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27 out of 30 people found the following comment useful :- Unbelievable, 4 August 2001 Author: Reini Urban (rurban@x-ray.at) from Graz, Austria
The problem with Hindi cinema is its very strong formalistic framework where it has to fit in. It must pass the censors, must be made for a billion of mostly analphabets and must contain a great number of song and dance scenes. Mani Ratnam is one (and only?) director who constantly extents this genre to embrace the producers, the popular audience and the critical and political aware intellectuals with his strong political claims ("Roja", "Bombay"). This one now beats it all and everybody (in India) talked about it. Such an end was not seen before in Hindi cinema, and all fits perfectly well (despite to what some other critics said). And it works even if you know the end before (which most do).It's my current favorite. Technically superb, very sophisticated content, big fun and emotions. An american version would have been a typical political thriller about an unlucky love to a female terrorist, but Mani Ratnam gives us 300%. Not just the Indian Spielberg or Tsui Hark, this is more. Go for it.
26 out of 30 people found the following comment useful :- I was blown away..., 18 January 2005 Author: (tarynblake)
This was the first actual Bollywood film I've ever seen. I knew nothing about it going in, other than that it was considered a classic and featured "that Indian guy" (Khan) who shows up in every other film. Needless to say, after I became accustomed to the singing and dancing, I was able to dig in to the film a bit. It got slow at times but I was intensely interested in figuring out what the heck was going on. In the final moments of the film, my friend and I just sat frozen. I've never seen a movie that had singing, dancing, and ended with a bang. Needless to say, I'm hooked on Bollywood and determined to make everyone I know watch this film.
26 out of 32 people found the following comment useful :- Visually and emotionally stunning, 26 January 2004 Author: Gracy from USA
"Dil Se" is poetry. Although it is a Mani Ratnam film, the hand of Santosh Sivan is all over it, especially in the music videos. Sivan's artistry and Ratnam's genius, when combined with the sizeable dramatic talent of Shahrukh Khan and an amazing soundtrack by A. R. Rehman, is almost perfect. Even Manisha Koirala is good! Preity Zinta also stands out in a smaller role as SRK's reluctant fiancee. This is not your typical Bollywood film, and this showed at the box office, but that's not a bad thing. This film shows more artistry, more integrity, and more "dil" (heart) than most recent offerings from both the east and the west. "Dil Se" is a really great film.
20 out of 21 people found the following comment useful :- A gem amongst the commercially-hyped bollywood "hits", 6 January 2008 Author: dil_diya from Hungary
Even though this movie came out in 1998, the 1st time I saw it, was a few years back. This was because, at that time, it had received so much criticism that anybody who thinking of watching this movie, thought otherwise. But, while I was surfing the IMDb site, I had noticed that this particular movie had a high rating (considering the fact that it was considered a flop back then). So, I decided to see for myself how this movie was like, and boy, was I stunned..Why was Dil Se a 'flop' in India? A gem amongst the commercially-hyped bollywood "hits"..SRK's acting (as Amar) in this film was superb; at once we see a mix of his endearing boyish vulnerability, tenderness, and wild explosive impulsiveness that characterize the intelligence of this great actor. The transformation that his character went through was amazing to watch- from carefree arrogant pup, to an obsessed lover, to a desperate man, and finally to a dead man walking. It was a welcomed relief to all his other "bubble-gum" characters like "Rahul" in KKHH, K3G (I am not saying that he didn't act well in those movies. Its just that he remained the same, & at same time was boring compared to "Amar")...Manisha Koirala's acting (as Meghna) was flawless. One minute she felt guilty about using "Amar" (by using the AIR {All India Radio} tag in order to get close to the President), while the next minute she didn't bat an eyelid when he was arrested. Her breakdown scenes seem extremely forced into the script, and the only reason why these scenes proved effective is because Manisha is an amazing actress. The sequence where she tries to cry but the tears won't come out is mind-blowing, and no other actress could have portrayed this scene so well. (Even though "Meghna" was portrayed as someone who was damaged emotionally with no recovery, the last scene when "Amar" asked her to say 'I love you', she just looked deeply into him and with the least possible motion, nodded lovingly – her eyes shinning with love for such a brief moment... Simply amazing)...Santosh Sivan's cinematography was stunning. He flexes the visual muscle as the movie veers from the world's coldest lake to the inside of a monastery, and he's helped considerably by the eternal, undeniable beauty of this leading lady (sans makeup). As "Meghna" washes her face casually, we can see why "Amar" has fallen hard for her. For those of us who will probably never visit Ladakh, Sivan's images will forever remain in our minds....Farah Khan definitely deserved the Filmfare Award for best choreography for Dil Se. Who can forget the dance in SATRANGI RE (incredibly erotic piece of footage - the two of them squirming in that red fabric.... Hollywood could learn some lessons here in how to be amorously sexy without being cheap or porno) or SRK's contagious energy on top of that train in CHAIYYA CHAIYYA or him tenderly protecting Manisha in the DIL SE RE?....Music by AR Rahman is the soul of the film .The songs doesn't feel or look out of place at all. Dil Se is hauntingly done both musically and visually as well. This is all because of Mani Ratnam's direction. He told the story in the most human way possible- it is essentially a love story told against the backdrop of terrorism (also showed us the birth of the terrorist -- simplified to a great extent but neatly executed). Ratnam uses 'passion' as his keyword, exploring it on various (occasionally obvious) levels...Overall, I think this movie will always be a classic and is way ahead of it's time. I am sure if this movie was released after 2002, it would have been a huge hit….
18 out of 22 people found the following comment useful :- Best Love story in troubled times ever, 7 August 2005 Author: hemant singh from United States
The main highlight of the movie was no doubt the sound of the movie, if you watch this movie in digital dolby, you wont find a better sounding Hindi movie ever.The characters are very real, with the background of the sets very real, nothing filmy about it. The movie has a distinct aura, since the love story is running in background, with the viewer glued to unfolding mystery about the heroine(manisha koirala). She exude vulnerability, revengeful, and the docile of the commoner. She fits the role to the T. So can be said about shahrukh khan(best movie ever, after Kabhi Haa Kabhi naa). Shahrukh walks effortlessly through the role, being very real in the depiction. So are all other characters in the movie.Choreography cannot be even better. All songs have certain magic, new, innovative, very impressive and music mind boggling. Highly recommended by me, see and listen in digital dolby sound system, this is the best sounding movie ever.
11 out of 12 people found the following comment useful :- Thoughtful thriller/love story, 1 June 2000 Author: Sachin (raamjaane) from London, England
This film was not a hit in India. This is not surprising as it was not a typical Bollywood film. This is not to say that it is a bad film. It has a good story, good performances, mind blowing music and very good ending. Unlike most Hindi films, "Dil Se..." is not loaded with dialogues. Most of the "talking" is done through expressions. Leaving the audience to think for themselves. Perhaps this is why Indian audiences did not embrace this film and Indians living abroad did. ManiRathnam proves with this film that like Shekur Kapoor he would not be out of place in Hollywood making big budget films that captivate the audience. A must see!
15 out of 20 people found the following comment useful :- powerful film, 6 July 1999 Author: caprafan from Glen Cove, NY
This is a haunting film. Everyone raves about the music and cinematography (which of course are excellent), but I wanted to write about the often maligned plot. After seeing Dil Se for the second time, it was easier to see how the seemingly irrational actions of the characters were a result of their life circumstances. I understood much better why Amar was compelled to pursue Meghna; if you've ever been in love with the wrong person, you'll understand too. Meghna is like many other damaged people I've known: capricious, confused, sometimes cruel to others, but in the end her own worst enemy. Both know that their paths are not supposed to join (and pay lip service to that fact), but find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. This is evident by Amar's reaction to seeing Meghna at his engagement, and again in Meghna's attempts to convince herself to feel nothing but fiery patriotism. It is this relentless attraction that forces the shattering scene at the end of the movie--there is no other way for them to be together. This is a very thought-provoking movie, but it does require you to think--not the sort of thing to watch mindlessly while munching on popcorn. It will move you to your core, if you let it.
10 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :- love it with all my heart...., 10 March 2005 Author: angus_4_u from Germany
*** This comment may contain spoilers ***
Who would have thought, that love, singing and terrorism can credibly be combined? But the characters of Manisha Koirala and Shah Rukh Khan are so convincingly and urgently represented, that one can comprehend his deep, unconditional love the same way one can comprehend her fear of him getting closer to her. Because after all the atrocities she has experienced and her role in the suicide command and terrorism, she still in her quiet, reserved ways clings to life, as she develops relationships with other people again and again, for the reason of friendliness and humanity and not for her inhuman cause of terrorism. In the same extent he wants to save her, she develops a fear of this rescue. No matter how she rejects him, his love grows and he does not want to give up, even if it could cost his own life.This story is so fascinatingly told, that one has hardly time to breathe. In addition to that the film language is so enormous and the use of light in some scenes is so space and timeless beautiful, that it is hard to find a comparison to DIL SE. One of those scenes is set at a campfire somewhere in a desert. In the unique Mani Ratnam style there is bright light in the background, intimate whisperings between Meghna and Amar about the three dearest things in the world, close up shots on their faces. The closer Meghna and Amar are getting, the fewer light beams radiates between the two heads and less the observer can see of this intimate moment, the farther away they are from each other, the more one can see of what they are doing, but less is happening. Light means life. Although in Indian Cinema rarely real kisses can be watched, this almost kiss belongs to the Top Ten of best film kisses ever. One could almost feel and taste the tension in this scene.Whoever particularly watches Bollywood Cinema because of the music and the dance scenes will also enjoy this movie. The scene on top of the train became film history and meanwhile it is already quoted in advertisement. In this regard the film is also unusual, the music smoothly adjusts itself into the story and continues to carry it on a bit. As the characters wonder what could have happened if they would have met in another life under different circumstances. The music is made so beautifully.I think that Western or European spectators could find an easy introduction to Indian Cinema with DIL SE , the story telling reminds of the European Cinema Style in a way. It gives enough room to read between the lines and in the faces of the brilliant actors. Words are not needed to explain their actions it is simply there to see it and experience it.Dil SE is absolutely no film which one can easily forget. As far as I'm concern the question that still employs me after having seen it a few times is whether there could have been another end for the two characters or whether the end shown in this film remains the only possible ending to their story. Well, the end of this movie is really the only thing which does not please me. I don't think there has to be a happy ending after all but still the end shown is missing the strength and love of the rest of the story, it just ends it, period.
12 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :- Brilliant Love Story-cum-Social Drama, 13 May 2004 Author: akbarnali from United States
"Dil Se" is easily the most cerebral film churned out by commercial Indian cinema in the last decade. It is not presented as a separatist polemic, nor should it be considered as such (as a lot of myopic viewers have done). Nor is it a film about terrorism. It is essentially a love story told against the backdrop of terrorism. Mani Ratnam is at his best, producing what can only be called surreal realism. Many of you may have forgotten, but once upon a time Shah Rukh Khan was a good actor, and this is easily one of his best performances. Preity Zinta is the only glimmer of relief in this heavy handed tale of darkness and despair. This was also her first film. Rahman's songs are his career best, each of the six tracks more replendent than the last. Above all, however, Dil Se belongs to the luminously gifted Manisha Koirala, who delivers a crushing and skinless portrayal of a reluctant avenger. In a role of almost no dialogue, she speaks volumes through her reticent glances and a body language that is burdened by sorrow. It is a sin that such dramatically gifted actresses like Manisha, Tabu, Juhi, Nandita Das, etc. are relegated to competing for potboiler non-roles that crown glamorous dance queens like Aishwariya, Amisha, Madhuri and ilk the top of the heap. India has great actors- the film industry just doesn't know how to utilize them.
9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :- India's Sven Nykvist, 13 January 2004 Author: Goodgollymissbolly from Minnesota USA
Most Indian films I've seen have cinematography not worth thinking about. You never become aware of it. Dil Se, on the other hand, is sometimes visually stunning. It made me think about cinematography for the first time. That is due to Santosh Sivan who belongs in the same elite with Sven Nykvist who did all of Bergman's films.Some say this is an attempt at a "normal" film. I didn't see it that way. I'd rather say it was Bollywood with a serious theme and serious artistic overlays due to several masters working together on the light, music, and dance. All in all, it produces a very striking result.I will say that some of the plot left me kind of steaming. There is talk of rape of pre-teen girls by marauding soldiers. That raises some grave ethical questions in my mind about the Indian public. Do the viewers in that country treat this as "just entertainment" with no need to respond?But if you can handle that, you will get superior cinematic art in this film. Not matter WHAT the naysayers try to tell you.
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