Purnima Srivastava

Feeling of danger lurking on those kids and you could sense it all over the film, credit to the great performances by the child actors. Many of the scenes just make you feel like jumping off your seats to just go and save them. The use of symbolisms in the movie, the sheep and the falcon in the opening scene effectively builds the story and hooks the interest of its audience. Each of the child actors are incredible. They make you laugh, they make you cry, they surprise and make you sad when they portray the inner conflicts among the tribes; being a Talib or not being a Talib. Each child is a chota packet bada dhamaka! Not just this, the chemistry between the lead character played by Sanjay Dutt and the kids is beautiful, cute and sensitive. It again brings smile on your face and tears in the eyes while you watch their relationship unfold. The movie is tightly knit and keeps you at the edge with each frame. It is a roller-coaster ride of emotions. The issue is a sensitive- using children and women as Fidayeen. The fact a film on such a sensitive and brutal topic leaves you with the message of hope and faith is the winning factor of this movie. It also shows the feelings of frustration that often the development practitioners go through, their own divided perceptions within the community about the 'refugees' due to the disturbances are hard hitting. It also showcases the challenges faced by the people who want to work for the peace in the conflict ridden areas and how the humanity and people to people bonds lies at the core of the solution to these problems. Last but not the least, have heard a lot about Cricket Diplomacy, this was effective to see how sports, like cricket can be cultivated as means to solve issues of terrorism.

A perfect dose of history, fiction, mysticism and thrill.