Deux frères and a Goal

Deux frères - Two brothers. Twins - one shy and gentle, the other bold and fierce. Separated in their early childhood. Grow up in different environments. The bold brother gets confined to a maverick life of performing odd tricks to the tunes of his master. The shy brother grows up under a royal patronage that urges him to become a fighter.
And one day, the two brother find themselves pitted against each other - to fight until death.
What an irony of fate!

Seems like the story of Manmohan Desai film based on the "lost n found" funda.
Thats where the similarity ends.
The two brothers in question arent Amar, Akbar or Anthony - but they are two tigers - yes, two tigers living somewhere in Cambodia in the 1930s.

One grows up in a circus, learning tricks from the ring master.
The other grows up in the local prince's private zoo.

And when they look into each others' eyes in the fighting arena and realize their relationship, they unite to escape from their caged lives - helping each other on their way to freedom.
No words are spoken between the two brothers - it is just the look in the eyes, the shallow gnarls and loud roars, the majestic walk, the aesthetic acrobatics while jumping over fire, the cuddling and gentle pushes - that impresses you with the love and admiration that the brothers share with each other.

A movie that is certainly very different from the usual stuff that comes on TV. Especially for a person like me who has not yet seen a tiger in the wild - but only on either TV or in zoos.

**********************************************
He is a young man who continues to impress. He is just 3 movies old - and I have liked all three, but my favorite is the second one, which wasnt as commercially successful as his other two.
The movie in the spotlight - Lakshya.
Every time I catch this movie while surfing the TV, I watch it over n over again.

Is it because of the empathy I feel in the helplessness of Karan Shergill who cannot decide what he wants out of his life - deciding to join the army just because his friend wants to - being influenced by the herd mentality - not sure if that is really what he wants.

Is it because he leaves the IMA feeling frustrated with the discipline and hard work that he is not used to, only to come back again since he feels that it is the only way to restore some self-respect and also his fair share of respect from his own father;

Or is it how his relationship with Romi evolves. The moment when they look at each other under the shellings with my favorite song from the movie in the background,

Kyun Poori Ho Na Paayee Daastan...
Kaise Aayee Hain Aisi Dooriyan...
Kitni Baatein Yaad Aati Hain..
Tasverein Si Ban Jaati Hain..
Main Kaise Inhein Bhoolon..
Dil Ko Kya Samjhaon...

Or is it the sublime moment when he realizes what he finally wants in life.
When he sets a goal for himself.
A goal that is not just personally satisfying, but tests his strengths and stretches his limits beyond the farthest. A goal that helps him redefine his relationship with Romi; with his father; and more importantly with himself.

FA's other two movies are fabulous too. But this one stands apart.
A well laid out and taut story; refreshing music by SEL (another favorite of mine); a superlative performance by HR - all others including PZ, AB n others are in supporting roles imho; beautiful cinematography - there are just too many reasons for me to make me watch this movie over n over n over again.

**********************************************

Two movies that I watched recently on TV.
One new, and the other oft repeated.
Loved them. Absolutely.