NEW DELHI:
There is something about the Salman-Katrina pairing; something that goes deeper than real-life affection. It’s even deeper than that crackling pitch-perfect chemistry that we see among endearing star-pairs, like Rajesh-Mumtaz and Shahrukh-Kajol.
In Ek Tha Tiger, there’s genuine protectiveness in Salman Khan’s eyes every time he looks at co-star Katrina Kaif, and it suits the film’s purpose. The film is a love story of two spies from different sides of the border who, during the course of their sinister cloak-and-dagger work, fall in love.
Salman has quite a few moments with his beautiful co-star. For once, the superstar looks neither bored nor distracted – he isn’t impatient to move forward.
Salman’s character is remarkably restrained and expressive. He handles both the action and the romantic sequences with seamless empathy.
Katrina plays a woman who had a genuinely happy childhood that has been snatched away by the nature of her profession. The Bollywood bombshell manages to convey the pain of her past with her eyes and also manages to kick some butt when the need arises.
The blend of action and romance in this movie is achieved with a fluency that we’ve seldom seen in the action-romance genre. Also, since it is a Salman Khan movie, you can expect lots of humour.
What makes director Kabir Khan’s telling of this routine love story come alive is the presentation and packaging, both unique but never over-punctuated.
It’s not easy to make an intelligent film on intelligence without tripping over the barbed wires of politics and espionage jargon. Kabir Khan strips the love story to its bare necessities without diminishing the density of the drama.
Ek Tha Tiger is more of a passionate love story than an action-thriller. Brilliantly scripted and deftly directed, it’s Salman Khan’s best film in ages.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2012.
COMMENTS (12)
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@Vishnu Dutta: Did you graduate from LSU? CBI is looking for you
The plot of the story of EK THA TIGER is inspired by real life story of ravinder kaushik, but the film makers could not portrey his story on screen in a true sense, his real life sotry bigger than this portrey on silver screen
If you still haven't seen The Dark Knight Rises, then go watch it this eid. This movie seriously seems to have no taste!
@Indian: Yeah sure telegraphindia lol anyway thats what I said make a movie about him Ek Tha Doggy.
@Asad: Ravinder Kaushik (alias Major Nabi Ahmed in Pakistan Army) died in Multan jail in November 2001. He was buried behind the jail. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1021230/asp/frontpage/story_1526967.asp
@Indian: That could be the next script of the bollywood fantasy movie genre that you guys keep confusing with reality.
Its unfortunate that 2 days after celebrating our 'independence' we decided to censor this movie in Pakistan. Shows how 'free' our minds really are....
@Rajendra Kalkhande, Sir Plz talk about hot pakoraz n hot samosas :)
Well movies generate jobs, stimulate local economy, publicity, awards, stage shows, concerts, soft power and wealth. Once the movie is off the screen radio DJ will play songs and sell ad for their radio station, in few months TV channel will show it and generate money from ad. Did I say it may create memories for few people. Overall it is good for the economy. After all It Is (still) Economy Stupid.
Nothing sells like Indo-Pak mix of anything. Be it love or hate, both sell like hot cake. Hate at Wagah border sells internationally now. Every evening thousands of people including international tourists flock there to watch the Indo-Pak hate at its peak. Every now and then one can watch the Indo-Pak love at display at the same place through peace candle lights. Comments sections in news papers turn out be be like Indo-Pak cricket match where one can see bouncers and sixes from both sides. Bollywood often comes with themes involving Indo-Pak characters. It sells all the time. We had Heena, veer Zara and now Ek Tha Tiger.. I am sure many more will follow.
where did u watch it? has it released in pakistan?