Zakhm

'Zakhm' is one of Mahesh Bhatt's most down-to-earth works to date. Rumour has it that the movie is based on Bhatt and his mother. Bhatt's attempt at storytelling is genuine but it does tend to get preachy towards the end and slightly derails. Yet, 'Zakhm' remains a moving experience mostly because of the performances, songs and rawness. The use of darker tinted colours only contributes to the film's gloominess and the characters' loneliness and desire.

Bhatt's daughter Pooja Bhatt produces and stars in 'Zakhm' giving her career-best performance. One may wonder why she didn't get any recognition for it. Incidentally this is Pooja Bhatt's last movie as female lead actress and Mahesh Bhatt's last as director. After that both Bhatts opted for production.

Ajay Devgan too delivers one of his best performances. This is perhaps the first film that got him recognized as a serious actor and a fortunate deviation from those horrible dishum-dishum action flicks he was better known for. Kunal Khemu is brilliant and Sonali Bendre has a graceful presence. Ashutosh Rana is okay.

The songs are beautiful and they wonderfully immerse with the narrative. My favourites are 'Par Likh Key', 'Maa Ney Kahaan' and 'Gali Mein Aaj Chand Nikla'. The soundtrack is very calming and it brings that effect in an otherwise dark intense film. 'Zakhm' is one of Bhatt's best works. 'Zakhm' may have ended up being a better film if Bhatt toned down on the preachy element and focused mainly on the mother's story. The fact that it released near the time of 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' may have lead it to go unnoticed but 'Zakhm' is a film that is worth the time.

This is one of the best and bravest films to deal with the issue of communal harmony in India and is even more relevant after the gujarat events. Amazing screenplay, story and direction. Acting is top notch especially ajay devgan has got to have the most intense actors around.. his eyes are so expressive, he doesn't need to speak!!Pooja and Kunal Khemu excel.Heartfelt and touching lyrics, especially hum yahan. This is one movie which is extremely well balanced and will raise the hackles of the fundamentalist elements from both sides.Congrats to Mr Bhatt for this achievement. Mr Bhatt gets is right on so many levels with this movie, Bravo Sir!!Certainly one of the best movies of the past 30 years.

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 is one absolutely stunning movie. If you are an avid fan of Bollywood movies and you haven't watched it yet, something is wrong with you. I actually recommend everyone to watch this movie. This cinematic masterpiece will touch your heart on many levels, bring to the forefront the communal disharmony in India. Mahesh Bhatt's most gripping movie ever. Performance-wise, Pooja Bhatt is fantastic, so are Akshay Anand, Ashutosh Rana and Sonali Bendre. Child Actor Kunal Kemmy is absolutely amazing in a role that required a lot of emoting and conveyed honest expressions. Now coming to the lead actor - Ajay Devgan. Today, Ajay is definetely one of Bollywood's finest. However, back in 1998, he had more of an action hero image. This movie was a step toward getting away from that stereotype and the first in many stunning performances that Ajay has given ever since. He has excelled in movies like The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Company, Deewangee, and most recently Khakee, but I would say this performance is his finest ever. His eyes do most of the talking, so he doesn't need a lot of dialogues. He is one of those actors who is just a treat to watch, regardless of the genre of a movie. Overall, this movie is amazing. Highly recommended. A+.

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'.