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An international experience

Film: Shoot on sight

Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri

Direction: Jagmohan Mundhra

While a few Muslims across the globe may contemplate on fleeing to an Islamic country to escape the staring eyes of distrust from their own neighbours, especially after the 9/11 bombings, this film gives them a reason to think why they shouldn’t do so.

Produced by Aron Govil and directed by Jagmohan Mundhra, “Shoot on Sight” is truly an international experience with an Indian flavour. A flavour that is well spiced up by the stunning performances of Naseeruddin Shah as a commander in the British police force,

Om Puri as a fundamentalist imam Junaid and Gulshan Grover as an upmarket mutton seller Yunus. Based on the real story of the Operation Kratos launched by the London police in the wake of the July 7, 2007 tube station bombings, the film asks simple questions that have been raised earlier too – that is, should Muslims be always suspected? Are they making bombs in their kitchens? Can a a Muslim police officer in uniform be biased? Its shows how a Muslim suspects the other Muslim and how if a foreigner rightly suspects an influenced ‘jehadi’ he/she is taken as either a ‘racist’ or a ‘firang’ with preconceived notions.

The film balances the finer points of ‘gora’ and ‘kala’ mentality in London.

Greta Schacchi as Shah’s wife appeals immensely though Mikal Zulfiqaar as the influenced jehadi Zaheer is a weak link despite having a substantial role. From Abshishek Ray’s melodious title track to Parvaiz Alam’s crisp dialogue,

Carl Austin’s tight screenplay to faultless editing and Madhu Ambat’s cinematography, this film made on a budget of four million pounds gives you hardly any time to relax. It just spares a few thoughts!

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