Zakhm

Zakhm is, by and large, the finest work of Mahesh Bhatt of the 1990s, a decade throughout which he made some disastrous movies with little substance. Zakhm is a lifelike, wonderful story, which unfolds in two time-lines. The first is the present-day turmoil happening in the life of a young music director named Ajay. He is in a hospital where his mother is lying in a critical condition as a result of recent communal riots in which she was burned by a group of Islamists. The second time-line is presented through a flashback which recounts Ajay's childhood when he lived with his mother and recently-born brother. His father did not live with them and would only come to visit them from time to time. He never married Ajay's mother because he was a Hindu and she was a Muslim. Yet, she kept hiding her Muslim faith because of her involvement with a Hindu man, disguising as a Christian for the rest of her life.

Zakhm works because it feels very much a documentation of a true and personal story, and it actually is, from what I understand. It is deeply moving and absorbing, and in this regard is reminiscent of Bhatt's efforts during the 1980s, like Arth, Saaransh and Kaash, some amazing, hard-hitting pictures known for realistically portraying complex relationships and lifelike struggles. Zakhm is not as great as these films, generally speaking, and technically too it could have been better, but then it is definitely a special film in many ways. Bhatt's direction is very good. He tackles a delicate subject which is always relevant and presents a sincere and brutally honest account of communal strife, even if it's faulty and preachy at times. The portrayal of Ajay's childhood and his relationship with his mother is beautiful and heart-touching. Bhatt captures the mind of a troubled child with excruciating authenticity.

To achieve the right amount of credibility, the casting was very crucial. And well, no one disappoints. Ajay Devgan is excellent in his first great role. His performance is incredibly heartfelt and intense, and it's memorable more because most of it is internal and non-verbal. His devastated expression of anguish and grief is haunting, to say the least. Pooja Bhatt has never looked more beautiful. She is brilliant as the loving mother and suffering wife, who is tormented by her everyday struggle of raising her kids all alone, hiding her religious identity, and living in distance from her husband. This is certainly her best performance. Child actor Kunal Khemu is quite amazing as the young Ajay, who is a smart kid and a loving son. Sonali Bendre is beautiful and provides good support. Zakhm is not a flawless movie, but it is definitely a moving and riveting movie experience which remains in the mind for a long time.

A stunning adaptation depicting real-life events in the famous Bhatt family. A denial of familial truths conspires to affect the lives of a young boy and his mother.

Recommended Indian cinema for fans of the 'less-Bollywoodised'.

Well its one of the most depressing movie which came out of bollywood bag but not only that its one of the very best movie that Indian cinema have ever produced.With the theme of the movie heavily based on communal-ism its touching more to those who have faced the wrath of communal riots in reality.

Zakhm is quite successful to expose the real consequences of riots between different communities in the name of religion.

Ajay Devgan won a deserving national award for his acting in a lead role.Songs are beautifully written and full of sentiments.Its an all time favorites bollywood movie of mine.And those who like to watch a little offbeat movies,they will love 'Zakhm' for sure.

Zakhm is definitely the best creation by Mahesh Bhatt. The plot involves the communal tension of Mumbai during the riots.Pooja Bhatt, mother of Ajay Devgan is burnt alive by a Muslim mob and then we are taken into the flashback which reveals the dark side of Pooja Bhatt's and Ajay Devgan's past. The strength of Zakhm is its depiction of human sentiments and emotions which are portrayed so beautifully that it really hits you hard.

Performance wise the movie is amazing Ajay Devgan winning the prestigious National Award.Pooja Bhatt making a stunning come back Nagarjuna , Ashutosh Rana,Akshay Anand all delivers a strong performance.Master Kunal is the show stunner it is amazing to see such a strong performance by a child artist.

Music wise Zakhm is again a masterpiece the songs really adds more to the emotion and is very touching.

Overall Mahesh Bhatt gives his life's best and a movie which was surely among the best of 98

This movie was released in the year 1998 .... 6 years after 1992 Babri Mosque demolition leading to massive communal riots all over India. 'Zakhm' is actually a movie depicting the heart-wrenching relationship of a mother and her son. In this movie, the lead actor Ajay Devgan has given one of the best performances of his life. It was one of the reasons why he was honored with 1999 National Award for the best performance in a leading role.

In this film two stories are executed in parallel each depicting the past and present life of the lead actor. In the past life it has been shown how he and his mother face social stigma due to various social, religious and ethical beliefs and in present both reluctantly become the part of 1992 communal riots because of Babri Mosque demolition.

These riots were mostly politically motivated and it has also been shown in this film. The producer and director of this film himself claimed that the story of this film is inspired by a real life story and by his efforts he has justified the same.

Watch this film. It is undoubtedly one of the best films ever made. A solid 10 out of 10. Strongly recommended....