Kisna - The Warrior Poet

The movie Kisna-The Warrior Poet, was filmed against the landscape of the tumultous 1940s, when India was struggling for independence from the Britain, and when all Europeans were regarded as the enemy against that struggle, thus triggering a long spat of violence.

However, in this violent times, there emerges a love story of the two most unlikely characters; the loyal and traditional Kisna, from a family of freedom fighters, and that of Katherine, the daughter of a prominent but mean British official.

Kisna and Katherine's friendship began in childhood, and both families took to this relationship well, except for Katherine's father who frowned upon his daughter befriending an Indian, and that too, the son of his servant. As such, Katherine was sent back to England at a young age, in a bid to nip the friendship. Ah, I have to mention that Luxmi, the grand-daughter of Kisna's music teacher, is crazy about him, even as a little girl, and is constantly annoyed at the friendship between Kisna and Katherine.

During this time, Kisna grows to be the enchanting gallant young man, joining in the cause for freedom, and at the same time maintaining his art of poetry and music. Whilst back in England, Katherine is the vivacious young beauty who has never forgotten her friend Kisna.

With the reign of the British coming to an end, Katherine's father calls her to India for a visit, and here is where their story begins again. The two childhood friends quickly rekindle their friendship, and in the meantime, Kisna's marriage has also been fixed with Luxmi, who was further agitated with Katherine's arrival. Their engagement was fixed after Luxmi expresses her annoyance to her grandfather.

Shortly after the engagement party, Katherine's family was attacked at home by indians rebelling against her father's rule. Her father was beheaded, and her mother went missing. Katherine ran for her life and hid in a temple, where she was found by Kisna, and given refuge in his stable. Kisna's mother then commands Kisna to escort Katherine on her journey to England.

It was on this journey that the two friends will fall in love with each other. It becomes a story of sacrifice, loyalty, culture, family and of course Love.

Kisna didn't marry Katherine in the end, saying that he needed to fulfill his promise to Luxmi. At the end of the movie, which is a narration of an aged Katherine, Luxmi meets her, and tells her that Kisna had fulfilled all his responsibilities as a loving husband and father...but he always loved Katherine, and she would hear him play Katherine and his love tune on his flute in the peaceful night. He never mentioned Katherine again, until his death bed, where he asked Luxmi to scatter his ashes at this one place - the place where Katherine and his soul first became one.

It was so touching. I felt really hurt for Luxmi though. I cannot imagine what it must feel like to live with a man you love so dearly, and realise at the end that you were just a responsibility, that he was in love with someone else, but to fulfill a promise he married you. I would be devastated.

As with most of Subhash Ghai's productions, the soundtrack was beautiful...afterall, it was done by AR Rahman, and had all the earthy and Indian tones to it.

Cast:
Vivek Oberoi .... Kisna Singh
Antonia Bernath .... Catherine
Isha Sharvani .... Lakshmi

I think Vivek looks especially good in this movie, perhaps cos he has more hair. Somehow, it looks as though he had a really good makeover.

Antonia's pretty good too, and I love Isha Sharvani who acted as Luxmi. You should see her performing all that aecrobatic moves...and yogic looking dances. Very different from the other shows.



Here's a trailer of the movie. You'll notice some of the film crew as well.