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By Taran Adarsh, July 25, 2008 - 12:29 IST
 Terrorism is a global issue and varied film-makers
across the globe continue to make
movies/documentaries/short films that expose the
ghastly face and effects of terrorism. Apoorva
Lakhia charters that path as well in MISSION
ISTAANBUL.
In MISSION ISTAANBUL, there's an Osama replica,
bunkers in Afghanistan where he is supposedly
hiding, also a television channel that telecasts
exclusive footage from the terrorists [its called Al
Johara here], a George Bush lookalike… Lakhia seems
to have incorporated snippets and vignettes from
real-life to celluloid in an effort to make the
goings-on relatable and believable.
But, somewhere in between, the fight against
terrorism becomes too Bollywoodish as the two heroes
eliminate an entire army of terrorists and put an
end to the nefarious activities of a TV channel. And
that's difficult to gulp!
Perhaps, Lakhia's intentions are right, to make a
hard-hitting film that marries realism and fiction
beautifully, but the writing indulges in too many
cinematic liberties and that's precisely why MISSION
ISTAANBUL goes off target.
However, lovers of action fares are in for a treat,
since the stunts, action and chase sequences in
MISSION ISTAANBUL are truly captivating. Sure, a few
sequences aren't for the faint-hearted, but you
can't help but put your hands together for these
sequences and the men behind those death-defying
stunts.
All said, MISSION ISTAANBUL goes off target!
Vikas [Zayed Khan] is one of the most promising
journalists in the country. Owais [Suniel Shetty],
who heads a controversial Istanbul-based news
channel Al Johara, makes him an offer to head the
channel. This offer comes at a time when Vikas is
undergoing a divorce with his wife Anjali [Shriya
Saran].
 But little does Vikas know that the decision will
change his life forever. Owais is killed and Turkish
commando Rizwan [Vivek Oberoi] tells Vikas that if
he decides to quit as well, he would be bumped off
as well. In a place where the gun has the last
laugh, will a journalist survive or will he fall
prey like many others?
MISSION ISTAANBUL unravels at a feverish pace and
that's most important for a thriller. The story
travels from India to Turkey to Afghanistan to
Turkey again, in the very first hour. The characters
are well-established, the script is laced with
incidents that seem straight out of newspapers.
Coupled with Lakhia's execution, top notch
cinematography and stylish action, the film begins
to grow as reel after reel unspools.
But, alas, the film goes for a toss in the second
hour. Things actually stagnate as the two heroes
turn into super-heroes and combat an army of
villains on land, sea and air. By the way, they
don't get bruised even once! Lakhia and writer
Suresh Nair seem to have substituted action for
content and that's the most glaring flaw. In fact,
you feel that Lakhia and Nair must've decided to go
on a vacation in the second hour, entrusting the
responsibility on the stunt directors to conclude
the second hour.
There's not much scope for music in the film, but in
terms of composition, just one track -- 'Jo Gumshuda'
-- is easy on your ears. The Abhishek Bachchan track
is such a waste. Even the tune is completely
forgettable. Gururaj R.J.'s cinematography is top
notch. Action, as mentioned earlier, is the hallmark
of the enterprise.
 Both Vivek and Zayed come up with competent
performances. Vivek does a fine job, essaying his
part with ease. But why does he sport a smirk on his
face most of the times? The director could've
avoided that! Zayed is equally charged. In fact, you
witness a new Zayed in this film, the renewed
confidence shows. Shriya Saran is wasted. Shweta
Bhardwaj does well in stunts, but wears one
expression all through.
Suniel Shetty [sp. app.] is as usual. Nikitin Dheer
is effective. First JODHAA AKBAR, now MISSION
ISTAANBUL, this boy's going from strength to
strength. Shabbir Ahluwalia is another talent that
needs to be tapped by film-makers. He's very good!
On the whole, MISSION ISTAANBUL rests on action and
only action to salvage the show. But that's not
enough. At the box-office, this mission won't work!
Rating * 1/2
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