Kathmandu

You don’t know what to expect from Phantom though you have an idea that the film is based on the book Mumbai Avengers by Hussain Zaidi, and of course, the director is Kabir Khan, the one who gave one of the biggest blockbusters of the year so far — Bhajrangi Bhaijaan.

Khan has given some impressive films like New York.  Being a documentary film-maker in his initial days, perhaps this comes  naturally to him. Somehow there is a hint of melodrama in his films,  but that doesn’t seem to be a glitch. He captures the emotions so  beautifully that your focus is only on the bigger picture. And there is  no stalling, the screenplay flows leading to an engrossed audience. Phantom reflects all these.

The  story is post November 26 Mumbai attack after the terrorists cast a  horrid spell and leave with ease. The film is about avenging this; so  three RAW agents plan an off-the-record mission. To complete this  mission Daniyal Khan (Saif Ali Khan), a former army officer is chosen.

Daniyal agrees to this only to restore his lost glory in the army.  Helping him in the first task, identifying one of the terrorists, is  Nawaz (Katrina Kaif), a former RAW agent, who has no idea what she is  getting into. When she finds out, she makes a choice. There is no turning  back for them thereon.

Getting bored is out of question while watching Phantom  as the thrill is alive, yet there are times when you feel ‘what just  happened?’ But because of the good screenplay, you won’t be in the dark for too  long — there is logic to everything, almost. Every element from  patriotism to sentimental value to a tad bit of humour to action... everything is there,  but it doesn’t get a wow; good is what it deserves.

Having said this,  the action scenes are impressive especially the first one — the car chase  sequence. It’s the same with the sets, especially the one in Syria — the  set-up of the refugee camp is so realistic that during the shooting of  the

film the Lebanese army inspected the area.

For all this to be worthwhile, acting plays a crucial role. Saif lives up to it. After Omkara’s  Langra Tyagi, the bar has been raised, and he does not disappoint. He  is fierce, desperate, and focused, just how the character needs to be.

He makes Daniyal and his struggle real. Kaif is not impressive — as a  former RAW agent she seems sloppy and her emotions somehow is not felt.

Like when Nawaz shares her attachment to Taj and how the attack changed  everything, it’s more like she is reading the script. But labelling her acting  bad won’t be fair — a scene when she keeps mum and expresses grief  through her expressions and eyes say ‘there is perhaps something about  her’.

Every actor in the film gives the story a realistic touch as a  terrorist, as a mother who lost her child, as a young boy whose only  dream is to marry the love of his life... the background score adds to it.  As for songs, there aren’t many, but Saware will mesmerise you.

This  will not just be considered a film. It has already been banned in  Pakistan, more controversy perhaps will follow because it does make you  wonder: 'What if the story were true?'

Phantom

Genre:  Action, Drama, Thriller

Director: Kabir Khan

Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Katrina Kaif, Rajesh Tailang, Mohammed

Zeeshan Ayyub