An epic love saga across borders
*Veer-Zaara*, a 2004 Indian romantic drama film directed by Yash Chopra, stands as a testimony to eternal love that transcends boundaries. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherjee in pivotal roles, with appearances by Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini, the film weaves a poignant story. Aditya Chopra has written the story and dialogues of this cinematic masterpiece.
The film revolves around Squadron Leader Veer Pratap Singh, an Indian Air Force pilot, and Zara Hayat Khan, a Pakistani girl from a wealthy political family in Lahore. The film begins with Veer narrating his tragic love story with Pakistani lawyer Samia Siddiqui, who seeks to secure his release from prison after he was unjustly imprisoned.
Veer and Zara's love story takes place against the backdrop of political tensions in India and Pakistan. Despite the adversity, their love blossoms. But social and political pressures force them to separate. The story takes an emotional turn when Veer finds himself imprisoned, and Samiya, moved by his story, seeks justice.
The film explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the enduring human spirit. As Samiya delves into Veer and Zara's past, she becomes determined to reunite the separated lovers. The story transcends geographical boundaries, showcasing the power of love to overcome prejudice and hostility.
*Veer-Zaara* not only had emotional resonance, but also became a blockbuster, garnering local and international acclaim. With its global box office gross exceeding INR 942.2 million (US$14 million), it emerged as the highest-grossing Bollywood film of the year. The film was shown at many prestigious film festivals around the world and received recognition for its cinematic excellence.
The film's music, inspired by the timeless compositions of the late Madan Mohan and selected poems by Javed Akhtar, adds to its appeal. The soundtrack received widespread acclaim, contributing to the overall success of *Veer-Zaara*.
Yash Chopra's return to directing after a seven-year hiatus, after Dil To Pagal Hai*, showcased his storytelling prowess. The film's positive reviews, along with multiple awards, have confirmed its status as a cinematic gem. *Veer-Zaara* is still celebrated for its compelling narrative, brilliant performances and rousing music, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of Indian cinema.
the story of the movie
*Veer-Zaara* begins with a flashback from Squadron Leader Veer Pratap Singh's prison cell. The story unfolds when Zara Hayat Khan, a lively Pakistani girl, travels to India carrying the ashes of her Sikh patron Bibi. Before her death, Bibi expressed her last wish that Zara bring her ashes to the Sikh holy city of Kiratpur in India and scatter them in the Sutlej River among her ancestors. Zara decides to fulfill Bebe's wish.
Upon arriving in India, Zara's bus meets with an accident, and Squadron Leader Veer Pratap Singh, an Indian Air Force pilot, comes to her rescue. With his help, Zara completes Bebe's last rites. Veer convinces Zara to spend a day with him in his village, and takes her on a tour of the Indian Punjab region. They visit Veer's village during the Lodhi festival and meet his uncle Chaudhary (Sumer Singh) and his wife Saraswati Kaur. Uncle Veer tells him that he saw Zara becoming his wife in a dream. Veer realizes that he has fallen in love with Zara. Before Zara takes the train to Lahore, Veer waits for the right moment to express his feelings, but before he can, Zara's fiancé, Raza, arrives looking for her. Before Zara boards the train, Veer confesses his love, but she shows no sign of reciprocity. As Zara leaves, Veer discovers that one of Zara's silver anklets is still with him. She signals him to keep her, and they believe it is the end of their journey and they may never meet again.
Upon arriving in Pakistan, Zara realizes that she has deep feelings of love for Veer, but her duty is to uphold her family's honor and marry her fiancé, a union that serves her father's political career. Her mother Maryam informs Hayat Khan about an Indian man who is willing to sacrifice his life for her. Quickly, Zara starts seeing Veer everywhere around her, and finally, she confides in her maid and friend Shabu about her love for Veer. Shabu calls Veer and tells him that Zara is miserable without him. She pleads with him to come and take Zara away. Veer, who tells Zara that he is ready to give up his life for her, quits his job in the Indian Air Force and goes to Pakistan to bring Zara back to India. However, Zara's mother, Maryam, pleads with him to leave Zara, as her marriage to her fiancé, Jehangir Hayat Khan, is crucial to her father's reputation. Complying with her request, Veer decides to leave for India, but Raza, angry at the shame Zara has brought him, falsely accuses Veer of being an Indian spy.
The story moves forward 22 years, and Veer now meets Samia Siddiqui, a Pakistani lawyer determined to free him. The Pakistani government is reviewing the cases of some Indian prisoners, and assigns the case of Prisoner 786 (Veer) to Samia. Many believe it is an impossible task, as the prisoner has not spoken to anyone for 22 years. The prosecution is headed by Zakir Ahmed, the former president of Samia, who has never lost a case. Veer tells Samia that she can defend him but without revealing or summoning Zara's family. Some Muslims believe that 786 is a sacred number in Islam, which convinces Samia that God has chosen Veer for a special purpose. She was determined to clear his name and identity and return him to India.
After the prosecution presents the case, Samia realizes that she needs to cross the border and find someone who can prove Veer's real identity. There, she meets Zara, who has fled to India and becomes the principal of a girls' school after Veer's uncle and his wife die. She thought Veer had died in the bus accident that killed all the passengers on their way to India. Samia brings Zara back to Pakistan to tell the court the truth about Veer's identity. The judge releases Veer, and the prosecution apologizes on behalf of Pakistan. After they were finally free, Veer and Zara said goodbye to Samia and Pakistan at the Wagah border crossing, and returned to their village together.
work team
- Shah Rukh Khan - Veer Pratap Singh
- Preity Zinta - Zara Hayat Khan
- Rani Mukerji - Samia Siddiqui
- Amitabh Bachchan - Chaudhary Sumer Singh (Uncle Veer)
- Hema Malini - Saraswati Kaur (Veer's uncle's wife)
- Manoj Bajpayee - Redha
- Kirron Kher - Maryam Hayat Khan (Zara’s mother)
- Boman Irani - Jehangir Hayat Khan (Zara's father)