Cast: Salman Khan,Sunny Deol,Bobby Deol,M... Director: Samir Karnik
By Ashok Nayak
Fri, 24 Oct 2008
Featuring a mega star cast that comprises of Sohail Khan, Vatsal Sheth, Salman Khan, Preity Zinta, Mithun Chakraborty and many more, Samir Karnik presents 'Heroes' - a film on patriotism. "You don't need to be an army man to be patriotic and serve your country" is what the director wants to convey through Heroes, interestingly different and must say the trailers looked quite impressive as well. Also with Salman - Sunny - Mithunda sharing screen space, Heroes was a must watch for me.
Sammy and Ali are childhood friends. They have taken joint decisions in life, right from choosing a school to taking up a career. Even though they are not like-minded, they are together because they rely heavily on each other - two bodies, one soul. Sammy is an eccentric boy, high-spirited and has an uncanny knack of finding humor in the weirdest of situations. He's generous, compassionate yet impulsive. He is like a kid who needs to fall to learn how to walk. Ali on the other hand is quieter and more mature.
Heroes is the story of these two boys who travel a thousand miles to deliver three letters as a part of their film school assignment. But little do they know that the journey they have embarked upon will give a new meaning to their life. They discover the power within themselves to change lives and events that are of importance. Heroes emphasizes on the simple experiences that can awaken feelings of patriotism. A fun road trip for two boys and a series of experiences that finite emotions that have never been experienced before, this is the underlying crux of the film. The film is an attempt to bring out the new age meaning of patriotism - 'You don't have to be a soldier to love your country'.
The director has attempted to do something different this time around, as the film is based on life after the war. The film is divided into 3 stories, apart from the main storyline of Sohail and Vatsal Sheth that binds the movie together.
Samir Karnik strikes the right chord with Heroes something that he failed to do in his previous films. The movie starts off quite well with the 2 main characters. The first part featuring Salman Khan and Preity Zinta is high on emotions and deftly executed by the director. If you miss or missed the Sunny Deol of the 80s and 90s, Heroes is a must watch. Sunny bashes 15 - 20 goons at a time, breaking the flooring on the way and all this with disabled legs! The Sunny Deol portions will work big time with the masses and people up north, where the Deol's command a great fan following.
The third part is deprived in all respect; story, direction and performance. The chemistry between father (Mithunda) and son (Dino Morea) was non-existent.
Music by Sajid - Wajid is good but most of the tracks just add to the runtime. Cinematography is fantastic. A few dialogues make an impact.
Performances by Salman Khan, Preity Zinta and Vatsal Sheth stand out. Sohail Khan can't act to save his life. The rest are fine.
To sum up, Heroes calls for patriotism and emotions. If you want to see Sunny at his 90s best, Salman as a Singh or a movie on patriotism that connects in parts. Go for it. Else, Heroes is a DVD watch.
2/5
-nowrunning.com
Masand's Verdict: Heroes has a script full of holes
Rajeev Masand / CNN-IBN
Director: Samir Karnik
Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Sunny Deol, Salman Khan, Preity Zinta, Sohail Khan, Bobby Deol, Dino Morea, Vatsal Seth
There's a scene in Heroes in which Sunny Deol on a wheelchair, playing an Air Force pilot who's lost both his legs in war, makes mincemeat out of a group of goondas at a nightclub. Using his fists to punch them, pound them and pummel them into putty, he then proceeds to crawl around the room on his fists, smashing the tiles and the bones of anyone who dares attack him. The message is clear: you may have lost your limbs, but if you've fought for your country, you'll never lose your spirit.
Heroes is a film that has its heart in the right place, but I'm still trying to locate its brain.
Sohail Khan and Vatsal Seth play two aimless drifters who must take a road-trip across North India to deliver a letter each to the families of three dead soldiers as part of their graduating project for film school. Expecting to hear bitter sermons against the Army from fathers, brothers and wives who've lost their loved ones to war, our protagonists discover instead the pride so many families feel for sacrificing their men to the country. It's a sort of wake-up call for the two boys who learn there's more to life than dancing around in their boxers with their girlfriends.
Director Samir Karnik borrows his basic plot idea from the acclaimed film The Motorcycle Diaries based on an early memoir of famous South American revolutionary Che Guevera. But where that film was an excellent coming-of-age story, a study in human awakening, Heroes fails to successfully illustrate how this journey affects the lives of the protagonists. After spending some two hours and twenty minutes making a case for the life-altering impact this journey is likely to have on the boys, Karnik rushes through the most crucial bit - we never really understand if any transformation has indeed taken place, except for knowing that they go on to twice fail the army exams, and somehow manage to open a school that they run together.
Subtlety and understating are tools that director Samir Karnik has no use for. Once you've come to terms with that, perhaps you won't flinch during the half-dozen emotionally manipulative scenes that are thrown in with the sole intention of giving you that lump in your throat. Whether it's the scene in which a young boy holds up his dead father's Army uniform and declares that he'll grow up to be a soldier too; or then the scene in which a mother plays out a tape with her son's last message to her - the film taps all the predictable emotions in the most predictable manner.
It's true - everything about Heroes is loud, overblown and in-your-face. It's a film that shamelessly woos its audience. And yet, there's something inherently noble about the film. Much of its appeal lies in the performances. Preity Zinta does a terrific job as the Punjabi widow who assumes the place of the man of the house following her husband's death at war. Mithun Chakraborty melts your heart as the angry father who still hasn't forgiven his son for never returning from war. And that ridiculous action scene aside, Sunny Deol sincerely sinks into the part of the older brother who's determined not to feel anything but pride over his younger sibling's sacrifice. In much smaller roles, even Bobby Deol, Dino Morea and particularly Salman Khan deliver honest heart-felt performances.
It's the two main leads however, Sohail Khan and Vatsal Seth, who never succeed in convincing you that their experiences have changed them. Both limited actors - to say the least - they never make that transition from goofballs to grown-ups, and it's they who prove to be this film's weakest link.
In the end, Heroes is a far-from-perfect film, held together by a script full of holes, too long and packed with too many songs. Yet it's got its moments. I'm going with two out of five for director Samir Karnik's Heroes, it's not entirely a waste of time.
Rating: 2 / 5 (Average)
Rajeev Masand / CNN-IBN
Director: Samir Karnik
Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Sunny Deol, Salman Khan, Preity Zinta, Sohail Khan, Bobby Deol, Dino Morea, Vatsal Seth
There's a scene in Heroes in which Sunny Deol on a wheelchair, playing an Air Force pilot who's lost both his legs in war, makes mincemeat out of a group of goondas at a nightclub. Using his fists to punch them, pound them and pummel them into putty, he then proceeds to crawl around the room on his fists, smashing the tiles and the bones of anyone who dares attack him. The message is clear: you may have lost your limbs, but if you've fought for your country, you'll never lose your spirit.
Heroes is a film that has its heart in the right place, but I'm still trying to locate its brain.
Sohail Khan and Vatsal Seth play two aimless drifters who must take a road-trip across North India to deliver a letter each to the families of three dead soldiers as part of their graduating project for film school. Expecting to hear bitter sermons against the Army from fathers, brothers and wives who've lost their loved ones to war, our protagonists discover instead the pride so many families feel for sacrificing their men to the country. It's a sort of wake-up call for the two boys who learn there's more to life than dancing around in their boxers with their girlfriends.
Director Samir Karnik borrows his basic plot idea from the acclaimed film The Motorcycle Diaries based on an early memoir of famous South American revolutionary Che Guevera. But where that film was an excellent coming-of-age story, a study in human awakening, Heroes fails to successfully illustrate how this journey affects the lives of the protagonists. After spending some two hours and twenty minutes making a case for the life-altering impact this journey is likely to have on the boys, Karnik rushes through the most crucial bit - we never really understand if any transformation has indeed taken place, except for knowing that they go on to twice fail the army exams, and somehow manage to open a school that they run together.
Subtlety and understating are tools that director Samir Karnik has no use for. Once you've come to terms with that, perhaps you won't flinch during the half-dozen emotionally manipulative scenes that are thrown in with the sole intention of giving you that lump in your throat. Whether it's the scene in which a young boy holds up his dead father's Army uniform and declares that he'll grow up to be a soldier too; or then the scene in which a mother plays out a tape with her son's last message to her - the film taps all the predictable emotions in the most predictable manner.
It's true - everything about Heroes is loud, overblown and in-your-face. It's a film that shamelessly woos its audience. And yet, there's something inherently noble about the film. Much of its appeal lies in the performances. Preity Zinta does a terrific job as the Punjabi widow who assumes the place of the man of the house following her husband's death at war. Mithun Chakraborty melts your heart as the angry father who still hasn't forgiven his son for never returning from war. And that ridiculous action scene aside, Sunny Deol sincerely sinks into the part of the older brother who's determined not to feel anything but pride over his younger sibling's sacrifice. In much smaller roles, even Bobby Deol, Dino Morea and particularly Salman Khan deliver honest heart-felt performances.
It's the two main leads however, Sohail Khan and Vatsal Seth, who never succeed in convincing you that their experiences have changed them. Both limited actors - to say the least - they never make that transition from goofballs to grown-ups, and it's they who prove to be this film's weakest link.
In the end, Heroes is a far-from-perfect film, held together by a script full of holes, too long and packed with too many songs. Yet it's got its moments. I'm going with two out of five for director Samir Karnik's Heroes, it's not entirely a waste of time.
Rating: 2 / 5 (Average)
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