A film for India's SUNDANCE.
Written and Directed by: Kabir Khan.
Starring: Arshad Warsi, John Abrahm.
Kabul Express starts with two men, Suhel (John Abraham) and Jai (Arshad Warsi) being dropped off a chopper on a deserted place middle of somewhere in Afghanistan. First thing they come across is a question, how to get to Taliban? They are two reporters on an assignment from India to interview Taliban. A guy in a military uniform, Khyber, sees them and calls for help. Help arrives in the form of an army tank which is the first conveyance that gives Suhel and Jai the ride to their destination. Well as per the popular saying "its about the journey". They come across things that they have not read about in news papers. Or may be they did but to have a face-to-face experience shocks them. Do they find Taliban? Do they get a chance to interview them? Well like I said its about the "journey".
Kabir Khan has penned and picturised an interesting tale. Right from the title it has interesting moments. Like the scene where they come across military men eating chocolates. This is the cinema for the changed-mind-audience of India. May be they want to see something else other than Chick Flicks and songs. This is for the Indian SUNDANCE film festival. But if you are aware of independent and experimental cinema then you are aware that being experimental doesn't necessarily make it a quality cinema. Same goes with Kabul Express. In the end it is possible to face yourself with the question that Ah Ok, so what? Because this tale has parameters that may not be seen or heard in news papers but those parameters don't create a flow.
Arshad Warsi is perhaps the only thing that keeps you glued to your seat. He may not have the best lines all the time but he delivers them honestly. His scared and disagreeable with people attitude has been performed nicely. Thanx to him.
Linda Arsenio as Jessica, another reporter but from USA, is a candy for sour eyes. She is a good actress. But I dont know what Kabir Khan was proving when there was a peek-a-boo. If I will see him I am gonna ask if that peek-a-boo was another cliche he picked up from the independant movies he saw say for instance Transamerica (2005) or Masked and Anonymous (2003). John Abraham is a mistake. He is just a model that flaunts jeans, jackets and t-shirts. Khyber and Imran Khan are good as characters. Few moments are interesting as the scene with Imran's daughter. This movie raises questions but the first one I had was how can they keep on driving for 2 days without refuelling the Kabul Express?
Kabul Express is a good attempt but don't get excited. Expectations will surely ruin your movie watching experience.
4/10.
