<html> <!--Generated by Angelfire: L00S00--> <head> <title>Pukar Movie Review</title> </head> <body bgcolor="#3cb371" text="#000000" link="#ffff00" alink="#ff0000" vlink="#90ee90"> <basefont size="3"> <!--Header--> <h1 align="center">Pukar Movie Review</h1> <!--EndHeader--> <!--List--> <font size="5"></font> <ul> </ul> <p> <!--EndList--> <!--Links--> <font size="5"></font> <p> <p> <!--EndLinks--> <!--Freetext--><center><Pukar Movie Review</center> <center><img src="pukar.jpg"></center> <b>Pukar is a prove-a-point film on the part of almost all the key players. For Raj Kumar Santoshi, director, it is an attempt to whitewash the box-office debacle of China Town, the desi Dirty Dozen that died without a whimper. For Anil Kapoor, it is one more chance to prove he excels as a solo hero does too, not just in second lead (Biwi No.1, Taal). And for Madhuri Dixit, it's a make-or-break venture to prove that marriage does not mar an actress' prospects. So who actually proves a point? Only Madhuri, a consummate actress who can create magic out of nothing at all. This time, Madhuri does have some meat to make merry with. For Anjali, the hot-tempered, emotionally charges spitfire who swears by love is a refreshing new face of the Indian heroine who has nothing better to do than hum and haw in the umpteen "Hum-Aap" films. Anjali has a mind of her own. She makes her own decisions, follows her own diktats, pursues her own dreams and is a law unto herself. But more than all this, she is so very human. Neither blacks, nor white, Just delightfully grey. Neither doll nor devil, only a scorned angel. The spitfire Anjali has her own homespun philosophy. 'Que sera sera, jo bhi hona ho ho, hum-e pyaar ka hai aasra, phir chahe jo ho', she croons and makes her priorities clear at the onset of the film. Love comes first, right and wrong later, believes the beautiful maiden who sails through the town with stars in her eyes and flowers on her bicycle carrier. Single-mindedly following the object of her desire: Major Jai (Anil Kapoor), the army hero who returns after a daring mission, only to fall in love with another girl (Namrata Shirodkar). This is the beginning of the Madhuri magic. The woman scorned virtually ends up a hell's fury, singing any and everybody who comes in the way fulfillment. So what if it is the man she loves…She can take care of him, as long as he belongs to her alone. Ironically, what should have been Darr revisited - this time from the female POV, ends up as a zipless goulash where patriotism peppers pyaar-mohabbat, but only in fits and starts. Obviously, Anil Kapoor ends up as the biggest victim, being pushed and pummeled by all and sundry. First, by the two women in his life with whom he sings songs alternately in stock sylvan surroundings. And second, by the army which brands him traitor, the terrorists who label him a patriot and the politicians who like playing ping pong. With diehard patriots of course. No, Pukar isn't a comeback call. Neither for Santoshi who is desperate to prove that Ghayal and Damini still flow within his veins. Nor for Anil, who ends up shadow boxing cardboard cutouts, despite his newfound status as a box office draw. No, Pukar isn't a feather in A.R.Rahman's cap too who suddenly dips after riding a crest with the chartbusters of Dil Se and Taal. Which leaves us with merely Madhuri, the actress who's crying for creative roles. Any takers? </b> <!--EndFreetext--> <p> </body> </html>