The Story
Rensil D'Silva makes his directorial debut with in this action thriller with a powerful message. "Kurbaan" tells the story of Avantika, a university professor played by Kareena Kapoor, who comes back to India to teach after having lived and worked in New York. Back in India she meets and falls in love with a fellow professor, Ehsaan, played by Saif Ali Khan, and although she hesitates in the beginning, she is soon taken over by her feelings for him. When she is asked to come back to New York to teach, she is worried about the future of their relationship. But Ehsaan seems more than happy to follow her to the United States. They get married against the will of Avantika’s father, played by Aakash Khurana, and move into an Indian neighborhood outside of New York. But it soon becomes obvious that Ehsaan has planned everything to happen the way it did. During a meeting with their conservative Muslim neighbors, Avantika meets Salma, played by Nauheed Cyrusi, who warns her not to trust anybody. When Salma disappears a few days later, Avantika finds out her husband’s horrible secret. The only person who can help her is a journalist, played by Vivek Oberoi.

Soon after the marriage, they leave to start a new life in New York. They buy a house in an Indian neighbourhood and move in. Just as they are setting up home, their conservative Muslim neighbours, Hamid and Anjum, invite them over for dinner. The next morning, Salma, one of the women Avantika met the night before at the dinner, visits her under the pretext of gifting her sweets. When Avantika invites her in, Salma tells her that she is in grave danger. Nothing is what it seems. Salma pleads with Avantika to help her. What follows next, is a series of incidents that sucks Avantika into a vortex of danger and intrigue. As her life spirals out of control, Avantika realizes that she is a pawn in a huge game. And no one is to be trusted.

The Cast
Kareena Kapoor as Avantika – a university professor who falls in love with Ehsaan, marries him and takes him with her to New York.

Saif Ali Khan – Avantika’s husband who harbors a very dark secret.

Vivek Oberoi – a TV journalist who tries to seek revenge for the death of his girlfriend in a terrible terrorist attack.

The Crew
Director: Rensil D' Silva
Producer: Karan Johar & Hiroo Johar
Banner: Dharma Productions & UTV Motion Pictures
Screenplay: Rensil D' Silva
Story/Writer: Karan Johar
Lyrics: Niranjan Iyengar & Irfan Siddique
Music: Salim-Sulaiman
Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Kiran Kher, Om Puri

What Worked

On and off screen couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor really create on-screen chemistry. Both actors pull off these serious roles. Vivek Oberoi’s acting button seemed to have glitch as he went from good to bad acting every five minutes but we have to say that most of the time he pulled off his role as a heartbroken and vindictive journalist.

What Didn't

The story may have a strong message but sometimes it failed to deliver as certain parts of the movie didn’t seemed fact-checked and at times the actors showed too much emotion. What was supposed to be serious became rather comedic.

The Soundtrack

Salim-Sulaiman's music is well integrated in the narrative. At least two tracks merit a mention - "Shukran Allah" and "Ali Maula" both made a strong impact on the film.

Slated or Rated
"Kurbaan" is a powerful movie with a strong message that at times fails to deliver.

Rating: 4/5