Dil Se.. (1998)

I love this movie so much

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

"Dil Se" (literally 'from the heart' or 'with all my heart') is a story about a very obnoxious and obsessed Indian radio personality who sees a woman at a train station and relentlessly pursues her. He knows nothing about her--and doesn't realize that she and her family are terrorists. Yet, somehow, the film eventually have them fall in love.Perhaps I saw this movie as being very offensive due to my culture. In the US, when a man relentlessly pursues a woman who CONSTANTLY tells him and demonstrates that she's NOT interested, it's pretty clear she is not interested. However, in "Dil Se", a man becomes infatuated with a woman he doesn't know and pursues her relentlessly. And, at about the 51 minute mark, attacks her and forces himself on her--and somehow this film is supposed to be a romance?! Such a film probably couldn't be made in the States today--and even in the old days, Amarkanth's behaviors would have been seen as creepy and potentially dangerous. Because of this, I really cannot recommend the film--especially since it seems to promote dangerous pro-rape myths as well as stalking. Additionally, compared to many Indian films, the song and dance numbers are not particularly good and sound very canned. I have seen about 100 Indian films, so I am certainly no expert--but you can certainly do better than this one.

I think this movie failed on several counts: first of all, the protagonists were thoroughly unlikeable characters. I found SRK to be obsessive and creepy when it came to the girl, and completely underdeveloped when it came to his job and politics. If he was supposed to represent the opinions of mainstream India about ethnic uprisings, I have no idea what those opinions are. He was underdeveloped, and the motivations of his love interest were equally obscured.Even beyond having weak story and characterizations, this movie could have been saved by having something interesting to say. Terrorism is obviously a very multi-faceted subject, and I have no idea what this movie was trying to say about it. Something that passed for a point was quite literally blown up by melodrama in the end.What saves the movie are visuals and music. The settings are quite stunning and there are even some fine supporting performances. Obviously the music is catchy.

This is one of the greatest and most crafted works of the incredible Mani Ratnam. I was stunned by every moment of it and the very first scene was enough for me to get completely hooked. Mr Ratnam's ability to make a grandiose love story and yet keep it starkly realistic is just unbelievable. It makes the viewer believe that true, intense love does not exist only in fairy tales, but in real-life too, with simple and ordinary people. Dil Se is a rare gem of its times - authentic, hard-hitting, gripping, and deeply involving. Some people have deemed it a bit slow and tedious, but according to me the film moves at a steady pace and is totally focused, engaging and captivating.The film's concept: a young, hard-working radio broadcaster falls in love with a mysterious, strangely apathetic woman who is actually a terrorist may have been tackled before by filmmakers around the world, but none has done it the way Mr Ratnam did. He directs this feature with heart and soul and intensifies it with complete mastery, so much that you cannot leave the screen even for one moment (even if you are one of those who prefer skipping the songs). The script is grounded in tension and mystery, and it thankfully avoids sentimentality. And then we also have some genuinely real yet exceptional dialogues, which bring forth a poetic quality that eases the serious proceedings.Every artist involved in this film gives one of their best. A.R Rahman, for one, creates one of the most crafted and beautiful movie soundtracks of his career, giving so much life and essence to the film. The songs flow incredibly well with the film, they never feel unnecessary, they fit the situations, and ultimately enhance the narrative and contribute to the film's mystery and intense atmosphere. "Dil Se Re", "Jiya Jale", "Chaiyya Chaiyya" and "Satrangi Re" - each track is a gem and showcases the greatness of Rahman and Ratnam, who visualises them exceedingly well on-screen. This of course could have been done without Santosh Sivan's brilliant cinematography.The performances are top notch. This is one of Shahrukh Khan's most accomplished and realistic performances. He is intense, witty, vulnerable, believable and convincing as Amar. He portrays a suffering man who would go to any strengths for a woman he hardly knows, and though his character's unconditional love may seem peculiar, he manages to keep it real and balanced. He conveys his feelings, whether it's sorrow, love, pain or anger, in his own inimitable style, using his troubling intensity and nervous mannerisms. One can really feel for the pain in his eyes, which is evident every time he meets this woman who keeps rejecting him. A superb act.Manisha Koirala, one of the most talented dramatic actresses India has seen, is flawless as Meghna. She smiles barely once in the entire film but her expressive eyes and silence speak volumes and always do the job. It's a natural and ambiguous portrayal of a woman who has lost belief in life and love, or at least of someone who compels herself to think so. She brilliantly displays the little nuances which let us sense her constant fights with herself and her struggle to not submit to her feelings every time she faces the bright side of the world, forcefully and firmly fossilising herself for the sake of a mission which must be completed.Preity Zinta, the star herself in her debut film, does something very few actors have been capable of doing: she makes a great impact despite having a very small role. It's a great achievement for any actor to excel and make a lasting impression with a role of such minimal importance and screen time. She is natural, vibrant and very likable, commanding the audience's attention with her strong screen presence and lively persona. She's always been known for her ability to add happiness and positivity to films which are overly serious and dark, and this one is no exception. Her full of life, frank and direct Preeti is one of the most unforgettable characters in recent years.Dil Se is a socially relevant movie but it is a love story at heart and there it scores the most. It may not appeal to all kinds of audiences (in fact, it was a box office failure in India, though a success overseas), more because of its brutally honest depiction of terror and national battle, yet it remains thoroughly fascinating. The film is atmospheric, dark and deep. The only aspects that abstract the viewer from these features may be the energetic music and Preity Zinta's light character. In anyway, it is a picture of great artistic excellence, and I would recommend anyone to see it. The ending is also most unpredictable, only making it more beautiful and memorable.

I may be late to comment about this brilliant movie, but i do not want to miss the opportunity to write about my all time favorite movie. Four things go hand in hand with the movie, direction, acting, music & cinematography. Direction - no words can praise the brilliant work done by Mani. He stands apart from his contemporary. One gets a doubt whether its a social movie or a sensitive love story. A thin line separates it. Also the director is so perfect that even the minute details are taken care of ( e.g. train in chhaiya chhaiya, Preeti's wedding dress, to name some).Someone must be bold enough to touch a topic & a territory as he has done. Acting - SRK & Manisha have essayed their finest performance of their lifetime. Be it the romantic interlude or the strange encounter in station every frame is worth watching( watch out the engagement party & final encounter of Amar & Megna). Both have given their best to the character they have donned. Music - Rahman is a real genius. Sometimes u are scared. Sometimes you are taken to Ladakah. Sometimes you are fallen in love. Sometimes you pity for the couple. And most of the times you are spellbound. Rahman has crafted each and every song in a different way, you don't find any song similar to other. Listen to the title & end credits you are sure to be mesmerized. Photography - no wonder why sivan has got so many awards to his credits.Cinematography speaks for itself, be it the jungles of Assam, or the valleys of Ladhak, or the streets of Delhi. You believe what u see. Not to forget the lighting he has used. To put it overall DILSE may not be the best movie of all time, but it is one of the best movie India has produced, which one can proudly say. Watch Dilse for the fine performance of SRK & Manisha. Watch Dilse for the eye catching picturisation. Watch Dilse for its mesmerizing music. watch Dilse for the brilliant direction in an uncharted territory. Watch Dilse for its sheer excellence of the movie itself.