The India-Pakistan conflict has thrown up yet another movie, Pukar. Remember Border, which raised memories of the 1971 war?. And then Sarfarosh, which brought the fear of the ISI close to all of us. Pukar is in the same genre.
Boney Kapoor's latest home production deals with love and danger. Anjali (Madhuri Dixit) steals a secret code from Major Jai (Anil Kapoor)'s office and gives it to a stranger, frustrated by his ignoring her in favour of Namrata Shirodkar.
It is an act of foolishness, unknowing that the number indicates the location of dreaded terrorist Abrush (Danny), held captive by the Indian army.
Out of prison, Abrush and his men go on a killing spree and decide to bomb the massive town hall on Independence Day. The Major, who has been court-martialled and deprived of his rank, saves the nation, with some help from Anjali.
Director Rajkumar Santoshi is credited with the story.
Jai and Anjali come together in the end. Alls Well That Ends Well.
The first half of the film is quick, but then there is a slow-down. The cinematography by Baba Azmi, Ashok Mehta and Santosh Sivan is very good, particularly in the song sequences. A R Rahman's tunes are memorable, particularly Que sera sera. I wonder who today would remember the original "Que sera sera" made famous in an Alfred Hitchcok thriller?
Anil Kapoor does fine in the romantic parts. Madhuri Dixit's dancing is good.
