Kabul Express

After having watched Kabul Express I must admit I was torn between several emotions;

humour, satisfaction and enlightenment. Everything that I had heard and read about the conflict in Afghanistan and the Taliban atrocities were from the point of view of the media. What the media told me, I believed. Simple.

Kabul Express has taught me what had happened to the people in Afghanistan. How the Taliban had controlled and dictated their lives. How the so called, 'American assistance' further fueled the destruction of the land. And how their friendly Pakistani neighbors quickly
changed allegiance to the US. The aftermath of the conflict is devastating to watch. Human suffering is dominant and the retaliation by the Afghani people against the Talibans is justified, though horrific to watch. A scene in the film shows a group of Afghani villagers
beating two Talibans to death. All the suffering that they had been subjected to during the reign of the Talibans is being brought to the surface. All the pent up hate is being showered upon the two defenseless Talibans.

Kabul Express follows Suhel (John Abraham) and Jay (Arshad Warsi) as they travel through Afghanistan with their trustee guide, Khyber (Hanif Hum Ghum) to find the most highly anticipated story, an interview with a Taliban. Their journey takes them through the beautiful terrains of Afghanistan, allowing viewers to see what is now left of the beauty that
once was.

Their adventure eventually leads them to being kidnapped by a Taliban, Imran (Salman Shahid) and being forced to drive to the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the Taliban can return home to safety. Along the way they encounter the feisty American journalist Jessica (Linda Arsenio) and the journey of Kabul Express begins.

Kabul Express is a great story. The interaction between the Indians, the Afghani, the American and the Pakistani make for great watching. It is amazing that little things like cricket, coke and pepsi are common threads that bind us together worldwide. Everyday things like cricket, coke and Pepsi which we take for granted in the western world can cross
cultural and language barriers. A humorous exchange between the Taliban and Jay is a worthwhile watch. A tense situation is made light-hearted by the two bantering about the best cricketer in the world.

Kabir Khan, traditionally a documentary maker has taken his first foray in to the world of Bollywood. Kabul Express not only aims to entertain viewers through humour but also inform viewers of the truth, what ever that may be. The film, unlike other Bollywood extravaganzas hosts no song and dance sequences; instead it uses John Abraham as the main
drawcard for audiences. The film is made for a select audience and the mainstream viewers may find the film a little too westernized, especially with the broad use of English throughout the film.

The cinematography is incredible! The film alone can be seen for this alone. The characters, especially those of Arshad Warsi and Salman Shahid are very memorable. These characters were well developed and the interaction between the two is an entertaining watch. It was
disappointing to see that John Abraham, who played an outstanding role in, 'Water' wasn't given the chance to fully exercise his theatrical abilities. There were a few moments in the film that he gained credibility. Linda Arsenio was an average watch and Hanif Hum Ghum
(driver, Khyber) did a fine job as an Afghani.

Overall, I would rate the film 4/5. I feel that the film is for a select audience but if you really want to see another perspective on post 9/11 Afghanistan, then Kabul Express is the way to go. A note of warning, there is a little anti-Pakistani feel in the film. Just remember, this is only a film and not a documentary.