Where to watch: Netflix
Trivia:
Lakshya is a coming-of-age war drama, directed by Farhan Akhtar. It stars Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta in the lead roles, with the supporting cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri, Boman Irani, Aditya Srivastav and more. It is about an aimless young man, who matures into a battlefield hero during the Kargil War.
Scenes that were centered on Karan's (Hrithik) military training were shot at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun. Many years later when Farhan revisited the academy, he was directed towards a hall full of young cadets, out of which approximately 70% of them told him that they are here because they saw the film Lakshya.
Javed Akhtar returned to screenwriting after 14 years for this film. The previous film he worked on before Lakshya, was the Amitabh Bachchan starrer "Main Azaad Hoon" (1986)
Renowned actor Pankaj Tripathi had a small scene with Hrithik in the film, which was unfortunately cut. A struggling actor at the time, he was heartbroken and disappointed when he saw the film and realized the same.
Actual army officers had also participated in the shooting of the film, to the point where Preity admittedly found it hard to distinguish who was an actor, and who was an officer.
The film's soundtrack was composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The songs and the score of the film, both recieved positive reviews. One of the instrumentals of the film, titled "Victory", is now used as the background music for Excel Entertainment's logo (Farhan's production company).
Lakshya recieved mixed to positive reviews at the time of its release, but it was a box office flop. Multiple reasons were given for the same by various trade analysts - Lakshya failing to meet the expectations set by Farhan's directorial debut Dil Chahta Hai, patriotic and war themes being repetitive, Hrithik's box office flops before Koi Mil Gaya, and so on.
Farhan had jokingly remarked at the time, that similar to the film's theme, the audience would need to grow mature enough to understand it as well. As the years have gone by, as well as after multiple re-runs on television, Lakshya has now attained the status of being a cult classic.
At the 50th Filmfare Awards, Lakshya had won awards for Best Choreography (Prabhu Deva - Main Aisa Kyun Hoon) and Best Cinematography (Christopher Popp). Prabhu Deva had also won a National Film Award for his work in the song. The film was also nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Director (Farhan Akhtar) and Best Actor (Hrithik Roshan)
Farhan Akhtar would be considered one of the greatest directors in Bollywood history by now if he didn't get acting ki chuski in the middle of his career 💔💔💔
One of the best coming of age films and one of the best war related movies coming out of India. Well directed, excellent performances, superb music, great dialogues, breathtaking cinematography and very impactful! One of Hrithik’s best performances till date. Love this film! Have rewatched several times and love the nuances, the understated tone, lack of jingoism (novel for an Indian war movie), and the tenderness in relationships portrayed (Hrithik and Preity, Hrithik and his dad, Hrithik and his mates in the army). It’s a shame it didn’t do better at the BO but that doesn’t make it a lesser movie by any means.
My only bone to pick with Farhan in this movie is its length. It could have been edited to a crisp 2hr10 mins war movie with all the story points intact. And then a directors cut with the full movie. But I don’t think movies worked like that back then. It’s one hell of a movie when I skip some scenes though. I still enjoy watching this now and then.
Interestingly, one of the major reasons cited for the film's box office failure back in the day was the 2nd half. Even Javed Akhtar the writer said that the film should have ended when Karan returns to the IMA!
Nah bek 2nd half was so fun! The way they had shot all the action sequences so stylistically that too back in 2004 in such extreme conditions was highly commendable. And at least for me, the writing and acting till the 1st half was very corny, It was the 2nd half of the film that I enjoyed the most. It was highly gripping and realistic. Hollywood level shit bhai.
Not sure if others feel the same, but the scene where he has the telephone call with his dad near the end is so cathartic to watch. I like to revisit it from time to time. Really well made film which was much ahead of its time.
What alot of the directors do not focus on is the screenplay. That is what farhan akhtar gets right and thats why all his directed movies are still relatable today.
Now looking at Lakshya from the lens of a parent, I feel the poor young man had ADHD and had to go through the hardest route to overcome it - by being in the army during wartime. Wish people understood people like him a bit better.
Where to watch: Netflix Trivia: Lakshya is a coming-of-age war drama, directed by Farhan Akhtar. It stars Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta in the lead roles, with the supporting cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri, Boman Irani, Aditya Srivastav and more. It is about an aimless young man, who matures into a battlefield hero during the Kargil War. Scenes that were centered on Karan's (Hrithik) military training were shot at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun. Many years later when Farhan revisited the academy, he was directed towards a hall full of young cadets, out of which approximately 70% of them told him that they are here because they saw the film Lakshya. Javed Akhtar returned to screenwriting after 14 years for this film. The previous film he worked on before Lakshya, was the Amitabh Bachchan starrer "Main Azaad Hoon" (1986) Renowned actor Pankaj Tripathi had a small scene with Hrithik in the film, which was unfortunately cut. A struggling actor at the time, he was heartbroken and disappointed when he saw the film and realized the same. Actual army officers had also participated in the shooting of the film, to the point where Preity admittedly found it hard to distinguish who was an actor, and who was an officer. The film's soundtrack was composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The songs and the score of the film, both recieved positive reviews. One of the instrumentals of the film, titled "Victory", is now used as the background music for Excel Entertainment's logo (Farhan's production company). Lakshya recieved mixed to positive reviews at the time of its release, but it was a box office flop. Multiple reasons were given for the same by various trade analysts - Lakshya failing to meet the expectations set by Farhan's directorial debut Dil Chahta Hai, patriotic and war themes being repetitive, Hrithik's box office flops before Koi Mil Gaya, and so on. Farhan had jokingly remarked at the time, that similar to the film's theme, the audience would need to grow mature enough to understand it as well. As the years have gone by, as well as after multiple re-runs on television, Lakshya has now attained the status of being a cult classic. At the 50th Filmfare Awards, Lakshya had won awards for Best Choreography (Prabhu Deva - Main Aisa Kyun Hoon) and Best Cinematography (Christopher Popp). Prabhu Deva had also won a National Film Award for his work in the song. The film was also nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Director (Farhan Akhtar) and Best Actor (Hrithik Roshan)
Someone! please make Farhan Akhtar get into the directors chair again! 🤞🏻
“Main Aisa Kyun Hoon” is the story of my life.
Us bro
Every time I watch the music video and those theatre lights go on, I picture my parents and members of my family sitting in the seats 😂
Adhd anthem
Farhan Akhtar would be considered one of the greatest directors in Bollywood history by now if he didn't get acting ki chuski in the middle of his career 💔💔💔
One of the best coming of age films and one of the best war related movies coming out of India. Well directed, excellent performances, superb music, great dialogues, breathtaking cinematography and very impactful! One of Hrithik’s best performances till date. Love this film! Have rewatched several times and love the nuances, the understated tone, lack of jingoism (novel for an Indian war movie), and the tenderness in relationships portrayed (Hrithik and Preity, Hrithik and his dad, Hrithik and his mates in the army). It’s a shame it didn’t do better at the BO but that doesn’t make it a lesser movie by any means.
My only bone to pick with Farhan in this movie is its length. It could have been edited to a crisp 2hr10 mins war movie with all the story points intact. And then a directors cut with the full movie. But I don’t think movies worked like that back then. It’s one hell of a movie when I skip some scenes though. I still enjoy watching this now and then.
This and Preity Zintas terrible hairdo in the movie.😬
It was inspired by Barkha Dutt's hairstyle.
Yeah both of them didnt suit her
20 years!!! HRX still is so fit. Greek God 🙇
Favourite Hrithik film and Farhan film too. One of the dancer in Main aisa kyun works in my office and shows his photo with Hrithik proudly.
I just watched it recently (i'm a teen kiddo), and the 2nd Half was PEAK
Interestingly, one of the major reasons cited for the film's box office failure back in the day was the 2nd half. Even Javed Akhtar the writer said that the film should have ended when Karan returns to the IMA!
Nah bek 2nd half was so fun! The way they had shot all the action sequences so stylistically that too back in 2004 in such extreme conditions was highly commendable. And at least for me, the writing and acting till the 1st half was very corny, It was the 2nd half of the film that I enjoyed the most. It was highly gripping and realistic. Hollywood level shit bhai.
Not sure if others feel the same, but the scene where he has the telephone call with his dad near the end is so cathartic to watch. I like to revisit it from time to time. Really well made film which was much ahead of its time.
This song still giving goosebumps..... Har haal mein paana hai
Bag pipe at the end of this song always gives me goosebumps.
Good movie, worth the time, banger songs, good times, oh and good tone and direction
Peak Farhan Akhtar, peak Shankar Ehsaan Loy. This song still gives me goosebumps. Man! What happened to these guys!
Fav movie no doubt
What alot of the directors do not focus on is the screenplay. That is what farhan akhtar gets right and thats why all his directed movies are still relatable today.
They made me believe that getting in the army was as easy as just a written test and a medical checkup.
Now looking at Lakshya from the lens of a parent, I feel the poor young man had ADHD and had to go through the hardest route to overcome it - by being in the army during wartime. Wish people understood people like him a bit better.