Tagline: A boy with a grenade
Director: Santosh Sivan
Producer: Shripal Morakhia, Mubina Rattonsey
Banner: i Dream Production
Music Director: Sunil Babu
Star Cast: Purav Bhandare, Anupam Kher, Rahul Bose, Rahul Khanna, Sana Shaikh, Sarika, Victor Banerji, Ankush Dubey and Dheirya Sonecha
Release Date: September 5, 2008
'Tahaan', the story of an eight-year-old boy, has hit the theaters and with it, director Santosh Sivan has proved his mettle once again. It seems to have drawn inspiration from Sivan's 'Halo' and 'The Terrorist', yet manages to impress you with its own worth. 'Tahaan', as a movie, takes us into the life of fictitious characters, who encounter some non-fictitious incidents in their life. It is based on the journey of a boy, who wants to get back his pet donkey, but unknowingly ends up being used by terrorists. Sivan has beautifully built the entire movie around the child protagonist - 'Tahaan'. Through the film, you get to feel the emotions as well as the vulnerability of the child, whose sole aim is to be united with his donkey. Talking about cinematography, Sivan has beautifully captured the scenic magnificence of Kashmir valley. However, it is in sync with the script and pace of the movie. The only flaw in 'Tahaan' is that, at times, it becomes excessively slow and makes undue references, with no relevance to the plot.
Coming down to the performances, child actor Purav Bhandare deserves the maximum applause. Sivan has managed to extract a natural performance from the boy. Anupam Kher, as usual, delivers a power packed performance. Another winner in 'Tahaan' is Sarika, who has come up with a compelling act. Talking about other actors, Rahul Khanna is completely wasted, while Victor Bannerjee does not get enough time to make his presence felt. As for Rahul Bose, what was he doing in the movie? In spite of the few flaws, 'Tahaan' is definitely a movie worth watching in a multiplex.
Tahaan Pre-release Review
Tired of the thrillers and comedies that are doing the round of theaters these days? Seeking to provide you with a change is Santosh Sivan’s next directorial venture ‘Tahaan’, the story about a boy who desperately wants to get back something that is very dear to him. It has been produced by Shripal Morakhia and Mubina Rattonsey and will be released under the banner of ‘i Dream Production’. The star cast of Tahaan includes Purav Bhandare, Anupam Kher, Rahul Bose, Rahul Khanna, Sana Shaikh, Sarika,Victor Banerji, Ankush Dubey and Dheirya Sonecha
Tahaan Pre-release Review
Tired of the thrillers and comedies that are doing the round of theaters these days? Seeking to provide you with a change is Santosh Sivan’s next directorial venture ‘Tahaan’, the story about a boy who desperately wants to get back something that is very dear to him. It has been produced by Shripal Morakhia and Mubina Rattonsey and will be released under the banner of ‘i Dream Production’. The star cast of Tahaan includes Purav Bhandare, Anupam Kher, Rahul Bose, Rahul Khanna, Sana Shaikh, Sarika,Victor Banerji, Ankush Dubey and Dheirya Sonecha
The story of ‘Tahaan’ revolves around an eight-year-old boy (Purav Bhandare), with the same name, who lives in Kashmir. He stays along with his grandfather (Victor Banerjee), mother Haba (Sarika) and older sister Zoya (Sana Shaikh). His father has been missing since the past three years and the entire family lives in the hope that one day, he will come back to them. Another tragedy strikes the house, when Tahaan’s grandfather passes away. Following this, Lalaji, the local moneylender, and his manager Kuka (Rahul Khanna) take away the assets of the family, as the repayment of a pending loan.
Amongst other things that they take away is Birbal, the pet donkey of Tahaan. Now, Tahaan has only purpose in life i.e. to get back his donkey. He tries to make enough money to give to Lalaji and get back Birbal. However, when he approaches Lalaji, he is distraught to learn that an old man, Subhan Darr (Anupam Kher) has bought Birbal. More disheartening news is that Subhan has taken Birbal across the mountains, the ones from where Tahaan’s father never returned. Though a little afraid, Tahaan goes towards the mountains, in the hope of catching up with the old man.
The visionary old man, though initially a little wary of Tahaan, is slowly impressed by his determination and his love for Birbal. As the journey comes to an end, Subhan gifts Birbal to his orphaned eight-year-old nephew, leaving Tahaan disheartened once again. This time, even Zafar (Rahul Bose), the long-time helper of Subhan, does not prove to be of any assistance. While the boy is coming back home, he encounters Idrees, a teenager who promises that he will get back Birbal for Tahaan, provided the latter does a favor for him and carries a package across the mountains.
Since Tahaan is ready to do anything for Birbal and is totally naive, he eagerly agrees to the condition of Idrees. After getting his approval, Idees gives a package to Tahaan, telling him that he will be informed as to what is to be done with it, when the time comes. Tahaan starts his second journey with Subhan and Zafar, hiding the package, which also contains a grenade, under Birbal's saddle. How far will Tahaan go to get back Birbal? What is the price that he will have to pay for the same? To get answers to these questions, wait for 13th June, the day when the movie is scheduled to hit theaters.
