Kya Dilli Kya Lahore

wogma rating: Add to 'must watch' list ^(?)

quick review:

A neat little film with large intentions. Give it a go for a rare, decent war film.

Director: Vijay Raaz

Cast: Vijay Raaz, Manu Rishi

Running time: 100 minutes

Genres: Politics, Social, War

More Movie Info

Hindi war films are a rarity. Well-made ones even more so. Kya Dilli Kya Lahore is a welcome change just for that. To top it off it is a more-or-less two man act and yet, manages to engage you through the 100-minute run-time.

Both sides of a dusty, rugged section of the India-Pakistan border find themselves with one soldier each. Interestingly, both the soldiers belonged to the other side before partition. It is easy to understand why their allegiance is confused. You empathize that they are put in such a situation at all. You, in fact, find yourself changing sides for both seem like protagonists and you could take either side as the film moves from one mini-event to another.

Kya Dilli Kya Lahore doesn't move much. Not only in its physical space or the time (it is set over a period of about 24 hours), but also in terms of what actually happens in the film. The movement is in emotions rather than events. This gives the film fluidity which feels so different from the episodic nature of many a Hindi film.

Given these circumstances, the film does run the risk of becoming repetitive. After all, there are only so many ways in which an Indian and a Pakistani (even if they are newly so) can sling mud at each other. Unfortunately, Kya Dilli Kya Lahore does fall prey to that. But, the pace is such that it gets itself out soon enough.

Also, characters go through a back and forth in emotions which is believable but could have very easily gotten iterative, but for the brilliant performances by Vijay Raaz and Manu Rishi. From the word go their act seems so effortless and natural that you take it for granted. I caught myself thinking of it as a performance only when I deliberately focused on it. Till then and immediately after it was a given.

Kya Dilli Kya Lahore is not only well-shot, but is also almost background score less - which again is a rarity in Hindi cinema. With only frog croaks and the sound of the wind in the background at many times, when the songs blare (most likely to break monotony) it is jarring.

Other than that, the film brings about the vanity of war and the impact of macro level decisions made by politicians on the common man soldier just about well - with a tinge of dark comedy too. It could be called cliché too, but every once in a while cliché works.

The last Hindi war film we saw was, War Chhod Na Yaar and it was well, not too good. Kya Dilli Kya Lahore is not only well-intentioned it is well made too. Certainly worth the 100 minutes.

- meeta, a part of the audience

26 reviewers^(?) - 11 yays 10 so-so 5 nays

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up, by Suparna Sharma, Deccan Chronicle : ...This lilt, this delicate thread of past wrapped in a blank verse is very Gulzar-esque. He opens the film reciting a poem about lakerein (lines, borders). It sets the tone of the film and Raaz’s direction keeps it in that zone. ... full review

Thumbs up, by aneela.zeb.b, Desi Martini : ...Well when the big bucks of Ponty Chadha and Gulzar's poetry get together, we are in for a treat. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Rachit Gupta, Filmfare : ...Raaz’s and Rishi’s performances are fantastic. And Raaz’s direction too is sincere. Don’t mistake this for another No Man’s Land. It’s not as sweeping as the subject could’ve been. But it’s a straight from the heart satire. Well worth the watch.... full review

Thumbs up, by Suprateek Chatterjee, FirstPost : ...Kya Dilli… deserves to be watched, but the filmed version is still a gem that needed a little more polish. The producer, Karan Arora, would do well to think about backing a stage adaptation of the same story and touring the country with the same cast. All he needs to do is fire Shandilya.... full review

Thumbs up, by Saurabh Dwivedi, india today : ...Infact, when there aren't any dialogues in the movie, the scene just becomes even more effective. There's something about the film that reminds you of the Bosnian Oscar winner 'No Man's Land' ... full review

Thumbs up, by Divya Solgama, MoviezADDA : ...Well, this movie has plenty of heart touching moments with fantastic performances by its lead protagonist. It does seem a bit repetitive and slow in some portions and might not appeal to masala film loving audiences. Nevertheless, if you love simple feel good films, then you will not mind these minor hurdles in this heartfelt human tale of two warring countries.... full review

Thumbs up, by Rahul Desai, Mumbai Mirror : ...Raj Zutshi and Vishwajeet Pradhan are necessary instruments to bring across a universal message of humanity in a film that shouldn't have been structured around an interval or a jarring background score. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Subhash K. Jha, NDTV : ... Vijay Raaz seldom lets down a film. Here, he takes on the added responsibility of direction. He keeps the proceedings even-paced and free of techno-generated upheavals. The two actors are mostly left to their own devices. The end-result is a film of tremendous warmth and wisdom.... full review

Thumbs up, by Noyon Jyoti Parasara, Now Running.com : ...And finally, the claps for Gulzar - his poetry sets the tone for the film even before it takes off. Lakeerein hai toh rehne do... Do yourself a favour. Buy a ticket for this one!... full review

Thumbs up, by Somdatta Sen, Star Blockbuster : ... Mandir masjid girja ghar ne baat diyan bhagwan ko, dharti baanti, sagar baanta kya baant sake insane ko? I stayed with this thought. if you wish to share the same give it a watch.... full review

Thumbs up, by Madhureeta Mukherjee, Times of India : ...One of the finest things about 'KDKL' is Gulzar's poetic prologue. Without the usual trappings of filmi fanfare, this story has its heart in the right place - pure and undivided. Like pre-partition brotherhood.... full review

So-So, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...Anyway those forgettable times are now history and the borders are still there, consolidating our mutual existence as two neighboring countries only……………….and that's what makes a blessed poet write, ... full review

So-So, Bollywood Hungama : ...On the whole, KYA DILLI KYA LAHORE is a one-time watch mainly for its offbeat storyline. ... full review

So-So, by SOMESH SINHA, Desi Martini : ...Give this one a shot for the honest attempt if you are a connoisseur of meaningful cinema! ... full review

So-So, by Kritika Deval , fullhyd.com : ...The music blends well into the plot. The camera work is magnificent for the most part. The editing could've been a tad tighter.... full review

So-So, by Divya Pal, IBN Live : ... At close to two hours, 'Kya Dilli Kya Lahore' is slow paced and might not interest those who want lots of action and love roller coaster ride through the story. ... full review

So-So, by Mohar Basu, koimoi : ...Kya Dilli Kya Lahore portrays quite an emphatic picture of how war and hostility doesn’t benefit anyone. Human beings pitted against each other, brainwashed by ‘nationalistic’ sentiments are afterall people facing similar dilemmas and issues. Raaz and Rishi play a fantastic duo whose affinity remains the film’s best part. As a filmmaker, Raaz doesn’t quite do justice to the tapestry of the film he had in mind but creates a decent watch... full review

So-So, by Shubha Shetty-Saha, MiD DAY : ...The setting is right, so is the intention. But alas, the film doesn’t really go anywhere, and that’s a pity. ... full review

So-So, by Joginder Tuteja, Movie Talkies : ...Amongst performers, both Vijay Raaz and Manu Rishi are excellent and complement each other really well. Within first 10 minutes of the film itself, you see them as a Pakistani and Indian soldier with their varied background. - See more at: http://www.movietalkies.com/movies/reviews/20824/kya-dilli-kya-lahore#sthash.EuJzm5cj.dpuf... full review

So-So, by Sukanya Verma., Rediff : ...At close to two hours, 'Kya Dilli Kya Lahore' is slow paced and might not interest those who want lots of action and love roller coaster ride through the story. ... full review

So-So, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...In the end the film urges people to have a ‘dimag mein dil’ (heart in the mind). Easier said than done, but not entirely impossible. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Tushar Joshi, DNA : ... With a better script and a better storyline the film would have been able to make a better impression.... full review

Thumbs down, by Johnson Thomas, Free Press Journal : ...The anti-war theme, the short runtime, the stagey enactment of convenient brotherhood makes for a febrile enchantment. But the lack of depth and tension, poor exposition and development leave you disappointed as well!... full review

Thumbs down, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...Vijay Raaz makes his directorial debut with this movie and while his intent of getting behind the steering wheel of an off-beat film needs to be applauded, his content and execution needs questioning... full review

Thumbs down, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...Zutshi and Pradhan are ciphers but they are on briefly. Most of the screen time is split between Raaz and Rishi. They are both watchable, but single-tone. And that’s because the plot is so thin. This film could have been more.... full review

Thumbs down, by ANUJ KUMAR, The Hindu : ...Vijay is honest in his effort as an actor and with Manu manages to hit some right notes but as a director it turns out to be a laboured attempt. ... full review

16 tweeters^(?) - 13 yays 2 so-so 1 nays

watchorder: Kya Dilli Kya Lahore review: An unpolished gem, definitely worth a watch: The Indian soldier, Samarth Pratap (... http://t.co/NrlphsdlyN

vinaybaldev: Kya Dilli Kya Lahore must watch film of 2014.

TheFraudMallu: Kya Dilli. Kya Lahore. #MustWatch

snehavachhaney: MUST watch Kya Dilli Kya Lahore. Beautiful performances by Vijay Raaz and Raj Zutshi and a very well made movie. Great cinema.

seoanushka: Kya Dilli Kya Lahore Movie Review: Poetic And Heart Touching | @scoopit http://www.scoop.it/t/bollywood-movies-news/p/4020622816/2014/05/02/kya-dilli-kya-lahore-movie-review-poetic-and-heart-touching

SanjivaSahai: Latest Movie in Town: KYA DILLI KYA LAHORE ★★★★ No evaluation, no critique on this labour of love. I loved it. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=720705091315463

nikhiljain_09: kya dilli kya lahore.. what a movie! respect. best ive seen in recent times!

manusmriti: Watched Kya Dilli Kya Lahore. Loved it!!

KaranKaila: Kya Dilli Kya Lahore is a great movie! The common man's plight during the 1948 Indo-Pak war but completely unconventional than the usual!

Inglorious_Blue: Kya dilli Kya Lahore an absolute gem of a movie , Definitely worth a watch. #kyadillikyalahore

hnavlakha: Kya dilli kya lahore movie review 2014 Rating 3.5/5 There's something to be said about a film that takes so... https://www.facebook.com/worldofcinemas1/posts/233911013464419

dinesh_diwakar: hum to muskara rahe the unhe dekhkar, do ashq kambakht raaz beparda kar gaye. kya dilli kya lahore is so emotionl n heart touchg film

bksamrat: All a movie is supposed to do is to hold on to attention of audience entirely.. kya dilli kya lahore does it perfecty..#kdkl #bollywood

sanjaynigamKIT: Actor Vijay Raaz makes debut as Director with Kya Dilli Kya Lahore Small Budget, Good Subject film is worth seen 3/5 http://twitter.com/sanjaynigamKIT/status/461925666242297857/photo/1

LokmatAnuj: #kya dilli kya Lahore. A serious film about very serious viewers. #Vijay raaz good as an actor. Not good as director

SandeepPpatel1: follows the above template and almost singlehandedly ruins Vijay Raaz's directorial debut Kya Dilli Kya Lahore.

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This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Parental Guidance:

Violence: It's a war film, so lots of gun shots.
Language: Lots of abusive language used.
Nudity & Sexual content: None.
Concept: The futility of war.
General Look and Feel: Dusty, grim.

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

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