Director: Samir Karnik

Cast: Sohail Khan, Salman Khan, Preity Zinta, Dino Morea, Mithun, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Vatsal Sheth, Dwij Yadav and Monish Behl, Hrishitta Bhatt, Amrita Arora and Riya Sen in special appearances.

Rating: 3 on 5

If you have seen the promos of Heroes on TV, it looks like a dated movie. I thought Heroes would be a run of the mill boring drama full of rona dhona. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised and left the theatre smiling.

Ali aka Nawab Saab (Vatsal) and Sameer aka Saand (Sohail) are best buddies who have flunked their film school exams so need to make a movie in order to graduate. Their friend Priya (Amrita) introduces them to her war journalist cousin (Monish Behl) who tells them that they should deliver some letters to soldiers' families and they will get the content they need for their film and it would be an adventurous journey for them.


Our not-so-aimless souls set off from Indore to the scenic locales of Punjab, Himachal and Leh delivering the letters and making a film on 'why not to join the Indian Forces'. They are moved by the people they meet: the bereaved family of army man Balkar Singh (Salman), Vikram Shergill (Sunny) who has lost his brother DJ(Bobby) and Dr. Naqvi who has lost his son Sahil (Dino).

I liked the first two stories a lot. Preity looks like a quintessential sardarni and her Punjabi is perfect. The minimal make up look suits her. This is her best performance in a long time. Salman Khan's Punjabi is good too and he has delivered in a serious role after a long time. Dwij Yadav who plays their son is adorable. The story draws you to tears at certain points like the one with Preity crying for Salman and the kite flying at the border scene is sure to give you patriotic goose bumps.

Sunny Deol's character Vikram is colourful and he is perfectly cast as the proud former Air Force Squadron leader with an infectious joie de vivre. The fight scene at the club is impressive but you wonder how he escapes without any bruises. Bobby Deol is good too.


In the last story about a father grieving his son's death, starts off well and brings you to tears but somehow doesn't click as it progresses. Dino is strictly ok and thank God he isn't on screen for a long time. Mithun is effective.

Sohail is turning out to be a fine actor and is following his bro's footsteps as far as going topless is concerned. Vatsal Sheth is very likeable.

The cinematography is brilliant making the gorgeous locations of Leh, Himachal and Punjab come alive. See you don't need to step out of India to for pristine locales. Samir Karnik has finally arrived after debacles like Nanhe Jaisalmer and Kyun Ho Gaya Na.

The background score of the film is fantastic but some songs are unnecessary. Manatta is typical yet nice. The pace slackens in the last story. Predictably, after they finish filming the two are influenced enough to join the forces but Destiny has other plans. The reason why Jassi Singh (Salman's son) cuts his hair is rather filmy. Riya Sen needs to tone up.

Overall, certain scenes move you to tears and the patriotism isn't preachy or boring. You empathise with all the familes you have lost their loved ones and feel pride for your country. Not your usual meaningless masala film, watch Heroes and be pleasantly surprised.