Kabul Express

Afghanistan, November 10 2002. Two Indian journalists, Suhel and Jai (John Abraham and Arshad Warsi) and their Afghani driver (Hanif Hum Ghum) try to reach Kabul to interview the remaining Talibanis. En route, they encounter a war-weary American reporter (Linda Arsenio) and get kidnapped by Afridi (Salman Shahid), a Taliban soldier who insists they take him to the safety of the Pakistani border… Of course, initial hostilities turn to friendship that changes their lives forever. Since this is essentially a Bollywood movie – it was produced by the largest studio – do not expect a ‘Kandahar’-style exploration of the region’s post-9/11 political complexities. Opening with sombre footage of the planes crashing into the Twin Towers, Khan switches to a generally light-hearted approach, with predictable jokes such as female journalist Jessica Beckham being asked if she plays football. The acting is laughably earnest and current hunk Abraham actually keeps his shirt on. Only the cinematography of a stunningly beautiful landscape ravaged by war comes close to making this unroadworthy vehicle a mildly memorable journey.