Review of Movie Shikara

Star Cast: Sadia, Aadil Khan, Faisal Simon

Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra

Overview : Itz a love story between Kashmiri Pandit couple..love for each other and their home in Kashmir

Storyline : The Story begins in present day 2018 wherein Shivkumar Dhar(Aadil Khan) a writer &teacher finally gets a reply to his 1665 th letter which he has addressed to President Of United States..He is invited to meet the president at Agra…He had addressed letters to him  as he wants to let him know how he’s been a refugee in his own country for the last 28 years. The story then goes in flashback 28..wherein Kashmir we see Shiv meet Shanti (Sadia) and both get married in a traditional kashmiri way ..They are happily married and Shiv ask Shanti where does she want to go for honeymoon…She replys that once in their lifetime she would like to visit Agra and see the Tajmahal….On the other hand tensions brew in Kashmir between Kashmiri Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims …A whole lot of Kashmiri Pandits are forces to exit their homes , and Shiv and Shanti are one such people who went homeless overnight…They seek refuge in Jammu Camp ..They stay there for 28 years having faith that they will return to their home in kashmir one day ….Until this reply comes from USA …What happens next is for the audience to watch..

Script Analysis &Director Review : Script could have been better if the writer would have included a political angle in the plot..Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra has played it safe and not involved any political angle making it a common love story..
Though the photography is good , the cinematographer has captured Kashmir’s beauty in a picture frame look..
The movie is too slow and dragging with nothing much to do with the plot .

Performances : Aadil Khan and Sadia who have debuted have done good job as a newcomer …
Aadil Khan with an astounding presence, not only houses charm in his expressions but also pain which will instantly connect with the audience. He can show on his face what is in his heart & that’s one great thing about established actors whereas this was just his first film.

Sadia Khan just lits up the screen with her wide & bright smile. She has the total control of the scene she is in & not let you watch anything apart from her.

Final Word :Shikara captures the love and pain of leaving place that is home and refuge in other location with hope of someday returning back to one’s root which Kashmiri pandits are aching for…A must one watch movie..

Ratings : 2.5*/5*

Watch trailer here