Source: Mid-Day
Farhan Akhtar’s much-awaited follow up to Dil Chahta Hai has taken a houseful opening across the country.
“The advance opening of Lakshya has been extraordinary in Mumbai and the rest of India, including Delhi,” says trade analyst Amod Mehra of the Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta-starrer.
“In Mumbai it is houseful for the next three days. It’s 100 per cent not only in the multiplexes but also in single-screen theatres like Chandan (Juhu) and Liberty, and in places like Kurla,” he adds. “The first 21 shows at theatres like Chandan are booked,” says the director.
So, is the film worth the hype?
The atypical war film is slickly shot, particularly the awesome battle sequences. The love story between Roshan and Zinta’s characters is handled with great finesse and leaves one with a lingering sense of poignancy. And Akhtar’s trademark subtle humour makes a comeback too.
If there is any sore point it’s that the film tends to get bogged down in the second half and could have been pruned by some minutes.
But overall, Bollywood’s wait-and-watch brigade has responded with admiration.
“It’s a very honest film without any compromises and clichés, made under extreme conditions,” says filmmaker Raj Kumar Santoshi who promptly dashed off a congratulatory note and flowers to the filmmaker. “It’s a good theme, well-told.”