Love that knows no barriers
Rama Sharma

Divali has more fireworks this time. Veer Zaara directed by Yash Chopra, his first film in seven years, promises to rejuvenate Hindi cinema. The film celebrates love that soars beyond all barriers and in doing so brings back memories of ledgendary lovers like Heer-Ranjha, Sassi-Pannu and Sohni-Mahiwal.

Recreating history, he takes us back to us the Madan Mohan-Lata Mangeshkar era. With a refined soundtrack and Shah Rukh Khan playing what is claimed to be the best role of his career, the movie is set to tickle the viewers palate. And we cannot ask for more.

It brings to us unused music tunes composed by late Madan Mohan. Lata has sung nine songs composed by him, 30 years after he passed away. Interestingly, Yash Chopra had never worked with Madan Mohan when he was alive.

Punjab’s culture and folklore are highlighted in the movie’s 11 songs which include a qawwali.

The India-Pakistan border has proved to be a frequent source inspiration for script writers. Many Hindi movies based on the India-Pakistan theme, including the recent Shah Rukh Khan starred Main Hoon Na, have come but this one promises to be different.

Shah Rukh plays Veera who is desperately in love with a Pakistani woman, Zaara, played by Preity Zinta. Preity is charming in a very traditional and subdued way, promising to give us some respite from semi-clad heroines. Rani Mukherjee plays a lawyer who attempts to remove the obstacles in the path of the lovers. She forcefully asserts the fact that lovers cannot be separated by manmade boundaries.

Mainly shot in Punjab, the movie brings centrestage the never-say-die spirit of the Punjabis who are capable of spreading warmth and love howsoever trying the circumstances.

Shah Rukh fans have a lot to look forward to on Divali this time. And they have all the more reason to do so in the in light of Yash Chopra statement that Veer Zaara was one of the most difficult film he has ever made.

HOME