Heroes
wogma rating: Watch but no rush (?)
Like the physical map of India, the movie starts off at the north with highs and lows, stays high for a bit and then goes pretty much flat.
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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.
- meeta, a part of the audience
Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, All Bollywood : ...Portions of Heroes are pure genius, sparkling with the unshed tears of a mother whose child dies before she can hold it in her arms and nurture it.... full review
Thumbs up, by Shannan Mann, Bolly Spice : ...While the main idea is enticing, does it maintain the same route with the plot? The answer is yes! The plot is just as amazing.... full review
Thumbs up, by Karishma Purshotam, desi hits : ...this film is refreshing from the word go....it has all the qualities of a super hit film. It gives a positive outlook to viewers about men serving in the army and the viewer is captured in with this emotional yet entertaining film.... full review
Thumbs up, by Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM : ...HEROES is a revelation. Cinema is all about narrating stories and Samir proves that he's a proficient storyteller.... full review
Thumbs up, by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes : ...The film arouses patriotic feelings without a trace of jingoism and at no point tries to show the neighbouring country in a negative outlook, a major tendency with this genre.... full review
Thumbs up, by Janhvi Patel, indya.com : ...I thought Heroes would be a run of the mill boring drama full of rona dhona. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised and left the theatre smiling.... full review
Thumbs up, by Goher Iqbal Punn, Radio Sargam : ...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.... full review
So-So, by noyon jyoti parasara, AOL INDIA : ...Samir Karnik's biggest flaw probably would be that he lets it flow too much before cutting it out!... full review
So-So, by Nikhil Kumar, Apun Ka Choice : ...Too much rona dhona mars the refreshingly different patriotic film Heroes by director Samir Karnik.... full review
So-So, by Sanjay Ram, Business of Cinema : ...Heroes in entirety does this well, but beyond a point from addressing emotions starts addressing problems and actions.... full review
So-So, by Anand Vaishnav, Buzz18 : ...Heroes has an interesting premise that talks about life after war. And though it does fall into the trap of getting too jingoistic in parts (Hollywood does this much better than us), the patriotism is not as overstated as a JP Dutta film.... full review
So-So, by deepa garimella, fullhyd.com : ...Heroes has its light-harted moments, but it ends up heavy, weepy and long... full review
So-So, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...What we have here is a very good story idea; what is lacking is proper cinematic treatment.... full review
So-So, by Anand Singh, Hindustan Times : ...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.... full review
So-So, Movie Talkies : ...Had Karnik passed on the sentimentality this effectively in the plots to follow, Heroes might have been as compelling as its purpose.... full review
So-So, by Sukanya Verma, Rediff : ...The message Heroes would like to convey is patriotic yet simple: You don't have to be a soldier to love your country.... full review
So-So, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...On the plus side is the balanced approach towards patriotism in the real world, without enemy-bashing.... full review
So-So, by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India : ...Alas, the filmmaker chooses to play the patriotic track at such a high pitch, he fails to connect with the viewer, except sporadically.... full review
Thumbs down, by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express : ...Ali(Vatsal Sheth) and Samir(Sohail khan) realise, among other things, that it’s far more honourable to die from enemy fire than by being run over by a bus.... full review
Thumbs down, by Daliya Daspurkayastha, Bollywood Mantra : ...The story idea is noble and pure, but people are already fed up with their own problem and they do not want to moist their eyes anymore by watching such a rona-dhona flick.... full review
Thumbs down, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...Heroes is a film that has its heart in the right place, but I'm still trying to locate its brain.... full review
Thumbs down, Indicine : ...Samir Karnik deserves a pat on his back for attempting something different. The director also succeeds in evoking patriotism in the hearts of the audience.... full review
Thumbs down, by Ashok Nayak, Now Running.com : ...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.... full review
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Plot Summary
It's about three soldiers who lost their lives in the Kargil war and the loss their families suffer. And yet they take pride in their loved one's bravery.
What Worked
- The reporter introducing the characters. Neat way to establish the characters.
- Kuljeet Kaur (Preity Zinta) asking Sammy and Ali to read her the letter from her husband, with the black background.
What did not
- Didn't Balkar Singh (Salman Khan) tell the reporter (Monish Behl) not to post his letter if he passes away?
- Salman Khan drawing a perfect sketch of himself.
- How does Vikram Shergill drive a car when he is paralyzed from knees-down?
- Sohail Khan crying - so not happening!
Parental Guidance:
- Violence: One fight scene
- Nudity and Sexual content: A couple of sleazy songs and scenes.
- Concept: It questions the motivation behind joining the armed forces.
- General Look and Feel: They do try to give a light feel to the intense issues involving sacrifice and heroism. You are also downed with lectures on patriotism.
![[Wikipedia page of Heroes]](/static/images/icons/wiki_small.png){kind=icon}
![[IMDB Page of Heroes]](/static/images/icons/imdb_small.png){kind=icon}
![[Preity Zinta twitter account]](/static/images/icons/twitter_small.png){kind=icon}
Comments (3)
'without giving the movie away' silvan, remember?
Thank you so much Naresh Allu!
eye candy, neha?
well the movies was refreshingly different considered the thought which went into the making of it..
but i think there was too much of pun and weeping scenes to disturb the balance of the movies it would have had otherwise..
This is one great movie review blog i have seen.. i was personally looking for one such theme to suite me :)
Thanks whacky! Keep coming...
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