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Produced by: Aditya Chopra
Directed by: Kabir Khan
Cast: John Abraham, Arshad Warsi, Linda Arcinio, Hanif Hum Ghum,
Salman
Music: Raghav
Rating: Average
Synopsis: Deserts, mountains, kebabs and a jeep called Kabul Express. Two Indian journalists Salim (John Abraham) and Jai (Arshad Warsi) come to Afghanistan to film the aftereffects of the war and if possible to interview a Taliban. Their Afghani driver Salman arranges an interview with a captured Taliban. On reaching the selected place, they are told that the Taliban has escaped. Mission unaccomplished.
While having dinner in a typical Afghani eating place they meet an American journalist Jessica, who has come to the country for the same purpose. As they get into the jeep, they meet the Taliban and are forced to go to the border as the Taliban (Imran) wants to go to Pakistan.
The car journey begins. A small checkpost guarded by Afghani soldiers, who speak in the Afghani bhasha which is translated into English, and a checkpost with Paki soldiers, a mustachioed guy who speaks Hindi with a Marathi accent.
The much needed comic factor is provided by Jai (Arshad), he gets the best punch lines. His expressions and dialogue delivery is completely on the ball. He has moved beyond Circuit--Munnabhai's friend. Like when he gets into an argument with the Taliban on who's the best all-rounder Imran Khan or Kapil Dev. Or when he sings along when the radio plays "main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya... Those are the few moments
when one laughs out of sheer relief.
It's a 1 hour 45 mins film, no songs or belly dancing. It has the look of a documentary or a travelogue for BBC and the Travel and Living show.The colour brown is awesome and the visuals are stunning. John has a
worried look throughout the film, and the same look replicated on the faces of the school and college students who had come to see the film, wondering yeh drive kabhi end hoga.
The few moments which could have shown the turmoil of the people in Kabul goes waste, as you just don't feel the pain. Ensure that you carry popcorn and cold drinks to avoid carsickness.
-- Chandrika Bhattacharya
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