veer zaara movie review

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Common sense media reviewers.

Bollywood forbidden love tale with song, dance, drama.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

There's no way to miss this film's goal to

Veer really does do anything for love -- giving up

Two buses go off cliffs at different times, one wi

Bollywood usually forbids kisses in movies, but th

"Hell" is uttered a half-dozen times and

A wife chides her husband for drinking rum, takes

Parents need to know that Veer-Zaara -- a Bollywood movie featuring India's hottest stars -- will draw in American fans of star-crossed romance as well as those who love great dancing and costumes. The singing and dancing segments are fine viewing for tweens (they'll see a rum bottle in one song and near…

Positive Messages

There's no way to miss this film's goal to show Indians and Pakistanis how alike they are when it comes to love of family, integrity, and honor -- despite all the political and religious strife the two countries experience. There's also a plea for the education of women and giving women greater respect in male-dominated professions. Two lawyers spar over whether it's best to fight to win or fight for the truth.

Positive Role Models

Veer really does do anything for love -- giving up his identity for 22 years to protect Zaara. Zaara starts as a spoiled, fun-loving only child who turns out to be just as selfless when she respects her nanny's dying wish and tries to fulfill what she considers to be her duty to others.

Violence & Scariness

Two buses go off cliffs at different times, one with no survivors and the other where all passengers are rescued by helicopter. Veer is shown rescuing stranded skiers as well. Veer dreams of Zaara and wakes when he imagines a gunshot. Zaara's father nearly dies of dishonor (it's a melodrama), shown in bed barely speaking. Zaara's elderly nanny dies quietly in bed and her ashes are laid to rest in a religious ceremony on a river. A teacher chases a child with a switch.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Bollywood usually forbids kisses in movies, but there are plenty of near-misses, lots and lots of passionate glances, and a dream sequence where the top of Zaara's nightgown is caressed, exposing some skin -- surely implying more than a kiss would.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

"Hell" is uttered a half-dozen times and "ass" once.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

A wife chides her husband for drinking rum, takes the bottle away publicly, and then Veer takes a swig.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Veer-Zaara -- a Bollywood movie featuring India's hottest stars -- will draw in American fans of star-crossed romance as well as those who love great dancing and costumes. The singing and dancing segments are fine viewing for tweens (they'll see a rum bottle in one song and near-kisses and shoulders bared in another), but they probably won't sit through the rest. The third act especially is dominated by weighty themes. Those who watch can't miss the pleas for understanding and peace between India and Pakistan or the film's strong support of equality for women. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

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What's the Story?

Told in flashback from a Pakistani jail cell, VEER-ZAARA introduces young, female human rights lawyer Saamiya Siddiqui ( Rani Mukerji ) who's determined to free Veer Pratap Singh ( Shah Rukh Khan ), an Indian prisoner who has remained silent and nameless for 22 years. Saamiya somehow knows Veer's name, which finally gets him talking: His life as an Indian air force rescue pilot changes dramatically when he meets Zaara (Preity Zinta), a Pakistani girl who crosses the border alone to fulfill her Indian nanny's dying wish to have her ashes taken to her homeland. Veer falls for Zaara the moment he rescues her from a bus crash and eventually compels her to visit his family's village for the festival of Lodi. After a night of dancing and celebration, Veer's uncle urges him to woo her before she hops on a train home. But Veer loses his nerve when she's met at the station by her fiance. Zaara is determined to do her duty to her family and forge a political alliance with her marriage, but can't get Veer out of her head as she prepares for the wedding. Seeing her torment, Zaara's maid Shabbo (Divya Dutta) calls Veer and urges him to cross into Pakistan. Despite what it may cost him, he doesn't hesitate.

Is It Any Good?

If Veer-Zaara stuck to the intense romance and the fantastic soundtrack, this Bollywood feature would have had a real shot at some Hollywood bucks. Especially when you add in the head-turning star power of Shah Ruhk Khan and Preity Zinta. But most Americans will have a hard time making it through act three's never-ending court scene and will find the long speeches about peace and understanding between nations more heavy-handed than poignant -- important sentiments certainly, but way overstated here. And then there's Zaara's dad almost literally dying of dishonor -- that's melodrama for you.

Back to the singing and dancing: when Veer sings about beautiful Northern India you'll want to visit immediately. We see saris in a stunning array of bright colors dot miles of lush fields and a village carnival bursts into merry celebration. Shortly after, Indian icon Amitabh Bachchan makes a great cameo in a raucous Lodi festival number. Just try to keep from getting up and dancing along. Even the slower love songs will hold viewers, especially as Zaara dreams about seeing Veer everywhere while she prepares for her wedding. You'll be as hypnotized as Zaara and tempted to wish the movie would never end. But careful what you wish for.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about their favorite love stories. Do you like against-all-odds drama? Or do you prefer romance mixed with comedy? Do you like it when the actors are big stars (Khan and Zinta are superstars in India)?

For teens and up, what did you learn about Indian-Pakistani relations? Where can you find out more?

This Bollywood movie tried very hard to show what makes Indians and Pakistanis the same. Can you think of any Hollywood movies that try to convey similar messages about peace and understanding?

Movie Details

• In theaters : November 12, 2004
• On DVD or streaming : June 6, 2005
• Cast : Preity Zinta , Rani Mukerji , Shah Rukh Khan
• Director : Yash Chopra
• Inclusion Information : Female actors, Indian/South Asian actors
• Studio : Yash Raj Films
• Genre : Romance
• Topics : Arts and Dance , Music and Sing-Along
• Run time : 192 minutes
• MPAA rating : NR
• Last updated : October 6, 2022

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