Veer-Zaara [Blu-ray]

Which era do these people belong to!" Rani Mukherjee exclaims about the Pakistani girl and the Indian man who live with the "idea" of love for 22 years. Old yet passionate, frail yet sublime, the estranged lovers in Yash Chopra's eagerly awaited film are no ordinary love birds. Their body language, demeanor, speech and attitude hark back to an era when emotions were hallmarks of human nature, not designer things to be used as and when required in bubblegum concoctions that masquerade as romantic musicals in our wretched times. By the time the utterly evocative theme song about two inseparable souls torn apart by fate comes on, we're so enamored of Yash Chopra's film that we surrender entirely and unquestioningly to his prescription of romantic passion. Just when we thought heart-warming tales of undying love were a dying art form, "Veer-Zaara" comes along. It is the sort of sublimely designed, delicately threaded romantic fable that comes once in a while to win hearts and influence people. After all, a film directed by Yash Chopra is no ordinary event. "Veer-Zaara" is a little more extraordinary than we expect it to be. While telling a fluent story about a love that cuts captivatingly across the India-Pakistan border, Chopra, for the first time in his romantic oeuvre, introduces ideas that transcend romance. Through the strong and very memorable character of the rookie lawyer Samiya (Rani Mukherjee), ideas on female literacy and women's empowerment seep into the narrative. Nothing about the romance between the Indian Air Force pilot and the aristocratic Pakistani girl is overstated. There are no raised voices (even when the heroine's father scolds her he does it sotto voce). There's no screaming, no attention-getting tactics...And yet the films gets it...All of our attention, though it takes a bit of time to get over the longish bits of Punjabi dialogues among Amitabh Bachchan (playing Shah Rukh's prankish old-man), Hema Malini (hopelessly out of her depth in the robust Punjabi milieu), Shah Rukh and Preity. Once the slight hiccups are done, it's as simple as falling in love. "Veer-Zaara" builds its case for the protagonists' unbreakable bonding through a neo-classical blend of song and emotion. Chopra unleashes a temperate tidal wave of feelings that swim teasingly just beneath the surface. The surge of love between two people belonging to entirely different cultures and lands is collected into a quaint and quivering collage of memory and melody. The narration moves of its own melodious volition. The music and songs by the late Madan Mohan and the profound yet simple poetry of Javed Akhtar supplement the melody of romance with enchanting articulations of heart that know not why they love and sing. They just do. Chopra has terrific help from cameraman Anil Mehta who beautifies the rugged rural landscape without making it appear fairytale-like in proportion. Shah Rukh and Preity fill the splendid rustic spaces with sounds of love. But the protagonists' geopolitical credentials never appear forced or labored. Veer and Zaara are who they are. In sequences such as the one where Veer meets Zaara's fiance (Manoj Bajpai) on the railway station, or when Zaara's mother (the brilliantly passionate Kirron Kher) implores Veer to give back her daughter for the sake of family honor, are potentially cliched situations converted into a celebration of life through the writer's imagination. The writing skills imparted to the story of 'forbidden' love are immense, and so is the performance level of the cast. Rani's deeply studied, utterly heroic part of the activist-lawyer is uplifting. Once again Shah Rukh confers his charismatic personality on a role that has many shades of emotions. His performance as the old man in the courtroom where after being absolved of all crimes he reads out a poem is rabble rousing. And those who thought Preity couldn't be rustic and earthy, better watch how she slips into Zaara's slippers, imparting a coltish seductiveness to the part. Kirron Kher, Divya Dutta and Manoj Bajpai bring tremendous feeling to the supporting parts. But the director's true allies in this creative endeavour are the photography and the music. The use of spatial harmony in the haunting climactic song "Tere liye" is a measure of Chopra's power and skills of narration. The calibre of the late Madan Mohan's music is certainly high grade. Many scenes are elevated by the quality of music. "Veer-Zaara" is a very simple story of immense nobility and idealism. Its contours are fleshed out with the most precious colors of life to complete a picture that is at once symmetrical and sublime, sweet, tender and yet secreting a core of strength and conviction that takes it beyond the conventional romantic musicals. By the way I LOVE PREITY!!! SOOO BUFF! courtesy of kzay n india-glitz

Veer spends 22 years in jail, in Pakistan to protect the reputation of the woman (Zaara) he loves. Zaara believing him to be dead, exits her marriage, her home to live in his country. At best Veer just expects to get him own name back. He is in jail as a result of revenge. Accused of being someone else who is a spy. He can prove who he is, by saying who he came to meet. But if he states her name, he may as well not have relinquished her to preserve her honor. As it hits him he is stuck, in walks his "winning" rival asking what did you expect? "I have to go through this marriage, knowing she loves someone else. And get on with the rest of my life." The experienced lawyer fighting to keep Veer in prison only cares about winning, unlike his opponent Saamiya fighting her very first case, who believes in outing the truth. Only someone who can prove his identity can ensure Veer's release from jail. Veer won't countenance the mention of Zaara's name who he believes probably by now has children, her only hope is his "parents". Saamiya travels to India, only to learn they are dead. Anguished and about to depart she hears Zaara's name being called out. Veer and Zaara reunited after 22 years both look visibly old, (except for her eyes, which look young as tears flow as she looks at him), no pretense they haven't aged. He more so. He moves slowly. The old pair sit on a bench, contrasted in the foreground by their former younger selves dancing, moving fluidly. The younger Veer picks up the younger Zaara and they exit. Point eloquently made. As they are. As they were. On the other hand had Zaara' intended not hijacked Veer from the coach, Veer would have died when the coach crashed killing all incumbents. Had Zaara's grandma not requested her ashes be scattered in India, Zaara would not have sneaked off to India to execute her dying wish. As such she would not have met Veer. 22 years later was it worth it? Their love? As they are still smitten with each other hopelessly so, what do you reckon......

I am not new to enjoying Bollywood Movies-just slightly lapsed-and enjoying them as much if not more than I used to.I have been back 'into' Bollywood for about two years having first enjoyed them when stationed on a little tiny island in The Indian Ocean-many years ago.I am very much a Romantic,SO-Bollywood Movies do it for me. VEER-ZAARA is a Classic.When I first watched it I was spellbound.I watched it from beginning to end.Sometimes I laughed,sometimes I cried.The Story has been chronicled many times so I will not repeat the storyline which has been very ably told. Shahrukh Khan-well He is Shahrukh and a Master at what He does.His performance is flawless as it has been in all his films that I have seen-In this one He Excels-Not heard of any Bollywood Actors receiving Oscars or have I missed that!! Preity Zinta-seen a few films with her in-having read The storyline I did not think that she had been well cast.Oh Boy!was I wrong.I may be incorrect but I heard that Preity was not first choice for the part!!Well whoever it was,Sorry.Preity-You were FANTASTIC!! First Film I have seen with Rani Mukerji in.She is STUNNING-she took my breath away-and still does. The Film IS a Classic.I am only sorry that it has not been dubbed!Maybe a thought for the Future as I am sure more people would watch them-ME-I don't care I will watch them anyway.

Très beau film

This movie is an instant Bollywood classic. This is like the "Titanic" of the Bollywood genre. Greater than "Slumdog Millionaire" for family entertainment. This film stars at least four very popular stars in Bollywood. Shahrukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherjee (to me, the most beautiful woman in the world), and Anapam Kher. This movie is the ultimate example of what true love is, and I mean the ultimate sacrifice to give of oneself for the happiness of another. Only stories like this can be written in India. American writers couldn't even imagine fabricating a story like this. If you see this movie, you will be hungry for more. Bollywood in Blu-Ray, and to see our favorite Hindi stars in absolute High-Definition will give us the ultimate India culture experience right on our screen. Some of the things that are important about enjoying Bollywood films are the good looking actresses and actors and their colorful fashion, and the beautiful backgrounds of India. Even, to see a section of the slums in High Definition is what getting immersed into the scene is all about. Yash Raj has many Bollywood classics, made even in just the past 15 years. I know that I would buy these classics on Blu-Ray right away: "Mohabbatein", "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai". "Saathiya", "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham", and "Kal Ho Naa Ho". Plus there are other Bollywood classics that I hope to see released onto Blu-Ray, like: "Lagaan", "Bride and Prejudice", "Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai", "Bichhoo", "Badal", and "Ghulam" and maybe a few more. But, I generally watch a Bollywood film because I love to watch good looking people on film. A good story is only secondary as my intention to be entertained. If you an English speaking American, and are new to Bollywood films, let me give you a breakdown of how I interpret and ingest the Bollywood experience: First of all, you will most always be reading English subtitles. The average Bollywood film is about 3 hours long. Bollywood films are very colorful. All their beautiful fashion, and colorful dance floors. In High Definition, just the sceneries alone make you appreciate what High Definition is all about. About 30 percent of the film will be music videos (with Yash Raj films, it's more like about 45 percent). I personally wish there were less music videos if the movie is already over three hours long. About 30 percent of most Bollywood films have some rather silly, really unfunny, and downright annoying comedy scenes (which is usually in the first half of the film), then the film will start to become more serious, as it moves along. One of the main reasons why you will watch a Bollywood film, is because you already chose to fall in love with one of their many beautiful actresses, or handsome actors. (I personally try to see all Rani Mukherji films, and Shah Rukh Khan is the one actor known to be one of the biggest box office sellers of Bollywood.) So, I guess I can honestly say that I have about 10 Blu-Ray Bollywood films which about 7 of them are Yash Raj releases. Though I have about 100 Bollywood films on DVD, all I really care to get on Blu-Ray now is "Lagaan" which was the first Bollywood film that I saw about 10 years ago. And perhaps "Mann" with Aamir Khan, and "Rangeela" which stars the enchanting Urmila Matondkar. Oh, and I guess it would be truly appreciated if "Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai" starring Amisha Patel and Hrithik Roshan would ever be released in High Definition Blu-Ray. The scenes in India and New Zealand were all just so beautiful on the screen. Another good movie that I would like to recommend, that is not a Yash Raj film, but is available on Blu-Ray is "Ghulam" starring Rani Mukherji and Aamir Khan. Even all the song videos in this film are all truly appreciated, and the added humor isn't so annoying. Check it out! Realistically, I would only replace about 20 of my Bollywood DVD's with Blu-Ray discs. And when these few films that I mentioned finally get released in High Definition Blu-Ray, then I'll celebrate the entire Blu-Ray experience that much more.

Ich liebe ja eigentlich alle Filme von Shahrukh Khan und Preity Zinta. Die Filme ,, In guten wie in schweren Tagen", ,, Lebe und denke nicht an morgen", ,,Main hoon na" , ,,Dil se" ,,Swades" und noch viele mehr. Aber dieser Film ist der absolute hammer!!!!!!!!!!! Shahrukh Khan hat bisher ja schon bewiesen wie gefühlvoll er spielen kann, aber mit diesem Film übertrifft er einfach alles! Und durch diesen Film wird man auf ewig an Bollywood und Shahrukh Khan gebunden! Der Film ist so romantisch, gefühlvoll und traurig, dass man es nicht in Worte fassen kann. Er erzählt von einer wahren Liebe die nicht größer sein könnte und stellt selbst die Liebesstory Romio u. Julia in den Schatten. Die Story an sich möchte ich an dieser Stelle nicht erzählen, weil dies in den anderen Bewertungen schon erzählt wird. Ich kann aber nur jeden empfehlen diesen Film zu gucken, dann weiß man was die Worte ,,Wahre Liebe" wirklich bedeuten. Das macht einen einerseits sehr glücklich, andrerseits aber auch sehr traurig, weil es soetwas im wahren Leben leider nicht gibt, und wenn doch, ist es sehr selten. Aber dieser Film ist für alle Shahrukh Khan und Preity Zinta Fans ein absolutes muß und nach meinem Geschmack der bis jetzt schönste Film den es je gab! Ach und nicht vergessen schon beim Einschlaten die Taschentücher bereit zu legen, denn die Tränen werden kullern wie sie bisher noch nie gekullert sind. Ich grüße alle Bollywoodfans und viel Spaß beim Eintauchen in der wohl größten Liebesgeschichte aller Zeiten!!!

Veer Zaara is my FAVORITE Bollywood movie! Its a touching film about the true meaning of love, and its sacrifices -- whether one is willing to only look out for themselves & their own needs, or be willing to give up what matters most for the best interests of the one they love. Even though my parents are from India, my brother and I didn't watch many Hindi/Bollywood movies growing up. At home, my family either spoke English or Konkani (an Indo-Aryan language belonging to the Indo-European family of languages spoken on the western coast of India as well as the official language of the state of Goa, and a minority language in the state of Karnataka and northern Kerala) so with the exception of the sporadic Hindi classes we took as children, we did not have much experience with Hindi. Because we understand very little (just a few random words, phrases, etc.) of Hindi, and subtitles were not available on the VHS tapes, we had to rely on our mom for translation of the dialogue. Though I'm sure she tried her best, what would inevitably happen is that while she was translating one segment of conversation, she would miss the next one, so there would be huge gaps in the translation, and often essential dialogue would deliberately (if she didn't want to translate something, thinking we weren't old enough to hear it) or accidently left out. So we had to figure out the story from the pictures and inconsistent & incomplete translations. As a result, we didn't watch many Bollywood movies growing up (the only Hindi movies I saw in childhood & adolescence were Gopal Krishna , Masoom , Ramayana , Mahabharat , and a couple/few others) I can count on one hand (with a couple of extra fingers!) or maybe two hands at the most, the number of Hindi movies I saw as a child. But since the advent of DVDs, and Youtube, and online movie streaming, I've started watching a lot more Bollywood (and other genre) movies with English subtitles and I've been REALLY enjoying it! I LOVE BOLLYWOOD movies! Out of all the Bollywood movies that I've now seen (at least a few dozen) "Veer Zaara" is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE movie! Veer-Zaara is a poignant film about the sacrifices of true love, and stars Shahrukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherjee, with supporting roles by Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Kirron Kher, Manoj Bajpai, and Boman Irani. SPOILERS AHEAD!!! Squadron Leader Veer Pratap Singh (Shahrukh Khan) is a rescue pilot with the Indian Air Force, an orphan who was raised by his aunt & uncle (with Hema Malini, and Amitabh Bachchan in guest-starring roles) and as a child dreamed of flying, and following the legacy of his father (who died in service to the country). Capt Veer Pratap Singh is living his dream as a rescue pilot when he is called to assist at the scene of a bus accident, and he meets Zaara Hayaat Khan (Preity Zinta), a naive young Pakistani girl who is traveling alone from Lahore, Pakistan to the holy Sikh city of Kiritpur in India, to scatter the ashes of "Bebe", her beloved Sikh nanny, and fulfill her dying wish. Veer saves Zaara's life, and after a whirlwind friendship & romance, neither of their lives is ever the same again. Twenty-two years later (set in the present-day -- 2004 at the time) an idealistic young lawyer Saamiya Siddiqui (Rani Mukherjee) who is working for the Human Rights Commission, trying to fill the large footprints of her late father (also a defender of human rights) gets her first case, and comes face-to-face with an aging Veer Pratap Singh. He has been rotting away in a prison cell in Lahore, Pakistan for the past 22 years, labeled as an Indian spy, Rajesh Rathod. But because Veer Singh "remained silent" since his arrest over two decades earlier, never speaking to anyone (even during his years of incarceration) no one (like other lawyers) was able to defend him. But now, the case of Veer Pratap Singh has been re-opened by the Pakistani Government, and as Saamiya is assigned to be his defense attorney, she needs to unearth the TRUE reason why Veer Pratap Singh is behind bars. Though reluctant to speak, at first, eventually Veer opens up to Saamiya, and his story tumbles out (in flashback scenes) of how he met Zaara, their whirlwind friendship & romance, and their falling in love and all that happened afterward -- a story of love, duty, courage and the sacrifices of true love. Veer Zara is not an ordinary story -- it is a LOVE LEGEND! Veer and Zaara's love legend! This is a saga of love, separation, courage and sacrifice. A love that is divine, a love that is whole-hearted, a love that is completely consuming, a love that grows with separation & deepens with sacrifice. A love that is an inspiration.....and will remain a legend forever! A BEAUTIFUL movie in every way!!! ☆★☆★☆ 5 STARS!!!!!!!!!!!

J'ai adoré ce film . Shahrukh Khan est excellent. J'ai pleuré. Une belle histoire.