Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 stars"I, Prisoner Number 786, look thru the bars of the jail..."
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2009
I loved the opening sequence to this one, which is a twist on the typical Bollywood musical number. Somewhere, on a field of flowers, a young Hindustani sings a romantic song which climaxes with him and a girl running towards each other's arms. But then a gunshot rings out, and the girl quietly crumbles to the ground. And the young Hindustani, now much older, wakes up from his dream, wakes up to find himself still imprisoned. Nice twist.
The incarcerated man is Veer Pratap Singh (Shahrukh Khan), who used to be a squadron leader and rescue pilot for the Indian Air Force. For reasons yet unknown to the audience, he has languished in a Pakistani prison cell for 22 years, designated numerally as Prisoner #786. For 22 years, he has served out his sentence in utter silence. But, now, into his life enters Saamiya Siddiqui, a young Pakistani lawyer (Rani Mukerji) on her first case. The odds are stacked against Saamiya as absolutely no one wants her to succeed in her profession. She takes on Veer Pratap Singh's case, anyway. And she does what no one else has been able to do, which is coax Veer into a conversation. Slowly, torturously, he begins to tell her of his life and of his one great love, Zaara. And, so, the flashbacks roll.
"Just for two moments, the caravans of our dreams made a stop. And then you went your way and I went mine." Lyrics, beautiful and poetic, from one of the many fabulous songs in this film ("Do Pal"), and the vivid imagery evoked thru the same. Would you care for an epic love story? Maybe take a break from the grind and for a bit of time wallow with your head in the clouds? Yash Chopra's VEER-ZAARA is an opus of a thing, coming out in 2004 and featuring dazzling performances by an all-star cast and a delirious, sweeping romance.
Set in the backdrop of the always contentious Indian-Pakistani conflict, VEER-ZAARA, predominantly in flashbacks, tells the star-crossed story of Veer Pratap Singh and his Pakistani love Zaara Hayaat Khan (Preity Zinta). Differing nationalities aside, Zaara also happens to be the daughter of an eminent politician. And Zaara is very much engaged, this arranged marriage intended to unite two influential political families. It just was never meant to be for Veer and Zaara, no matter how much they love each other. And, then, to save the honor of the girl he loves, Veer Pratap Singh willingly goes to prison, unjustly accused as a spy. Until, 22 years later, his lawyer Saamiya appears out of the blue to fight tooth and nail for his freedom.
While it's undeniable that his films with Kajol put Shahrukh Khan on the map, his works with Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta have kept him on top. Both Rani and Preity are here, and they are both terrific (in fact, the whole cast is terrific). Shahrukh Khan, as usual, towers above everyone, compelling as ever, the embodiment of a movie star. While very good in the flashback sequences, Shahrukh really shines as the 22-years-older Veer Pratap Singh, with trembling hands and a weary demeanor, forlornly fingering a cherished anklet. Shahrukh, when not being the over-the-top Shahrukh, can be amazingly effective when he chooses to be more restrained in his acting (check out Swades or Chak De India DVD). Here, he is simply marvelous, and don't be at all surprised if the emotional speech he delivers in the courtroom near the end puts a lump in the throat.
VEER-ZAARA is a loooong movie, running a smidgen over three hours. But it's very much worth watching and experiencing. The film makes you buy into the mushy stuff, things like the haunting poetry caught in a song, the sheer courage of a sacrifice made unbeknownst, the weight of shattered hopes and dreams channeled on a bauble, as well as treasured clung-to memories lavished on the same. VEER-ZAARA, to spoiler things a bit, tells not of a love spurned or denied, but of a love simply put on hold. This is a very lyrical film, with magnificent cinematography showing off the beauty of India's landscape. There are many fabulous songs here, with seriously extravagant production values on the musical numbers (my favorite is the celebratory "Lodi"). And I haven't even mentioned that the great Amitabh Bachchan has a wonderful supporting role. And, lastly, if you enjoy courtroom dramas, the last 45 minutes or so of this film centers on the unproven Saamiya attempting to exonerate Veer in court, as she goes up against the powerhouse law firm which used to employ her. So, yes, it's also very much an underdog story.
A beautiful film.
2004 film directed by Yash Chopra
edit
Veer-Zaara | 2004 film directed by Yash Chopra |
Statements
instance of
film
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
English Wikipedia
title
वीर-ज़ारा (Hindi)
transliteration
Vīr-Zārā
0 references
genre
musical film
3 references
reference URL
//stopklatka.pl/film/veer-zaara
retrieved
9 April 2016
archive URL
//web.archive.org/web/20160804171135///stopklatka.pl/film/veer-zaara
archive date
4 August 2016
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.metacritic.com/movie/veer-zaara
retrieved
9 April 2016
romance film
4 references
reference URL
//www.filmaffinity.com/en/film925191.html
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.metacritic.com/movie/veer-zaara
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=58522.html
retrieved
9 April 2016
drama film
1 reference
inferred from
Category:Indian drama films
retrieved
27 May 2019
imported from Wikimedia project
French Wikipedia
Polish Wikipedia
Swedish Wikipedia
performer
Madan Mohan
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
English Wikipedia
Wikimedia import URL
//en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Veer-Zaara&oldid=1003312231
country of origin
India
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
French Wikipedia
original language of film or TV show
Hindi
4 references
imported from Wikimedia project
Persian Wikipedia
reference URL
//www.einthusan.com/movies/watch.php?id=571
reference URL
//www.filmibeat.com/celebs/shahrukh-khan/filmography.html
reference URL
//www.filmibeat.com/celebs/amitabh-bachchan/filmography.html
publication date
12 November 2004
5 references
reference URL
//www.filmibeat.com/bollywood/movies/veer-zaara/cast-crew.html
reference URL
//www.filmibeat.com/bollywood/movies/veer-zaara/fan-photos.html
reference URL
//www.filmibeat.com/bollywood/movies/veer-zaara/story.html
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.metacritic.com/movie/veer-zaara
retrieved
9 April 2016
2 June 2005
place of publication
Germany
1 reference
reference URL
//www.kinokalender.com/film5196_veer-zaara.html
retrieved
27 December 2017
director
Yash Chopra
6 references
imported from Wikimedia project
English Wikipedia
reference URL
//stopklatka.pl/film/veer-zaara
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.filmaffinity.com/en/film925191.html
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.ofdb.de/film/65411,Veer-&-Zaara---Die-Legende-einer-Liebe
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=58522.html
retrieved
9 April 2016
screenwriter
Aditya Chopra
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
English Wikipedia
cast member
Shah Rukh Khan
7 references
imported from Wikimedia project
English Wikipedia
reference URL
//stopklatka.pl/film/veer-zaara
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/fullcredits
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.filmaffinity.com/en/film925191.html
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.metacritic.com/movie/veer-zaara
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.ofdb.de/film/65411,Veer-&-Zaara---Die-Legende-einer-Liebe
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=58522.html
retrieved
9 April 2016
Preity Zinta
6 references
imported from Wikimedia project
English Wikipedia
reference URL
//stopklatka.pl/film/veer-zaara
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/fullcredits
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.metacritic.com/movie/veer-zaara
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.ofdb.de/film/65411,Veer-&-Zaara---Die-Legende-einer-Liebe
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=58522.html
retrieved
9 April 2016
Rani Mukherjee
6 references
imported from Wikimedia project
English Wikipedia
reference URL
//stopklatka.pl/film/veer-zaara
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/fullcredits
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.metacritic.com/movie/veer-zaara
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.ofdb.de/film/65411,Veer-&-Zaara---Die-Legende-einer-Liebe
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=58522.html
retrieved
9 April 2016
Manoj Bajpai
3 references
imported from Wikimedia project
English Wikipedia
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/fullcredits
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.ofdb.de/film/65411,Veer-&-Zaara---Die-Legende-einer-Liebe
retrieved
9 April 2016
Amitabh Bachchan
3 references
imported from Wikimedia project
French Wikipedia
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/fullcredits
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.ofdb.de/film/65411,Veer-&-Zaara---Die-Legende-einer-Liebe
retrieved
9 April 2016
Anupam Kher
3 references
imported from Wikimedia project
French Wikipedia
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/fullcredits
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.ofdb.de/film/65411,Veer-&-Zaara---Die-Legende-einer-Liebe
retrieved
9 April 2016
Boman Irani
3 references
imported from Wikimedia project
French Wikipedia
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/fullcredits
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.ofdb.de/film/65411,Veer-&-Zaara---Die-Legende-einer-Liebe
retrieved
9 April 2016
Hema Malini
3 references
imported from Wikimedia project
French Wikipedia
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/fullcredits
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.ofdb.de/film/65411,Veer-&-Zaara---Die-Legende-einer-Liebe
retrieved
9 April 2016
Kirron Kher
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
French Wikipedia
Rajesh Jolly
1 reference
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/fullcredits
retrieved
9 April 2016
Gurdas Maan
0 references
Tom Alter
1 reference
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/fullcredits
retrieved
9 April 2016
S M Zaheer
0 references
Arun Bali
1 reference
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/fullcredits
retrieved
9 April 2016
Akhilendra Mishra
1 reference
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/fullcredits
retrieved
9 April 2016
Yash Chopra
1 reference
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/fullcredits
retrieved
9 April 2016
Divya Dutta
2 references
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/fullcredits
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.ofdb.de/film/65411,Veer-&-Zaara---Die-Legende-einer-Liebe
retrieved
9 April 2016
Zohra Sehgal
2 references
reference URL
//www.imdb.com/title/tt0420332/fullcredits
retrieved
9 April 2016
reference URL
//www.ofdb.de/film/65411,Veer-&-Zaara---Die-Legende-einer-Liebe
retrieved
9 April 2016
director of photography
Anil Mehta
2 references
imported from Wikimedia project
English Wikipedia
reference URL
//www.cinematographers.nl/PaginasDoPh/mehta-anil.htm
composer
Madan Mohan
0 references
producer
Yash Chopra
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
English Wikipedia
Aditya Chopra
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
English Wikipedia
production company
Yash Raj Films
0 references
distributed by
Yash Raj Films
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
English Wikipedia
Netflix
1 reference
inferred from
Netflix
Wikimedia import URL
//www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106819#P1874
//www.wikidata.org/wiki/Property:P1874#P2302
narrative location
Punjab
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
English Wikipedia
duration
190 minute
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
German Wikipedia
aspect ratio (W:H)
2.35:1
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
Italian Wikipedia
color
color
0 references
review score
92%
review score by
Rotten Tomatoes
number of reviews/ratings
12 critic review
point in time
5 October 2021
determination method
Tomatometer score
1 reference
stated in
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes ID
m/veer_zaara
title
Veer-Zaara (English)
retrieved
5 October 2021
7.8/10
review score by
Rotten Tomatoes
point in time
5 October 2021
determination method
Rotten Tomatoes average rating
1 reference
stated in
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes ID
m/veer_zaara
title
Veer-Zaara (English)
retrieved
5 October 2021
award received
National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
point in time
2004
winner
Yash Chopra
Yash Raj Films
0 references
Zee Cine Award for Best Film
point in time
2005
winner
Yash Chopra
Aditya Chopra
0 references
Filmfare Award for Best Film
point in time
2005
winner
Aditya Chopra
Yash Chopra
0 references
Zee Cine Award for Best Director
point in time
2005
winner
Yash Chopra
0 references
Screen Award for Jodi No. 1
point in time
2005
winner
Shah Rukh Khan
0 references
Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Female
point in time
2005
winner
Divya Dutta
0 references
IIFA Award for Best Music Director
point in time
2005
winner
Madan Mohan
0 references
Screen Award for Best Actor
point in time
2005
winner
Shah Rukh Khan
0 references
Filmfare Award for Best Story
point in time
2005
winner
Aditya Chopra
0 references
Bollywood Movie Award – Best Film
point in time
2005
winner
Yash Chopra
0 references
IIFA Award for Best Movie
point in time
2005
winner
Yash Raj Films
0 references
Bollywood Movie Award – Best Music Director
point in time
2005
winner
Madan Mohan
0 references
Bollywood Movie Award – Best Story
point in time
2005
winner
Aditya Chopra
0 references
Bollywood Movie Award – Best Actor
point in time
2005
winner
Shah Rukh Khan
0 references
Stardust Award for Best Supporting Actress
point in time
2005
winner
Kirron Kher
0 references
IIFA Award for Best Makeup
point in time
2005
0 references
IIFA Award for Best Actor
point in time
2005
winner
Shah Rukh Khan
0 references
IIFA Award for Best Story
point in time
2005
winner
Aditya Chopra
0 references
IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress
point in time
2005
winner
Rani Mukherjee
0 references
Stardust Award for Star of the Year – Female
point in time
2005
winner
Preity Zinta
0 references
IIFA Award for Best Director
point in time
2005
winner
Yash Chopra
0 references
Zee Cine Award for Best Actor – Male
point in time
2005
winner
Shah Rukh Khan
0 references
Bollywood Movie Award – Best Costume Designer
point in time
2005
winner
Manish Malhotra
0 references
Filmfare Award for Best Dialogue
point in time
2005
winner
Aditya Chopra
0 references
Bollywood Movie Award – Best Director
point in time
2005
winner
Yash Chopra
0 references
nominated for
Filmfare Award for Best Director
point in time
2005
0 references
Filmfare Award for Best Film
point in time
2005
0 references
Zee Cine Award for Best Director
point in time
2005
0 references
Filmfare Award for Best Actress
point in time
2005
0 references
IIFA Award for Best Actor
point in time
2005
0 references
IIFA Award for Best Director
point in time
2005
0 references
Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Female
point in time
2005
0 references
Zee Cine Award for Best Story
point in time
2005
0 references
Filmfare Award for Best Actor
point in time
2005
0 references
IIFA Award for Best Movie
point in time
2005
0 references
Zee Cine Award for Best Film
point in time
2005
0 references
Zee Cine Award for Best Actor – Female
point in time
2005
0 references
Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress
point in time
2005
0 references
IIFA Award for Best Music Director
point in time
2005
0 references
Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male
point in time
2005
0 references
IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actor
point in time
2005
0 references
IIFA Award for Best Story
point in time
2005
0 references
Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor
point in time
2005
0 references
IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress
point in time
2005
0 references
Stardust Award for Best Supporting Actress
point in time
2005
0 references
Filmfare Award for Best Music Director
point in time
2005
0 references
Zee Cine Award for Best Actor – Male
point in time
2005
0 references
Stardust Award for Star of the Year – Female
point in time
2005
0 references
Star Guild Award for Best Costume Design
point in time
2006
0 references
Apsara Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
point in time
2006
0 references
Apsara Award for Best Music Director
point in time
2006
0 references
distribution format
video on demand
1 reference
inferred from
Netflix
Wikimedia import URL
//www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106819#P1874
//www.wikidata.org/wiki/Property:P1874#P2302
CNC film rating (France)
no age restriction
1 reference
reference URL
//www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/114912
CNC film rating (Romania)
A.G.
rating certificate ID
14495
1 reference
reference URL
//cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=14691
FSK film rating
FSK 6
0 references
official website
//www.yashrajfilms.com/Movies/MovieIndividual.aspx?MovieID=bcf9279e-a659-4306-ae46-1bd43b88495f
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
Russian Wikipedia
Wikimedia import URL
//ru.wikipedia.org/?oldid=98179567
described by source
Time Out The 100 best Bollywood movies
series ordinal
97
0 references
assessment
Bechdel test
assessment outcome
passes
criterion used
considering named characters only
1 reference
stated in
Bechdel Test Movie List
Bechdel Test Movie List ID
5976
retrieved
10 December 2017
Riz Test
assessment outcome
passes
1 reference
stated in
Veer-Zaara
reverse Bechdel Test
assessment outcome
passes
criterion used
considering named characters only
1 reference
stated in
Veer-Zaara
Mako Mori test
assessment outcome
passes
1 reference
stated in
Veer-Zaara
Vito Russo test
assessment outcome
fails
1 reference
stated in
Veer-Zaara
Identifiers
AllMovie title ID
v316189
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
Catalan Wikipedia
AlloCiné film ID
58522
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
French Wikipedia
Apple TV movie ID
umc.cmc.6po0rdsix3vdl8whbpvvdyisd
0 references
Bechdel Test Movie List ID
5976
1 reference
stated in
Bechdel Test Movie List
retrieved
10 December 2017
IMDb ID
tt0420332
Box Office Mojo film ID (former scheme)
veerzaara
0 references
Cinema.de ID
1331903
0 references
Cinémathèque québécoise work identifier
78911
0 references
Cineplex Germany film ID
149521
1 reference
stated in
Cineplex
ČSFD film ID
182606
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
Czech Wikipedia
Deutsche Synchronkartei film ID
10326
0 references
Douban film ID
1438081
0 references
EDb film ID
t0011445
0 references
EIDR content ID
10.5240/28AB-FD54-592E-0FF6-EE49-N
0 references
elCinema film ID
2027421
0 references
elFilm film ID
414546
0 references
exploitation visa number
114912
start time
15 June 2006
1 reference
reference URL
//www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=58522.html
FandangoNow ID
MMV13269BC7FF2FD775A23130DEF0F644438
0 references
FilmAffinity ID
925191
0 references
Filmweb.pl ID
Veer.Zaara
0 references
Freebase ID
/m/04jwjq
1 reference
stated in
Freebase Data Dumps
publication date
28 October 2013
Google Play Movies & TV ID
ZcOIXTrrB_4
0 references
IMDb ID
tt0420332
1 reference
imported from Wikimedia project
English Wikipedia
Indiancine.ma film ID
ATPE
0 references
iTunes movie ID
1113805532
0 references
Kinopoisk film ID
81492
1 reference
stated in
Kinopoisk
LdiF ID
524371
0 references
Letterboxd film ID
veer-zaara
0 references
LyricsTranslate ID
veer-zaara-lyrics.html
0 references
Metacritic ID
movie/veer-zaara
0 references
MovieMeter film ID
27415
0 references
Moviepilot.de film ID
veer-und-zaara-die-legende-einer-liebe
0 references
Netflix ID
70024184
0 references
OFDb film ID
65411
1 reference
stated in
Online-Filmdatenbank
Open Media Database film ID
4251
0 references
PORT film ID
74346
0 references
Rotten Tomatoes ID
m/veer_zaara
0 references
TCM Movie Database film ID
608033
0 references
TMDb movie ID
4251
1 reference
stated in
The Movie Database
IMDb ID
tt0420332
retrieved
29 May 2021
TV Guide show ID (former scheme)
137725
0 references
TV.com ID
movies/veer-zaara
0 references
Sitelinks
Wikipedia(34 entries)
edit
- arwikiفير زارا (فيلم هندي)
- arzwikiفير زارا
- azwiki Vir və Zara (film, 2004)
- bgwiki Веер-Заара
- bnwiki বীর-জারা
- cawikiVeer-Zaara
- cswikiVeer-Zaara
- dewiki Veer und Zaara – Die Legende einer Liebe
- enwiki Veer-Zaara
- eswikiVeer-Zaara
- fawikiویر-زارا
- fiwiki Veer-Zaara
- frwikiVeer-Zaara
- hiwikiवीर-ज़ारा
- huwiki Vír-zára
- idwikiVeer-Zaara
- itwikiVeer-Zaara
- knwiki ವೀರ್-ಜ಼ಾರಾ (ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರ)
- kowiki 비르와 자라
- mlwiki വീർ-സാരാ
- mnwikiВийр Заара хоёр
- mrwikiवीर-झारा
- mswiki Veer-Zaara
- newwiki वीर-ज़ारा (सन् २००४या संकिपा)
- pawikiਵੀਰ-ਜ਼ਾਰਾ
- plwiki Veer-Zaara
- ruwikiВир и Зара
- shwikiVeer-Zaara
- svwiki Veer-Zaara
- tawikiவீர்-சாரா
- tewikiవీర్-జారా
- trwikiVeer-Zaara
- urwikiویر-زارا
- uzwiki Vir va Zara
Wikibooks(0 entries)
edit
Wikinews(0 entries)
edit
Wikiquote(1 entry)
edit
- plwikiquoteVeer-Zaara
Wikisource(0 entries)
edit
Wikiversity(0 entries)
edit
Wikivoyage(0 entries)
edit
Wiktionary(0 entries)
edit
Multilingual sites(0 entries)
edit
Retrieved from "//www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?title=Q106819&oldid=1754837685"