Zakhm

Zakhm is quite unlike any Bollywood film I have seen before, a far cry from the song and dance routines and conventional moralities that are typical of the ITV late night slot at least. It is shot like a black and white Hollywood drama, and filled with tension and quite piercing political and social issues.

The context is Mumbai torn apart by religious hatred and violence. Muslims and Hindus are killing each other en mass. This friction is mirrored by events in one man's life, as his family is split in two by religion just as his society is. Much of the film is told in flashback, filling in the history of the family's deeply buried secrets.

The performances throughout the film are gripping, with the cast giving very convincing portrayals of the grief and fear their characters go through - one wonders what director Mahesh Bhatt might have put his cast through to get such fantastic acting. Particularly impressive is child actor Kunaal Khemu, whose honest and intense emotions are infectious.

Zakhm raises many issues about how we treat other people, and what issues are ever worth resorting to violence over. It is beautifully filmed, and the script is both intelligent and original. Unforgettable.

This movie is winner of National Award for National Integration.

Its hero Ajay Devgan also won National Award for the Best Actor in 1998.

A really superb movie!

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+.

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