Yahaan

Yahaan is surprisingly a very well made film, which, shines out amongst the current crop, despite its share of flaws! The basic premise of the movie is a touching and emotional love story of a young Captain of the Indian Army posted in Kashmir and that of a local Kashmiri Muslim girl, how their relationship is considered blasphemous by the society, the terrorits, the girl's family and even the army, but despite all odds the lovers face, they triumph in the end.

Cinematography and Music is first rate, and half the time you have the feeling that one is watching a Steven Spielberg War movie! The movie is shot is some rare locations in the valley and bring out the beauty and terror of Kashmir amazingly. Music is soulful and haunting and more than anything else, the romantic duet ''Naam Adaa Likhan'' leaves a mark on your mind.

The performances are heartfelt and sincere, Jimmy Shergill stands out in his potrayal of Captain Aman, the idealistic, tough yet compassionate Officer who wants to see beyond the terror and fear in the valley. Minisha as Adaa, a local Kashmiri Muslim girl, is good for her debut, but she could have done better, considering the scope her role offered. The supporting cast is quite commendable and actually lift the whole movie to a different level.

The script lets the movie down in a few places, as the pace of the movie is uneven, but overall it is good, even if not very original. The whole romance between Aman and Adaa is decidedly the high point of the movie and has been picturised and written so well, that it seesms natural and realistic on the screen. Some of the encounter scenes are excellent & the army detailing is very nifty, which gives an authentic feel to the film.

I would recommend the movie quite favourably and would rate it amongst the better ones to come out this year, after Black, Parineeta and Paheli.