Preview: Kabul Express
Directed by Kabir Khan and produced by Yash Raj films, Kabul Express is a thrilling adventure story in the tumultuous setting of post 9/11 Afghanistan.
The tyranny of the Taliban rule has been overthrown by America and the Taliban are trying to escape to Pakistan. Suhel Khan (JohnAbraham) and Jai Kapoor (ArshadWarsi) are two Indian TV journalists in the pursuit of an interview with a Taliban. JessicaBeckham (LindaArsenio) is an American photo-journalist prepared to take on all hazards to take pictures of the Taliban. Imran Khan Afridi (SalmanShahid) is a Taliban soldier fleeing the fury of the Afghan to his homeland Pakistan. Khyber is one righteous Afghan, a witness of the devastation of Afghanistan in the hands of the Taliban down the years. Khyber acts as the guide and translator to Suhel and Jai and drives them around in his Toyota Jeep which he calls ‘Kabul Express’.
A series of adventures ensues. Suhel and Jai are blindfolded and taken to surreptitious hiding places of the Taliban prisoners, and are saved by Jessica from getting trampled by horses while shooting a game of Buzkashi. But they do not meet the object of their quest, the Taliban. Then one morning, they are kidnapped at gunpoint by Imran, an absconding Taliban soldier. He is aware that being journalists, Suhel and Jai can move about freely within Afghanistan without being questioned. He knows how vehemently the Afghans abhor the Taliban and that if the Afghans get hold of him, he will be macerated. So he wishes to escape to Pakistan in the guise of the local guide of the journalists.
Thus begins a 48 hours’ journey from Kabul to the Afghan frontier. Suhel and Jai’s expedition becomes an outlandish experience as captives made to drive the Kabul Express across the most perilous nation in modern world. Jessica incorrectly assumes that they are on to some big scoop and chases them, and ends up being taken hostage by Imran as well.
Despite of their conflicting backgrounds, a unique bond develops among the two Indians, the American, the Afghan and the Taliban, as they act as a team to survive in hostile situations. The climactic denouement sees Jai, Suhel and Jessica actually helping Imran reach to safety.
Te film is slated to release in India on 15th December, 2006.
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